MINERAL PORTS AND STOCKPILES
Once the layout of the stockpile has been decided on , the next task is to stack the bulk material efficiently . BEUMER also provided Prairie Creek with the components to help achieve this efficiency , such as the stacker .
“ Depending on its mobility , the systems can be categorised into three groups ,” Prevedello said . The stacker can be stationary , travel on rails , or be circular with endless movement .
If the machine is circular with endless movement , it is positioned on a column in the centre of the stockpile . Over a conveyor bridge installed above the stockpile , the material is transported directly into the axis of rotation of the stacker , and , from there , distributed centrally . Depending on the stacking method , the boom conveyor can be fixed , or it can be lifted and tilted .
The stacking method of choice depends on whether the bulk material is only temporarily stored , or if it also needs to be blended .
For simple stockpiling without blending , the company provides the ‘ cone shell method ’, Prevedello said . The stacker only moves up and down , ie does not slew , and the stacker design can be simplified . This method works for longitudinal as well as circular stockpiles , according to BEUMER .
For blending the bulk material , the ‘ Chevron method ’ can be used . The boom of the stacker starts in its lowest position ; the first row is deposited in the centre of the stockpile and the next rows are layered on it . In longitudinal stockpiles , the stacker usually
moves in a tilting and slewing motion ; in circular stockpiles , the stacker moves in a circulating and
luffing motion .
Prevedello said : “ The perfect system solution is always an optimal relation between stacker and reclaimer .” Reclaimers such as side reclaimers or bucketwheel reclaimers ( BWRs ) remove the material as necessary . The best option for the customer
depends , again , on the stockpiling task at the end .
Side reclaimers work for both types of stockpiles – longitudinal or circular – with the bulk material reclaimed from the front or the side . When reclaiming from the side , scraper chains move the material on a belt conveyor . Front reclaiming usually uses a rake that , in small sideto-side movements , pushes the material on a scraper chain to be transported further to the conveyor , BEUMER explained . The advantage is the bulk material is reclaimed from the entire cross-sectional area . BWRs are generally used when the bulk material , especially large quantities , needs to be blended .
iStockpile and interoperability indurad says it offers the world ’ s most reliable Stockpile Scanning solution based purely on 3D radar perception , eliminating historical reliance on optical instruments .
The company ’ s solutions do not require mathematical modelling of stockpiles , which can be subject to large errors due to the unpredictable nature of bulk materials , such as changes in moisture content and varying particle size distributions , which affect the stockpile formation . indurad ' s iStockpile Solution uses two indurad ScanningDynamicRadar-Premium ( iSDR-P ) sensors , located at the head of stacker booms , to scan material surfaces , improving the stacking process in real time . The collected sensor data is stored in a “ voxel-based ” model , with the iStockpile4D associating a timestamp with each stockpile voxel to generate a 4D model of the stockpile volume where any additional material properties that may change over time can be stored .
The addition of sensors to reclaimers or other material handling equipment allows the voxel model to be updated . “ By matching with the timestamps , connected systems can assign data to each voxel in the stockpile model ; for example , cross-belt analyser data , laboratory sampling data , or customer information ,” indurad said . indurad openly shares this 4D model with third parties over open Geographic Information System interfaces for enrichment , post-processing and big data analytics .
This way additional properties ( like mineral composition , moisture , etc ) can be added , allowing blending , maximising the profit and minimising penalties on commodity exports .
“ This unique interoperability allows clear system boundaries between data capturing , analytics and decision making , reducing vendor lock-in ,” indurad said . iStockpile makes dual use of automation with indurad ’ s leading process control and predictive