Solution Provided | Delivered a rock box design which maximised throughput and reduced liner and ledge wear.
Disciplines | Mechanical Engineering, Structural Engineering, Design
Our client experienced bottlenecking in the Apron Feeders during high throughout periods.
While the newly installed head chutes were capable of higher throughput, the original units were not. The higher throughput resulted in the following adverse effects:
Original rock boxes were choking with product;
Impact beds and support stringers were affected by the additional loading causing drumming and cracking of the conveyor structure; and
Frequent spillage between the draw down chute and apron feeder pan.
Carnac were engaged to review the existing head chute and rock box design and provided a concept of new rock boxes and Apron Feeder Skirts. Discrete Element Modelling (DEM) was used to develop and assess rock box remediation options. Carnac also provided engineering design for the removal and relocation of conveyor idlers and support structures and delivered Issued for Construction (IFC) drawings for all remediation works.
Carnac recommended the introduction of slopped side walls, an inclined tail-end plate and an opening at the head end wall to reduce build-up in rock boxes and allow passage of larger rocks.
