Springvale coal ROM modifications

The run-of-mine (ROM) coal handling and sizing facilities at Springvale Colliery, previously rated at 900 t/hr, have been upgraded by Bateman Kinhill, Sydney. The project involved the conceptual and detail design, supply, installation, site modifications and commissioning of an extension to the existing sizer building and its new and modified equipment.

Bateman Kinhill was awarded the project as a result of its experience in this type of work and its ability to come up with the right conceptual solutions to the perceived problems. It was also able to commit itself to a short construction period at the lowest cost.

Several problems were associated with the reclamation, conveying and sizing of the coal and with tramp iron, trash and oversize material in the coal stream from underground.

The stockpile reclaiming equipment had to be modified to eliminate frequent blockages and a new trash and sizing screen was installed to separate the coal into size fractions for crushing or by-pass; oversize material is rejected to a collection area.

Because only the size fraction of the coal requiring crushing is now sent for sizing, one sizer (of the two existing twin shaft units) can cope with the duty. Modifications were made to the mechanical equipment and controls to enable automatic changeover of the sizers in the event of failure or blockage. This provides a backup facility at the most vulnerable point in the coal processing path.

Crusher tooth life has been enhanced by providing a controlled distribution of material over the full crushing zone of the sizers.

The effectiveness of tramp iron removal has been improved by relocating the two existing tramp iron magnets to a position in the circuit behind the trash and sizing screens, where the material passes along slow moving conveyor belts with small material profiles.

The new and modified facilities were constructed with the existing plant in full operation and the changeover was accomplished during an extended weekend shutdown. The above measures resulted in improved plant availability and an increase in capacity of 15 %.

More details may be obtained from Eric Fletcher on
+27-11-201-2300 or email coal@batemanengineering.com.

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