SIWERTELL SHIP LOADER

ONE OF THE WORLDS LARGEST ALUMINA PRODUCERS OPT FOR ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY SIWERTELL SHIP LOADER FROM CARGOTECH

Environmental benefits and efficiency were two key factors in Alunorte’s decision to replace its belt-type ship loader with a totally enclosed Siwertell alumina ship loader from Cargotec Sweden.

The new system has been operating since the summer of 2010.

Company Alumina do Norte do Brasil S.A. (Alunorte) was created in 1978 to take advantage of the rich bauxite deposits in the Brazilian state of Pará.

Following a series of expansion projects, Alunorte now operates the world’s largest alumina refinery.

Annual production has increased from 1.6 million tonnes in 2000 to the current production capacity of 6.26 million tonnes per year, representing 7% of the world’s alumina production.

In 2006 the company identified the need to replace its existing

belt-type ship loader because of problems related to the high dust emissions it created and the need to increase the loading capacity.

Cargotec was contracted to design and provide a modern, efficient, environmentally friendly solution from its Siwertell ship-loader brand.

The brief was for a system designed to load Kamsarmax-size vessels up to 80,000 dwt, to be located at the production plant in Barcarena, Pará, in Northeast of Brazil.

Mr. Douglas Wichers, Sales Manager, Cargotec Sweden said Alunorte’s new Siwertell ship loader was built on a different design concept to the older one.

“The new design is based on a totally-enclosed aero slide system and a Cleveland cascade-type vertical telescopic loading spout.

In combination with two dust collectors at the transfer points, this is a very efficient loading

system when it comes to the elimination of dust emissions into the environment.”

The loader is based on a travelling gantry design with one horizontal arm capable of slewing and luffing motions and is fitted with a vertically adjustable loading spout.

The operator cabin is located on an arm which extends over the ship’s hold to give the operator the best possible view of loading operations, adding significantly to efficiency and safety.

Mr Wichers noted that although the designed loading capacity of the new Siwertell system is 2,500t/h, in practice this has been reduced to about 2,000t/h in order to match the current feeding capacity of the existing shore side tube conveyors.

“The loader can obviously not process more than the incoming material flow. If Alunorte decides to increase the tube conveyor’s capacity, then the Siwertell loader

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is already prepared for such an increase.

Cargotec’s involvement does not stop when the equipment is delivered, installed and commissioned, said Mr Wichers.

“Quality service combined with comprehensive long-term support is as essential to our customers as quality products. From the first contact through the entire lifetime of an installation, Cargotec provides the services and products needed to ensure cost-effective, efficient, safe operations. It is this sort of quality and commitment that means that one of the first Siwertell ship unloader delivered in 1975 is still unloading over one million tonnes of cargo per year”.

Considering the wider scope of Cargotec’s Siwertell range, Mr Wichers says the company has developed loaders employing three different conveying technologies to best meet varying market demands; namely screw, aero slide

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or belt conveying. The choice of conveying technology is influenced by a number of factors including the on site conditions and the cargo or cargoes to be handled. “Siwertell ship loader products offered by Cargotec exploit technologies carefully developed over a long period, benefitting from a world leading company’s accumulated experience. In developing the most operationally efficient and safe dry bulk handling equipment, Cargotec emphasises the importance of optimising the loader in environmental terms as well as in maximising its performance.

In addition to the loader, the Siwertell brand also includes ship unloaders where Cargotec for years has been the company that has delivered most continous unloaders worldwide. A Siwertell ship unloader is totally enclosed from the pick-up point in the hold, which is below the cargo surface, to the transfer point at the jetty conveyor. This attention

MATERIALS HANDLING AND TRANSPORTATION

to detail delivers a cleaner, safer environment through the elimination of spillage and dust.

The Siwertell unloader programme is divided into four groups. The appropriate group is determined by the size of ships to be handled, the required unloading capacity and the commodity to be handled.

In addition to loading and unloading systems, Cargotec can also provide bespoke bulk terminals incorporating Siwertell ship unloaders and/or loaders with mechanical or pneumatic conveying systems to suit the particular requirements of bulk terminal projects, whether for import, export, or cargo transhipment.

For ports and harbour that do not have or need permanent bulk handling facilities, Mr Wichers says Cargotec offers the ultimate in flexibility with its Siwertell mobile unloaders, designed to be completely autonomous in operation without the need for any

other dockside equipment such as an auxiliary crane.

Mounted on a semi-trailer, Cargotec's mobile unloaders are based on Siwertell’s unique screw technology and can be operational very soon after arriving on site.

Typically it takes between 30 and 45 minutes to complete the unfolding operation.

Like the Siwertell ship unloaders, the mobile unloaders have a totally-enclosed conveying line that delivers environmentally friendly, cost effective operation and typically consuming only 0.18 litres fuel/tonne during a cement handling operation .

Three different models are available with unloading capacities of up to 500t/h and vessels size up to 20,000 dwt. In addition to Alumina, the mobile unloaders, together with the other types of Siwertell ship unloaders, are suitable for handling other freeflowing dry bulk cargoes such as

cement, sulphur (when equipped with a Siwertell sulphur safety system), grain, feedstuffs, biomass and fertilisers.

The other types of Siwertell ship unloaders can be designed to unload vessels of up to 200,000 dwt and for none free flowing materials such as coal.

The totally enclosed system eliminates costs associated with loss of material and clean-up operations when unloading is complete.

Maintenance and spare part costs are kept to a minimum, for the mobile unloaders since they generally incorporate only standard components, easily sourced worldwide at any time. Personnel costs are low as only one person is required to operate the unit and perform the folding and unfolding procedures.

By Douglas Wichers, Sales Manager, Dry Bulk Terminals, Cargotec and JĂśrgen Ojeda, Director Mobile Unloaders, Cargotec Cargotec Sweden AB, Bulk Handling Visit us at: www.siwertell.com e-mail us on: blksales@siwertell.com Tel: +46 42 858 00, Fax: +46 42 858 99 Images of Siwertell ship loader at Alunorte, Brazil. It has a loading capacity of 2500 t/h of Alumina.

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