BULK HANDLING
NEWS BRUKS SIWERTELL CUSTOMER MAGAZINE ISSUE 2/2019
24 Operator feedback:
Siwertell ship unloader delivers on all counts
Contents
Unmatched biomass expertise When it comes to the biomass trade, Bruks Siwertell Group’s processing and handling knowledge is unmatched on the market; adding value for customers at every link in the chain (page 20). 2 Bulk Handling News 2/2019
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ON SOCIAL MEDIA
Editorial 04
News in brief
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Weight: invisible, not insignificant
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Hopper upgrades can offer more than dust control
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Floating on air: new conveyor technology bypasses traditional limits
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Save money, plan maintenance stops
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Start-up of turn-key system takes modernized mill into new era
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Valuable opportunities, hidden in waste
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Growing grain import needs met by new Siwertell unloader
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Our people: Rafael Escamilla
Bulk Handling News is a customer magazine for the dry bulk handling industry Publisher: Siwertell AB, P.O. Box 566 Gunnarstorp, SE-26725 Bjuv, Sweden Editors: Emily Brækhus Cueva (emily.cueva@siwertell.com), Malin Pekberg (malin.pekberg@siwertell.com), Lindsay Gilliland (lgd@bruks.com) Editorial assistant: Anette Andersson (anette.andersson@siwertell.com) Layout and production: Camilla Hoffmann, Metamorf Design Group AB Cover: Bruks Siwertell Printed by: Tryckaren Engelholm The opinions expressed by the authors or individuals interviewed do not necessarily represent the views of Bruks Siwertell.
ABOUT BRUKS SIWERTELL GROUP Bruks Siwertell is a market-leading supplier of dry bulk handling and wood processing systems. With thousands of installations worldwide, our machines handle raw materials from forests, fields, quarries and mines, maintaining critical supply lines for manufacturers, mills, power plants and ports.
Sustainable systems serve every link in the supply chain Dear reader, We are changing the face of the dry bulk industry by setting new standards in sustainability and environmental protection. As a market-leader, we must assume environmental guardianship and use our sustainability goals to ensure that our deliveries are as efficient and protective of the environment as possible and contribute to the sustainability of the industry as a whole. Demands in dry bulk trades are growing in line with rising populations. We are well-positioned for this growth, with our products serving global supply chains from forests, fields, quarries and mines, through to manufacturing, mills, power plants and ports. As power companies explore sustainable methods to meet rising energy demands, our expertise and technology, developed over decades of dry bulk handling and wood processing, are put to excellent use in the bioenergy sector (page 20). For example, Bruks Siwertell Group solutions serve the sustainable harvesting of US forests through to pellet production, vessel loading and unloading, right up to storing and reclaiming this biomass to feed the boilers of the UK’s largest renewable power facility, Drax. Throughout this issue you can read how our systems offer sound commercial advantages. The first installation of our latest conveying technology, ‘The Belt ConveyorTM’, is complete and promises to reduce operating and maintenance costs for Packaging Corporation of America’s highest-volume mill in Tennessee (page 18). Meanwhile, another feature outlines the cost savings offered by lightweight bulk handling systems (page 8). These and other articles about new deliveries, effective service strategies and upgrades can be found within this issue of Bulk Handling News.
We design, produce and deliver systems for loading, unloading, conveying, storing, and stacking and reclaiming dry bulk materials, alongside equipment for chipping, screening, milling and processing wood for the biofuel, board, sawmill, pulp and paper industries. An extensive global service team offers support to Bruks Siwertell customers whenever and wherever it is needed. bruks-siwertell.com
Peter Jonsson Group CEO Bulk Handling News 2/2019 3
NEWS in brief
Industry award for environmental protection Bruks Siwertell has been recognized as making a positive contribution to environmental protection and sustainability, winning this year’s well-respected International Bulk Journal (IBJ) Environmental Protection Award. The award acknowledges the organization that has made a material contribution to reducing pollution either in and around dry bulk ports or at sea. “We are passionate about environmental protection, and are delighted to have this recognized through the IBJ awards,” says Emily Brækhus Cueva, Director of Marketing Communications, Bruks Siwertell Group.
conveyors with the four key elements for environmental protection: minimal spillage, no dust creation, low noise levels, and some of the highest efficiency rates on the market, minimizing fuel consumption demands. This makes our installations friendly to the environment that surrounds them, to the people working directly on site, as well as to the people and animals living within close proximity. “Environmental sustainability must be a core element within our industry,” she adds. “For example, we are watching the world shift to find the best solution for sustainable energy production, and believe that it is important that equipment suppliers, like us, are able to adapt, develop and deliver systems that best support the use of renewable resources.” This year’s award ceremony was held on 25th November at the Grand Elysee hotel, Hamburg, Germany and attended by several hundred guests from across the world. Receiving the award on behalf of Bruks Siwertell was Marketing Manager, Malin Pekberg, Service Coordinator, Johanna Strandmark, and Sales Manager, Bo Ljung.
“We know that, on the face of it, the dry bulk handling industry may not immediately generate the image of environmental guardianship. However, there are pioneers within every industry, and ours is no exception.
Douglas Pellets calls for repeat truck dump equipment order
“At Bruks Siwertell, we strive to ensure that our machines positively contribute to pollution reduction within the sectors that they serve,” Ms Brækhus Cueva continues. “As part of our wide portfolio, we deliver ship unloaders, loaders and
Douglas Pellets LLCA has contracted Bruks Siwertell to supply a back-on truck dump receiving system, which will be used to efficiently unload dry peanut hulls at the company’s facility in Pearson, Georgia, in the US. It is planned for delivery in January 2020. Bruks Siwertell has supplied various truck dumpers as well as chippers and other equipment to Douglas Pellets’ network of pellet plants and sawmills in Georgia. “The contract demonstrates the strength of Bruks Siwertell’s business relationship with Douglas Pellets as a preferred supplier and the trust that it has in our equipment and services,” says Bruks Siwertell Americas Area Sales Manager, Christopher Duffy. “We are delighted that Douglas Pellets has opted to continue this partnership and we hope to support its continued growth in the coming years.”
From left: Job Van Den Kraft, Commercial Manager, Energy, Port of Amsterdam (award sponsor); Bruks Siwertell representatives Johanna Strandmark, Service Coordinator, Bo Ljung, Sales Manager, and Malin Pekberg, Marketing Manager; and Ray Girvan, IBJ Publisher and Owner
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The new contract calls for Bruks Siwertell to supply a back-on truck dumper with a receiving hopper and dust collector. The system comprises a platform and a set of hydraulic cylinders used to lift the entire truck and allow the free-flowing cargo to dump out of the back of its trailer and into the receiving hopper.
The new truck dumper will have the capacity to unload dry peanut hulls at a rate up to 85t/h. Once they have been unloaded the peanut hulls will later be compressed into pellet form. In addition to the back-on type of truck dumper ordered by Douglas Pellets, Bruks Siwertell’s unique truck unloading portfolio also includes a drive-over version. “Chip trucks are used throughout North America as an efficient and flexible way to transport pellets, hogged fuel, wood chips and other cargoes,” Mr Duffy explains. “Our truck dumper systems are by far the most effective method for receiving materials and are relied upon throughout the North American wood products industry.”
Yara takes Siwertell ship unloader to the world’s furthest reaches Bruks Siwertell has completed the on-time installation and successful performance tests of a new 600t/h Siwertell ship unloader at Yara International’s Norwegian fertilizer terminal in Glomfjord; five kilometers into the Arctic Circle and home to some of the most tightly-controlled environs in the world. “Yara International is very satisfied and impressed that, just 18 months from the order being placed, it now has a new machine up and running and meeting the stringent environmental standards of the company and the site, without a single day of delay,” says Peter Goransson, Sales Manager and Senior Advisor, Siwertell. Delivered from Bruks Siwertell’s southern-European production facility and transported fully-assembled via heavy-lift ship, the Siwertell ST 490-M ship unloader has been successfully mounted onto its rails and intensive training and commissioning work is now complete. It is already being used to offload various types of rock phosphate from vessels of up to 20,000 dwt and will also handle potash fertilizers.
Industrial activities in these areas are therefore under intense environmental scrutiny. Yara’s production plant, the world’s northernmost fertilizer facility, is no exception and comprises four production units. It also has its own harbor with installations for unloading ammonia, as well as storage, packaging and dispatch systems for fertilizer products. “In a country that leads the world in environmental legislation, it is little wonder that Yara took the future-proof step of making Siwertell screw-type ship unloaders its equipment of choice – especially for handling sensitive dry bulk material like phosphates,” notes Mr Goransson. “The Siwertell screw-type ship unloader was not only chosen for its ability to safely handle these materials, and for its environmental credentials, which include high levels of efficiency, and a totally-enclosed conveyor system, eliminating dust emissions and spillage, but also for its impressive through-ship capacity,” he says. “We are delighted to have once again been Yara’s choice for this uniquely demanding application,” he adds. “We look forward to continuing our long and fruitful collaboration.”
“Yara is well aware that it can expect a lifespan of many decades from its new unloader, thanks to a previous Siwertell installation for the company that has been in service since 1980,” continues Mr Goransson. “It also knows that it can trust the operational and environmental performance of Siwertell technology.” The Glomfjord site is exposed to prevailing high winds, as well as very cold temperatures. It is subject to stringent environmental legislation, which protects the coastline from harmful emissions from shipping, and must also meet enhanced regulations by virtue of being within the Arctic Circle.
A newly installed 600t/h Siwertell ship unloader handles fertilizers for Yara International in Glomfjord; five kilometers into the Arctic Circle
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NEWS in brief Ashdod is Israel’s largest sea port in terms of cargo volumes and is a major gateway for the State of Israel. The new Siwertell ship unloader has been ordered as part of the port’s major expansion plans. It will be rail-mounted and used to discharge sulfur and pet coke at continuous rated capacities of 600t/h and 500t/h, respectively, from vessels up to 60,000 dwt.
Safe sulfur handling secured for Israel’s largest port Ashdod Port Company Ltd has ordered a Siwertell ST 490-M screw-type ship unloader destined to serve Israel’s largest sea port. A fundamental requirement of the port was environmental protection; the totally-enclosed Siwertell unloader was the only system that could meet the standard and also offer safe, highcapacity through-ship performance. “Ashdod Port Company chose Siwertell technology to secure its substantial and growing dry bulk cargo volumes for a number of reasons,” explains Bertil Andersson, Siwertell Sales Manager. “Most significantly, our Siwertell unloaders are the only proven solution for safe, enclosed and continuous sulfur unloading. They also meet the port’s strict environmental requirements, handling materials without dust or spillage.”
Although a valuable and widely used commodity, sulfur is highly toxic, volatile and corrosive. For these reasons, it is environmentally unacceptable for it to be spilled during unloading. However, its containment increases the likelihood of ‘hot spots’ creating the potential to explode and cause fires. “We know how to deal with these dangers,” notes Mr Andersson. “Our sulfur-handling ship unloaders have been supplied to the market for over 30 years. All these units are fitted with the Siwertell Sulfur Safety System (4S), which detects and extinguishes fires early, shutting down the system to stop their spread, and safely containing them before they can become a full-blown blaze. To contain explosions, steel casings are reinforced and explosion-venting valves are fitted along the conveyors to relieve pressure.” Ashdod’s bulk terminal operates 24 hours a day and the new ship unloader is destined to serve this facility. It will be built and transported fully-assembled via heavy-lift vessel for installation at the port. Delivery is scheduled for April 2021. In a further announcement, the company has also ordered a new Siwertell 15 000 S road-mobile ship unloader. The fully-enclosed unit will offer a rated capacity of 350t/h for the continuous discharge of sulfur from vessels up to 15,000 dwt. It is planned for delivery in September 2020.
Siwertell unloader delivered to new agribulk terminal in Mexico Gramosa Agroalimentos SA has taken delivery of a high-capacity Siwertell ship unloader. It was ordered in 2018 to ensure efficient, environment-friendly and careful material handling for Gramosa Agroalimentos’s new agri-bulk terminal in Veracruz, Mexico. “The unloader was chosen after out-performing all competitor systems during a four-month selection process,” highlighted Patrik Henryson, Sales Manager, Bruks Siwertell. The new rail-mounted Siwertell ST 640-M unloader is totallyenclosed and offers the terminal a continuous rated capacity of 1,200t/h. Its seamless flexibility enables it to handle a number of different grains such as corn, rice, wheat, soya beans and canola seeds without any loss of efficiency or cargo quality. At the time of the order, Gramosa Agroalimentos said that it chose a Siwertell unloader because of its performance across multiple grains: “Other systems on the market did not compare. 6 Bulk Handling News 2/2019
“The conveying speed of the Siwertell screw-type unloader means that the grain is not damaged during handling, which will give us added value and differentiate us from our competition,” said Gramosa Agroalimentos. “The Siwertell system was selected after considering many factors and multiple equipment comparisons. Analysis included operating principles and mechanisms, investment costs, as well as operating costs.” The new unloader was delivered fully-assembled from China via heavy-lift ship in October 2019 and will be tested and commissioned on site in Veracruz Port by Bruks Siwertell when required.
NEWS in brief
New ship loader contract from Martin Operating Partnership
A new ship loader capable of safely and reliably handling sulfur prill at high capacities has been ordered by Martin Operating Partnership, in Beaumont, Texas. “There can be no greater endorsement than repeat business,” says Ken Upchurch, Vice President Sales and Marketing, Bruks Siwertell Americas. “Martin Operating Partnership returns to Bruks Siwertell as a trusted and reliable partner, and we are delighted to renew our strong 15-year business relationship with them.
South Texas Cement terminal takes delivery of new Siwertell unloader South Texas Cement’s terminal in the US port of Corpus Christi is a step closer to achieving high-capacity cement unloading with the recent delivery of a Siwertell ST 640-M screw-type ship unloader. Ordered in 2018 by US-based GCCM Holdings LCC after an extensive decision-making process, the Siwertell unloader was found to be the best fit for the cement handling operation. It was delivered fully-assembled by heavy-lift ship to the port in October. Once the operator is ready, Bruks Siwertell will oversee its testing and commissioning, with the unit expected into operation in the near future.
“This trusted position, our proven technological capabilities and our commitment to deliver the loader within the space of nine months were all factors that secured the contract,” he adds. The new rail-travelling loader is ideal for terminals where space is at a premium, as it is capable of filling every hold on a ship without requiring the vessel to move along its berth. It will be used for loading prilled sulfur into ship holds at a rated capacity of up to 1,200t/h. Martin Operating Partnership, owned by Martin Midstream Partnership, handles various sulfur cargoes. The prilled sulfur, often used for agricultural applications, can be stored and loaded in open air; however, minimizing sulfur dust emissions was a key concern for the company. The fully-enclosed ship loader’s conveyors, as well as its dust suppression systems, ensure environmental protection. The new machine is scheduled for delivery as early as January 2020 and will support the company’s expanding sulfur services in the US Gulf Coast region.
“When combining all of the deciding factors that led to choosing a mechanical unloader, it was apparent that Siwertell was the best fit for our needs,” said a spokesperson for GCCM Holdings and South Texas Cement at the time of the order. “We especially like the high rate of unloading combined with the versatility to handle various ship sizes.” “The factors considered by GCCM and South Texas Cement during the decision process included unloading times, venting requirements, electrical demand, capital and lifetime maintenance costs, ship size, and storage capacity,” added Patrik Henryson, Sales Manager, Bruks Siwertell. “Once operational, the unloader will not disappoint.” Siwertell ship unloaders have set cement industry standards for decades, offering some of the highest unloading and loading capacities available on the market. The new fully-enclosed unloader will offer the terminal a continuous rated cement-handling capacity of 1,500t/h, unloading ships up to 60,000 dwt. Bulk Handling News 2/2019 7
Ship unloading
Weight: invisible, not insignificant
Jetty reinforcements to accommodate heavy bulk handling equipment can easily correspond to fifty percent of the cost of the actual equipment; a powerful reason why operators should consider lightweight machines text JUHA HUOVIL AINEN photos BRUKS SIWERTELL AND STUDIO E
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s throughput demands grow in ports, operators have to make the most of their available quay space and cannot easily increase their number, or alongside length. More often than not, any newly-built quay areas must also be more strongly constructed than their older counterparts, and at considerably greater cost. The reason is simple: weight. In fact, though it is impossible to see, machinery weight can be the make-or-break element in a dry bulk jetty construction. Not only the sheer level of equipment weight, but the manner and footprint over which it is distributed all have a significant impact.
When rails cannot be installed on the quay, operators have a choice of Siwertell port-mobile unloaders
Heavier the weight, higher the costs
Heavy machinery can attract big-ticket engineering costs in the form of steel reinforcements. As higher capacities are needed, dry bulk material handling systems like cranes and continuous unloaders must either get larger or more numerous – in both cases, adding weight to the jetty. Therefore, during the planning phase of an installation, it is crucial that the weight of equipment and its corresponding systems is care-fully considered to ensure that any new or existing jetty is strong enough to withstand the extreme loads associated with a dry bulk handling operation. Reducing any additional machine weight is advantageous for customers and manufacturers. For the customer, not only can significant savings be made in terms of the need for quay reinforcement works, but also, a proportionately higher-throughput machine can be selected for a given strength of quay, delivering impressive returns on investment and securing capacity for any future growth.
Lighter machines offer better value
For the manufacturer, it reduces the intrinsic cost of the machine, eliminating any unnecessary metal work or components and increasing the flexibility of the product as it is suitable for a larger number of locations, even where quay space is tight and lacks suitable reinforcement.
“Customers are always glad of the opportunity to choose a lighter unloader,” says Juha Huovilainen, Sales Director, Bruks Siwertell. “It usually offers much better all-around value through cost savings on quay developments and through an increase in capacity, both ultimately mean that operators get more for their money. “Add to that, the fact that our continuous screw-type Siwertell unloaders have been specially engineered to be lighter than other systems in their capacity class, it makes equal sense to go for a higher-capacity unloader,” Mr Huovilainen continues. “Higher through-ship capacities, coupled with cost savings, are always welcome at ports, especially as demand across many dry bulk trades is increasing.”
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If an operator chooses to invest in a Siwertell screwtype unloader, it automatically selects a lower weight system compared with alternatives”
The most straightforward way to address the pressure of weight on a port is to choose the lightest type of equipment. Today’s dry bulk material handling market is characterized by competing technologies, but bucket chain systems and grab cranes have dominated, and many of these types of machines are still used today. These unloaders are characterized by large surface areas of unspecialized metal, which increases weight.
The gantry for rail-mounted Siwertell unloaders fits onto relatively narrow rails, again reducing weight
For example, bucket chain systems have as many as 50 sturdy metal buckets, which have to be hoisted through a large vertical cylinder, wide enough in diameter to accommodate them. Half of these, in turn, are carrying a load as they are raised. All this weight requires a considerable counterweight to match the extraordinary load of the system. A grab crane, meanwhile, is little better. To develop a system
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A Siwertell unloader is lighter, smaller and can handle higher volumes than a bucket chain or grab crane of equivalent size and weight
of any kind of scale and throughput, a huge grab bucket must be implemented. The higher the throughput, the larger and more cumbersome the bucket – its scale, and that of the necessary support systems to hoist and balance it, all increase exponentially with size. Bruks Siwertell’s mechanical screw-type unloaders, however, are different. With a counter-rotating inlet feeder operating at a continuous rated capacity, the unloader’s cargo handling throughput is not dependent on the size, or number, of buckets or containers. It is therefore able to transfer large volumes of cargo with higher through-ship efficiency than these other types of machines. With one straightforward mechanical motion and a counterweight to balance the screw-type conveyor arm, the number of moving parts and the over-all weight of the system is reduced.
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Port operators can reduce operating and capital costs by choosing any Siwertell unloader over competing technologies” Maximizing return on investment
If an operator chooses to invest in a Siwertell screw-type unloader, it automatically selects a lower weight system compared with other available alternatives, meaning the cost of quay reinforcements can be omitted in the majority of cases, as much as halving overall investment costs. The advantages do not stop here. A Siwertell unloader offers other benefits when it comes to the dynamics of weight distribution on the quay as well.
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Compared with other systems, including grab cranes and bucket chain systems, the Siwertell unloader has a smaller physical footprint. This is because the fundamental elements of the system are smaller in diameter. As a result, the gantry for rail-mounted versions fits onto relatively narrow rails, again reducing weight and leaving more quay space open and gangways clear, which is vital for maintaining high port productivity. “When rails cannot be installed on the quay, operators have a choice of Siwertell port-mobile unloaders,” notes Mr Huovilainen. “Because they can be used independently of rails, turrets and other static quay constructions, they are the ultimate cost-saving device in that respect, and require no reinforcement work either. Port-mobile unloaders can also handle higher cargo throughputs than other competing systems, and can be stored at any time, which maximizes the use of limited revenue-earning quay space. “By choosing any Siwertell unloader over competing technologies, port operators can reduce operating expenditure as well as capital,” he says. “The mechanical screw system is lighter, with a smaller footprint and can handle much higher throughput volumes than a bucket chain or grab crane of equivalent size and weight. Thanks to this, vessels can be discharged faster and spend much less time at berth, resulting in much lower jetty costs.” “Weight is not a concern for every customer, but in areas with aging port infrastructure, it is a key consideration and limitation when planning new unloader investments and bulk material handling activities,” stresses Mr Huovilainen. “If a company is about to invest in a quay development, it may be happy to know there are extremely good unloader options to explore first, which get the best performance out of the infrastructure they have before opting for heavy, conventional and costly alternatives.”
System upgrade
Hopper upgrades
can offer more than dust control
An infeed hopper upgrade for North American pulp and paper mill, Domtar Plymouth, has significantly reduced dust emissions, improved material handling efficiency and strengthened Domtar’s sustainability drive text JASON SCOT T photos BRUKS SIWERTELL
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s well as improving a specific area of focus, machinery upgrades can have far-reaching positive implications for an entire material handling operation. Existing systems can operate more efficiently, gain from an extended service life and provide greater environmental protection. A recent beneficiary of such an upgrade is Domtar Plymouth Mill, large-scale producer of softwood fluff pulp and one of 13 North American pulp and paper mills owned by leading fiberbased products manufacturer, Domtar. Since 2010, Domtar has cut its greenhouse gas emissions by 15 percent. The US corporation continues to prioritize sustainability goals, and in line with this, Domtar Plymouth Mill, based in North Carolina, is building a sustainable future by conserving resources. Through a combination of capital investments and continuous improvement projects, Domtar indicates that its Plymouth Mill is building a sustainable future by increasing energy and resource efficiency. The mill has finalized initiatives to reduce fuel and water consumption, and is looking to reduce environmental impact and improve efficiencies in other processes as well.
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A very satisfied customer
“The new infeed hopper was installed onto the stacker boom and has eliminated the vagrant dust issues entirely, which is not only good for the company, but also the environment,” highlights Mr Scott. “Importantly, it also does not interfere with the boom’s luffing motions or impede the flow of wood chips through the system.” The upgrade project took six weeks from receiving the order to completion in mid-May this year. “The timescales were tight and required 10-hour working days to meet the operational needs of the plant, but it was worth it,” he notes. “Domtar is extremely happy with the results. Fewer personnel are needed to clean the stacker boom and dust emissions have been reduced. The company is so satisfied that it plans to carry out the same upgrade on an identical stacker reclaimer that it has onsite in mid-2020. This speaks volumes.”
More systems could benefit The upgrade eliminates dust build-up over the hopper cover
Upgrades ensure greater sustainability
Earlier in the year, Bruks Siwertell’s Americas division was contacted by Domtar Plymouth Mill for expert input about ways to reduce dust emissions from its large-scale woodfiber stacking and reclaiming system, originally delivered by Rockwood International in 2005; Rockwood was acquired by Bruks in 1998 and has since been absorbed into the wider Bruks Siwertell organization.
Bruks Siwertell offers one of the most comprehensive stacker reclaimer portfolios on the market. “Our knowledge of these systems and the material that they handle means that we can often find solutions to overcome issues that operators are experiencing,” he says. “Our aim is to ensure that they operate in the most efficient and environmentally responsible way. “There are numerous stacker reclaimer systems that are still fitted with their original hoppers, and these could therefore benefit significantly from an infeed hopper upgrade, incorporating our latest design improvements.”
The main issue faced by the company was the excessive production of dust, particularly during luffing movements of the stacker boom. “Dust was building up over the hopper cover, which meant that the operator had to dedicate personnel to continuously clear it,” explains Jason Scott, Service Manager, Bruks Siwertell. “Domtar approached us for a solution as we have a good working relationship and ongoing conversations with the company,” he says. “We have also successfully carried out upgrades on similar machines.”
Benefits of improved designs
“Infeed hoppers are always supplied with the stacker boom,” continues Mr Scott. “However, over the years, we have developed substantial design improvements and our latest generation of infeed hoppers incorporate several enhancements. These are particularly effective for dust control and offer other advantages too. “Deflector plates, located inside the hopper, control the flow of material onto the conveyor, directing wood chips to the center of the stacker belt. This gives a greater level of material management to optimize the efficiency of the system, allows for a smooth motion of the luffing boom and that important reduction in dust emissions,” he adds.
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Expert knowledge means that solutions to operating issues can be found
Conveyors
Floating on air:
new conveyor technology bypasses traditional limits New air-cushioned conveyor technology from Bruks Siwertell makes its debut at Packaging Corporation of America’s highest-volume mill in Tennessee, promising to reduce operating and maintenance costs text ZACK HOOD, MANAGER photos BRUKS SIWERTELL
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or decades, conveyor belts have been the principle method of carrying raw materials over long distances in an energyefficient way. Their design blueprint is so commonplace, and simple – a flat belt stretched over rollers – that it is rarely given a second thought. However, just because the design has stood the test of time, spanning the industrial revolution more or less unaltered, not every conveyor belt can be ‘The Belt ConveyorTM’. It combines the use of air-cushion technology with a standard Bruks belt conveyor, ensuring low friction, high capacity conveying that offers minimal equipment wear and very low operating costs. The first installation to benefit from this innovative technology is Packaging Corporation of America’s (PCA) highest-volume mill, Counce, in Tennessee, USA.
Maximizing throughput
A manufacturing plant’s profitability depends on efficiency and production yields, therefore any system that can enhance this is beneficial. The Counce containerboard plant uses processed wood, including bark and wood chips, in the production of paper and lightweight linerboard. PCA has an annual production of over 4.1 million metric tons of kraft linerboard and corrugating medium for cardboard packaging. In 2018, PCA made the decision to install three new air-supported belt conveyor systems from Bruks Siwertell on a turn-key basis. The conveyors were added as part of a new log-line to increase the plant’s capacity. The new fully-enclosed conveying system was delivered in May this year and comprises a 1.4m (54in) wide belt x 122m (400ft) long conveyor, which handles wood chips at 550t/h; and two further conveyor units, one 1.0m (36in) x 39.6m (130ft) and one 1.0m (36in) x 91.4m (300ft), for handling hogged and unhogged bark at a rate of 60t/h. The belt conveyor systems were manufactured at Aztek Technologies in Monterrey, Mexico.
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Managing different materials
“We were able to offer a turn-key solution and hands-on customer service at a price that others could not compete with,” explains Zack Hood, Manager, Conveyor Technology Solutions, Bruks Siwertell. “Given that this is the first installation of the belt conveyor, we are very keen to see the full scope of what it can deliver to an operator. “At Counce, the same system is being used for three different types of material, which is in keeping with the Bruks Siwertell design philosophy to build in flexibility from the outset. The requirements of these three materials are similar, but still distinct. Hogged bark, for example, contains high levels of dust.
“The system has now been running successfully for several months, but as with any new installation, it was important to review it,” notes Mr Hood. “In September, Bruks Siwertell engineers returned to make some modifications. The belt tension on the unhogged belt conveyor was increased and it was noted that its covers need adjustment to allow for peak surges. Also, because of significant carry-back – residue that is left on the belt – due to the sticky nature of pine wood chips, the belt scrapers needed to be adjusted. The hogged bark conveyor was running well and clean. “Overall, we are pleased with how the systems are performing and early feedback is good,” he says.
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New conveyor technology offers low friction, high capacity conveying with minimal equipment wear and very low operating costs”
Removing the rollers
The main area of concern with conventional conveyors is idlers. These are the unpowered rollers underneath a conveyor belt which support the weight of the belt and material as it goes along. Fundamental to the design of the belt conveyor is that it does not use them, greatly reducing maintenance costs and eliminating the risk of friction fires, caused by idler cans seizing up. “The customer greatly valued the potential operational and maintenance cost reduction offered by the new air-supported belt conveyor,” Mr Hood adds. It delivers other advantages over conventional conveyor systems. Typically, idlers are spaced at intervals of around 1.2m, every time the belt passes over them there is a slight bump. This motion has a sifting effect, causing any finer grains from the cargo to filter through thicker particles to the surface of the belt, which leaves a layer of fine material on the belt itself. Regular cleaning and associated downtime are therefore required.
The belt conveyor is different. “The belt conveyor features a pressurized air enclosure system underneath the belt. Think of it as being similar to the puck on an air hockey table,” highlights Mr Hood. “The air, fed in through the bottom, is what is used to lift the belt, rather than a sequence of idlers. So, you can have a system with a continuous supply of air, pressurized in such a way that the movement is continuous and there are no vibrations.” Each 3m section of the belt has access to a common header of pressurized air, and under the carry-side pan is a 3m pressurized air enclosure system.
New but familiar
The belt conveyor’s rolled plate matches the profile of a 35-degree idler crosssection, without the rollers. This allows the system to conform to the industrystandard calculations for the USA’s Conveyors Equipment Manufacturers Association (CEMA). “We expect substantial growth in demand for this product once word of its benefits spread. The uses for this technology are by no means limited to the forestry and pulp mill trades, but we can already see this new tool is going to change how things are done in this sector.”
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Service
Save money, plan maintenance stops
Unplanned maintenance stops, emergency repairs, reputational damage and the long-term impact on efficiency are valuable reasons why wise operators plan equipment downtime text K ARI LEPPÄNEN photos STUDIO E
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espite knowing that emergency repairs are almost always more expensive than the planned replacement of spare parts, it is still a risk some operators are prepared to take.
“There are so many advantages to planning maintenance stops,” says Kari Leppänen, Field Service Manager, Bruks Siwertell. “If cost control is a primary reason for holding off on maintenance, this strategy rarely pays off, and almost always costs a business more. Not just from emergency expenses either, but from less obvious sources such as reputation loss and the diminishing efficiency of equipment.
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“Whether an owner has a single piece of machinery as the backbone of its operation, or multiple systems serving a complex operation, effective maintenance regimes will deliver the best return on investment,” notes Mr Leppänen. “Owners financially benefit from the optimal performance of equipment, its ongoing reliability and its availability to serve the operation, reducing the lifetime cost of ownership.”
Minimizing maintenance costs
Mr Leppänen explains that there are other reasons why it is more cost-effective to plan maintenance stops. “The timely replacement of wear parts prevents consequential damage
to equipment. This can often be far more cost-impactful than replacing the wear part itself. Having a robust service strategy makes it easier to plan for the availability and purchase of the spare parts that are needed, which makes budgeting easier.” Other elements to consider are demurrage costs. “These are almost entirely avoidable if incurred by unplanned equipment downtime,” he continues.“Scheduled maintenance means that work can be carried out during the day with regular personnel, rather than emergency teams, potentially at night. The need for larger resources, including the required number of personnel, is much better managed.” “Good service management is essential for the smooth running of all operations. It enables owners to keep track of what needs to be done and when,” he adds. “If mobile cranes and other large equipment are needed for major maintenance work, their availability can be negotiated at a good price. The replacement of parts can be planned for so that the work can be carried out with minimal disturbance. Cost savings are delivered, not from delaying or putting-off maintenance all together, but by carrying it out in the right way.”
Smooth project management
Time-savings can also be gained when an operator plans maintenance stops. “These are delivered by having the right work crews and experts on hand and all the parts and equipment in place, ready. Everyone can be briefed on the work; everyone knows what their tasks are. It streamlines projects, not only minimizing the time that it takes to carry them out, but also minimizing the time that equipment is offline, unable to contribute to the business. “Furthermore, personnel are an expensive resource, their planned deployment on other tasks while equipment is offline is an effective business strategy. This time can also be used for training, which in itself delivers far-reaching benefits to an operator.”
Expert OEM knowledge ensures that equipment condition is more rapidly assessed
Benefits of expert knowledge
There are also substantial advantages to choosing original equipment manufacturer (OEM) parts and labor. “To put it simply, we know the equipment best,” he says. “Our knowledge means that we can quickly assess its condition and determine which parts need attention. This ensures that nothing is replaced unnecessarily. Our experts can also make relatively small adjustments to operational parameters that deliver significant performance benefits.”
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Owners financially benefit from the optimal perfor- mance of equipment and its ongoing reliability”
All equipment, if left unchecked, will gradually deteriorate in performance and ultimately fail. These failures impact safety and fundamentally increase the potential for accidents. “There really are no benefits to reactive, last-minute maintenance and economizing on service-related activities or buying nonoriginal parts.
Scheduled maintenance means that the required resources, including personnel, are in place
“However, we understand that managing maintenance is a significant task for any operator. We are able to work closely with customers to carry out service effectively and offer planned maintenance agreements that can take care of the burden, allowing an owner to focus on its operations,” concludes Mr Leppänen.
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Fuel yards
Start-up of turn-key system
takes modernized mill into new era
An integrated system of market-leading equipment now secures a hog-fuel supply line for GeorgiaPacific’s Naheola mill, ensuring the facility’s future sustainability and capacity increases text TROY MANN photos BRUKS SIWERTELL
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s part of a strategic move to secure a competitive and sustainable future, Georgia-Pacific’s Naheola mill in Pennington, Alabama, USA, is extending its capabilities to meet the needs of the US domestic market, and has brought on line a new biomass boiler and fuel yard. Commissioned in August 2019, the new yard is served by a comprehensive turnkey delivery from Bruks Siwertell, which now receives, screens, processes, conveys, and stacks and reclaims the bark ‘hog fuel’ required to meet the needs of the expanding and modernized mill.
Modernization investments
US corporation Georgia-Pacific (GP) is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of tissue, pulp, and packaging products.
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In 2017, GP announced plans to invest around USD 120 million in its Naheola facility. The pulp and paper mill began operations in 1959 and over the years has undergone a series of modernizations and machinery additions, but this is one of the largest projects to date. Following the announcement, GP approached Bruks Siwertell for its input in developing and delivering a system that would secure the fuel supply to the mill’s new biomass boiler. “We were ultimately chosen for the contract because of our many years of experience,” says Troy Mann, Project Manager, Bruks Siwertell. “We know how to process and handle this kind of fuel and have successfully delivered a number of similar installations of both this type of bark fuel-yard and all the other
equipment that is often associated with it. Our ability to deliver a turn-key system was also influential in securing the contract.”
An integrated, turn-key solution
In-depth discussions with the mill and its owners ultimately resulted in a 260t/h fuel yard receiving and stack-out system, with a corresponding 96t/h fuel reclaim and boiler feed system being ordered. The delivery scope comprises two driveover truck dumpers with receiving hoppers, six partially-covered belt conveyors, a hog and screen tower, a vertically-fed hammer hog with disc scalping screen, a three-meter circular overpile stacker reclaimer (COSR), and an emergency reclaim hopper.
The Naheola mill buys in bark from external sources, as well as using bark generated from its existing log line. The new systems screen and process all of the bark. “Hog fuel, such as bark, is a waste wood product, but its value in energy production is increasingly recognized, making it ever more popular. However, how it is handled has a direct impact on material quality and therefore on its energy yield,” explains Mr Mann. “Understanding its requirements and developing systems that handle, process and store it in an optimal way delivers significant benefits to an operator.”
Reduced running costs
“The Bruks COSR offers a very efficient combination of automated storage and reclaiming technologies that work independently of each other and ensure this essential material quality,” he highlights. “The systems are automated, which reduces operating costs, and the circular piles are zoned to ensure that the oldest material is always being reclaimed first.”
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We know how to process and handle this kind of fuel and have successfully delivered a number of similar installations”
“Also, bulldozers are no longer needed to move material around, which maintains the quality of the bark and substantially reduces compaction of the piles,” Mr Mann adds. “Compaction can cause problems because clumps of material do not burn completely or as evenly in the boiler and the weight of bulldozers on a pile mechanically degrades the bark. “The combination of all our equipment working together, as an integrated system, right from receiving the material, though all its phases, until it is required to feed the boiler, offers the Naheola mill levels of material handling efficiency fit to secure its future. Our commitment to ongoing customer service means that we are on hand for the lifetime care of the equipment as well,” concludes Mr Mann.
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Bioenergy
Valuable opportunities,
hidden in waste
Combining products at all stages of the value chain, Bruks Siwertell is in a rare position to offer insight on the biomass trade and to deliver the best combination of processing and handling products the market has to offer text KEN UPCHURCH photos BRUKS SIWERTELL
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iomass, the collective term for organic material used as fuel in power generation, is showing considerable promise as a sustainable energy source and decarbonization tool. Derived from animal or plant material, it can be purely grown in the form of an energy crop, or is often generated from waste, either from wood or forest residues, food crops or food processing. It is this waste where the most value lies. While millions of metric tons used to head to landfill as an untapped resource, it is now being compressed into pellets, or used in a raw form by specialist boilers for heat and energy generation.
Biomass continues to boom
According to global data analysis company, Statista, global wood pellet production has steadily increased from about two million metric tons in 2000 to around 28.5 million metric tons in 2016 and in Western Europe alone, it is predicted to reach 13 million metric tons by 2020. Statista notes that in 2018, biomass power plants in the USA had the largest capacity in the world at 16.7 gigawatts and in the same year it consumed approximately 5.13 quadrillion British thermal units of energy derived from bio-mass. In 2018, the global capacity of biomass power plants totaled 130 giga-watts.
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When it comes to the biomass trade, our knowledge and value proposition is unmatched in the rest of the market”
Although burning biomass is not without its complexities, and often material needs pre-treatment prior to combustion, its use is ameliorating investment costs and prolongs the use of existing power stations, and their expensive infrastructure, originally constructed to burn coal. The importance and the growth of the wood pellet industry in North America and Europe is well-recognized, and their mature markets are setting a benchmark for the rest of the world.
Ensuring the best end-product Compressed pellets have their moisture squeezed out so that they burn consistently, which ensures the best results for power producers. However, these pellets are delicate and therefore unstable. While they are resistant to some impact, grinding or crushing movements can cause them to decompress and split, shedding dust and reducing their combustion efficiency.
Bruks equipment has been closely connected with the North American timber trade for more than 30 years
The more numerous the modes of handling, the more likely it is that some of the cargo will have degraded, and be unusable at its destination boilers. It is therefore essential that the managers of each
link in this chain take the utmost care to use material handling equipment that provides the lowest possible spoilage rates, to maximize the value of the end product for their customers. Following the merger last year of Bruks and Siwertell, the combined capabilities of the Bruks Siwertell Group now comprises a portfolio of products that reflects all phases of this value chain, making it able to offer end-to-end solutions for customers. “Siwertell unloaders have long-served the biomass industry, with high capacity unloading installations securing pellet fuel supplies to power-generation facilities globally, including biomass for Ørsted’s Avedøre power station in Denmark and the Drax power station in the UK,” says Ken Upchurch, Vice President Sales and Marketing, Bruks Siwertell Americas. “Meanwhile, Bruks has been closely connected with the growing North American timber trade for more than 30 years. Today there are Bruks installations all over the continent dedicated to unloading, processing and transporting wood products like bark, wood chips and sawdust.
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“The Bruks and Siwertell brands, each with their own experiences from different sides – opposite ends, you might say – of the business, have come together and experts have shared their insights,” Mr Upchurch continues. “So, when it comes to the biomass trade, our knowledge and value proposition is unmatched in the rest of the market.”
Every stage covered
Bruks wood chippers, milling machines and waste wood-processing hammer hogs were well-established in the global timber market before the merger, and remain at the forefront today. The size and the volume of the required wood particles dictates which machines are suitable; Bruks Siwertell’s range can chip wood from the forest through to complex high-capacity wood-processing arrangements using multiple machine types. A flexible and efficient way to transport the huge volumes of processed wood chips or other free-flowing materials such as bark, sawdust, shavings, peanut hulls for onward use is via bulk trucks. When they arrive at a facility full of biomass, a range of Bruks truck dumper systems could be there to meet them, including back-on or drive-over truck dumpers;
these consist of a tipping platform, outfitted for different bulk truck trailer types, as well as a variety of receiving hoppers. The trucks are unloaded as the tipping platform pivots up to tip the contents of the truck into a receiving hopper. “Most producers opt for an end pivot system to provide a gentle feed trucktipping platform. This reduces the dramatic plume of dust generated when this type of material free flows out of a chip trailer,” he notes. “The tipping platform allows producers to use a variety of trailer types; it is important to have the ability to receive materials when available regardless of trailer type, and keep unloading cycle times to a minimum.” Hoppers are typically designed to store at least two truckloads of material and can have articulating or static covers, specially designed to prevent any dust escaping into the surrounding environment. They might also have dust collectors, which can reclaim and collect material to form more biomass pellets. Key to the dust collection process is keeping the environment dry, as introduction of moisture at this stage could compromise pellet production later.
As with many Bruks Siwertell installations, they are most frequently on ‘brown-field’ sites so space and flexibility are at a premium. Compact, efficient and fullyenclosed systems are therefore prized by the biomass-handling industry, including conveyors. Bruks Siwertell has the most comprehensive range of conveyors on the market. This includes the new, ‘The Belt ConveyorTM’, which is an air-supported system that eliminates idlers – the rollers underneath a traditional conveyor belt. The belt conveyor delivers highly efficient, low-friction material transfer with dramatically reduced maintenance and operating costs (page 18).
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Global wood pellet production is increasing and in Western Europe alone, it is predicted to reach 13 million metric tons by 2020”
Bulk trucks are an efficient way to distribute the huge volumes of processed wood required by the bioenergy market
Biomass production facilities almost always employ a screening system, which sorts the larger pieces from the usable material and removes debris that can damage downstream processing equipment. “The screening process is a vital step,” Mr Upchurch explains. “We’ve seen many odd materials turn up in a pile of woodchips – boards, large slivers; even machine parts and hard hats!” After screening, material could be elevated into a fully-enclosed storage silo. This can be accomplished with high angle drag chain conveyors or bucket elevators, both of which have been employed successfully. Storage silos can range in size, typically around 1,400m3 (50,000ft3) and are equipped with a reclaim mechanism similar to a circular screw. This allows the operator to monitor the material as it returns back into the system when needed.
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Two ST 790-D high-capacity Siwertell unloaders supply up to 40 percent of the total biomass consumed by Drax power station each year
The journey continues
If the pellets are destined for export, they can be carried by rail or road to a port’s receiving facility and from there loaded onto a bulk carrier, all accomplished with Bruks Siwertell equipment. Ship loaders are specified to suit the operation, including those for handling biomass. These systems feature an angled chute, which reduces the velocity of the cargo, to mitigate the impact and crushing forces that might otherwise cause it to break up as it reaches the hold.
When the vessel arrives at its destination, a Siwertell screw-type ship unloader is waiting. Using a counter-rotating inlet feeder, the biomass pellets are taken up into the machine, ensuring high-capacity, gentle material handling that delivers market-leading performance. Siwertell unloaders, installed at many terminals around the world, have been selected precisely for their ability to handle delicate cargoes such as grains, alumina, and biomass without causing degradation, and maintaining material quality for the end user.
Because biomass is organic and dry, it presents an inherent fire risk. Siwertell unloaders mitigate this with a fire safety system originally designed for handling sulfur – the Siwertell Sulfur Safety System (4S) – which shuts down and seals the machine in the event of a fire, stopping the blaze from spreading. In the event of an explosion, the system is designed to vent the blast away from personnel and property, minimizing damage.
New opportunities
“Bruks Siwertell’s range of equipment ensures an end-to-end supply chain, producing the best possible results in the processing, manufacture, transportation and eventual burning of biomass cargoes,” says Mr Upchurch. “We provide both pellet producers and end users with the means to maintain lower material costs and maximize efficiency. “With chipping technology in the forest, truck dumper systems at receiving facilities, new technology such as the belt conveyor, and existing and new ship loaders and unloaders, Bruks Siwertell is in a prime position to share in the opportunities presented by this growing market,” he adds.
Bruks Siwertell’s range of equipment ensures an end-to-end supply chain, including storage and reclaiming solutions Bulk Handling News 2/2019 23
Grain handling
Growing grain import needs
met by new Siwertell unloader
Good recommendations, proven performance and an unmatched record for fast, efficient grain handling led Subic Bay Freeport Grain Terminal to opt for a Siwertell unloader; now delivered, early feedback is resoundingly positive text CECILIA CEDEREK photos BRUKS SIWERTELL
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ositive feedback is one of the most powerful endorsements for any equipment supplier and enables new customers to invest with confidence. Bruks Siwertell is in an enviable position to present new customers with a strong portfolio of recommendations from worldwide clients, who use its equipment every day to meet their bulk material handling needs. It was these references that led Subic Bay Freeport Grain Terminal Services Inc to Bruks Siwertell’s door. Located within the Subic Bay Freeport terminal on the west coast of Luzon, in the Philippines, Subic Grain handles various foodstuffs, including a third of all wheat imported into the country. In the past, this has amounted to around 1.2 million metric tons of wheat per year and until recently it met this demand using three low-capacity rail-mounted grab bucket unloaders and several mobile pneumatic units. However, grain intake at the port has been increasing steadily, and is expected to rise five percent each year over the next five years. “Our customers have all but guaranteed consistent growth of at least five percent per annum for the next five years, minimum,” said Carlo Eduardo D Aliño, Subic Grain Vice President, Operations and Business Development.
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With the addition of its new unloader, Subic Grain not only benefits from increased capacity, but also new flexibility”
Solutions in demand
With a major responsibility to the people of the Philippines, Subic Grain began to investigate a means of improving its capacity in line with the rising expectations of importers. Sure enough, its market research turned up Bruks Siwertell, a company with a huge number of installations throughout southeast Asia, and an unmatched record for fast, efficient grain handling. “Aside from being cost efficient relative to the market, Siwertell unloaders came with very good recommendations from some of our friends from within the grain industry and friends from different sectors altogether,” continued Mr Aliño. “Based on their feedback, Siwertell unloaders did indeed deliver all; efficient discharge operations, heavy-duty fortitude, as well as long-term reliability and usage.” In fact, just a three-hour drive northward, two Siwertell ST 790-D unloaders operate continuously at Masinloc Power Partners’ coal-fired power plant, and have done since 1997. Although its destination and intended use may be quite different, all dry bulk material benefits from the gentle cargo handling properties of a Siwertell screw-type unloader, particularly more delicate materials such as grain.
Siwertell ship unloaders are based on unique screw-conveyor technology, which delivers minimal cargo degradation
A Siwertell unloader offers the same through-ship efficiency, but a lower conveying velocity in comparison with pneumatic systems. This low-velocity profile reduces collisions between grain particles themselves and between grain particles and the inner wall of the conveyor. This minimizes cargo degradation and reduces the production of powdery fines, which if found in large enough quantities can downgrade the value of an entire shipment. The Siwertell unloader is also able to shift between cargoes without any adjustments, a flexibility which easily encompasses all varieties of grain – or for that matter, coal or cement. “For us, Siwertell’s best feature is its screw-type unloading technology, which limits both the need to maintain multiple moving parts and problems related to maintenance,” noted Mr Aliño.
Installation now complete
Subic Grain decided on a Siwertell ST 490-F ship unloader, which it ordered in 2015. Once the company was ready for its delivery, the system was installed on an existing quay alongside the buckets, grabs and pneumatics earlier this year. As it transpired, the unloader’s flexibility will come into its own, as the company has plans for it to also handle cement – another highly moisture-sensitive cargo. “The new unloader offers rated capacities of 600t/h for grain, and in line with the future planned move, will comfortably be able to switch to handling cement at rates of 800t/h,” said Cecilia Cederek, Bruks Siwertell Contract Manager. “I am confident that the new unloader will exceed expectations and ultimately replace the older equipment in the near future.
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Subic Bay’s new Siwertell ship unloader serves the Philippines’ growing trade in wheat imports, discharging vessels up to 50,000 dwt
The terminal secured for itself the option to handle cement by choosing a Siwertell unloader,” Mrs Cederek explained. “We of course tailored elements of the design to meet with Subic Grain’s specific needs. We worked together with them to accommodate fixed loading points on the existing quay’s conveyor belt, and the unloader is also ready to switch to handling cement as soon as required. “However, the flexibility of handling all manner of bulk cargoes is a feature common to all Siwertell unloaders. “Subic Bay will soon use this machine to unload cement, but really there would be nothing to stop the terminal from importing alumina, bauxite, biomass – whatever the customer turns its hand to. This project demonstrated how flexible our installations can be and really showed a ‘can do’ spirit,” highlighted Mrs Cederek.
“With the addition of its new unloader, Subic Grain not only benefits from increased capacity, but also new flexibility,” said Mrs Cederek. “We are pleased to have a second customer on Luzon now reaping the rewards of our technology, and we look forward to continuing with this exciting new business relationship.” Expansion plans at Subic Bay are far from over. But while the terminal has the means to cover increasing demand for the next several years, Bruks Siwertell has gained another valuable endorsement from a new, and highly respected customer. In fact, it is perhaps the best kind possible; in the words of Mr Aliño: “We expect to be in touch for our next unloader(s) soon.”
Successfully up and running
The unloader is now being used to serve the Philippines’ growing trade in wheat imports, discharging vessels up to 50,000 dwt and helping to ensure the economic viability of the terminal for years to come. Eventually, Subic Grain plans to construct a new quay specifically for unloading grain. When the quay has been constructed, the ST 490-F unloader will be moved to the new quay to resume unloading operations there. But for the time being, the installation on the existing quay is allowing Subic Grain to benefit from its investment as quickly as possible.
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Cecilia Cederek: “The project really showed a ‘can do’ spirit”
Our People Rafael Escamilla
Sales Engineer Intern There can be no substitute for experience, but amassing expert industry knowledge is no use if it cannot be passed on to new people; Rafael Escamilla, Sales Engineer Intern, reflects on what Bruks Siwertell can offer its newest hires
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work with stacker reclaimers, truck dumper systems and ‘The Belt ConveyorTM’. Bruks Siwertell has a lot of this kind of equipment installed throughout North America, particularly along the East Coast, which is a major hotspot for the North American timber trade. We are based in Alpharetta, Georgia, which is ideal for being close to this market. I meet with our various customers, which involves looking at their setup, discussing their operations and identifying the right solutions to accommodate their needs. Obviously, this is where my engineering background comes in, but being relatively new means there is still a lot to learn.
Flexible designs fit customer needs
You would be surprised at the amount of overlap there is between engineering and sales. It is not just our own equipment I need to understand, but I also need to be able to look at how it fits into what customers already have – what can be changed, what cannot. That is why my work is as much about engineering as it is about new equipment. We are not a mass-market type organization, which means we have a lot more flexibility in terms of what we can do to accommodate the customer. Most often, no two Bruks
Siwertell systems are the same – even the ones we have for the same customer, like repeat orders, can be slightly different. This is thanks to research and development; engineering solutions are always moving forward, which keeps me on my toes too.
Learning something new every day
Part of my job is to bring on other members of the sales team. This sometimes means that I have to help them understand complex engineering and how this is integrated into our capabilities. As a result, I cannot afford to fall behind the latest developments, so I am always learning something new, even though I am very familiar with the systems. It is no exaggeration to say there is not a day that goes by where I do not learn something new, and I always try and pass that on to my colleagues. I love being an engineer, because there is nothing quite as exciting as understanding exactly how a system fits together; what makes it all tick. The more people understand this technology, the more likely it is that someone will have a suggestion that can improve it. This is why we have to keep passing knowledge on. One of the things I love the most about my job is seeing faces light up as systems start to make sense. It never gets boring.
Bulk Handling News 2/2019 27
BRUKS SIWERTELL GROUP Bruks Siwertell is a market-leading supplier of dry bulk handling and wood processing systems. With thousands of installations worldwide, our machines handle your raw materials from forests, fields, quarries and mines, maintaining critical supply lines for manufacturers, mills, power plants and ports. We design, produce and deliver systems for loading, unloading, conveying, storing, and stacking and reclaiming dry bulk materials, alongside equipment for chipping, screening, milling and processing wood for the biofuel, board, sawmill, pulp and paper industries. We are global and local. You will find our main offices in the US, Sweden, Germany, China, the Philippines, Russia and Taiwan, supported by a dedicated network of hundreds of representatives and dealers worldwide. An extensive global service team offers support to all Bruks Siwertell Group customers whenever and wherever it is needed.
• SHIP UNLOADING
• STACKING & RECLAIMING
• MILLING
• SHIP LOADING
• TRUCK UNLOADING
• SCREENING
• CONVEYING
• CHIPPING
• WOOD RESIDUE PROCESSING
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