HIGH PROFILE receivers - resulting in 30 sensors to be cabled , maintained and all representing points of failure . Besides , train dynamics due to the mass / spring effect can cause noise in the process . Cleaning them with water jets make them often even more dirty by splashing mud .
Q How widespread is iLoadout used in surface mine railcar loading today and can you give any examples ? A indurad has installed iLoadout all around the world . We have more than 50 installations globally from Siberia to Canada , Brazil , South Africa and Australia . For example , in Australia we have installed our technology in about 20 coal loading stations - half in NSW and half in Queensland - with more than 20 additional stations in iron ore - including all 14 stations of Rio Tinto and Roy Hill as well as a growing population at FMG and BHP . Another flagship project is Africa ’ s largest train loadout at Exxaro ’ s Grootegeluk mine which has been a greenfield project completed about two years ago .
Q Does it also optimise load distribution and if so how does it do this ? A The load distribution is key and it is a very complex function with many unknowns . For example , it depends on the accuracy of position , speed , bulk density , bulk flow , clamshell actuator accuracy and many more parameters . indurad attacks the problem from both sides : we increase the accuracy of the data using belt scale , belt volume , loading volume , track scale , speed measurement , position measurement , bulk angle of repose measurement etc to increase the predictive result . The second side with the volume distribution measures the actual bias left and considers the data for the next railcar - whereby track scales are typically a few railcar lengths out of the station causing a lot of latency and issues in control loops .
Q Equally how does it help to minimise spillage ? Are open or faulty bottom dump doors a problem in bulk handling in mining ? A Spillage is caused if railcars are volume limited - this is often the case for coal - as being lighter than iron ore . But some iron ore cars have volumetric
indurad combined iCardumper with iApron solution
constraints . Secondly , coal cars are typically bottom or side dump cars - not requiring a wagon tippler at the port . This , however , means that the indurad iLoadout 3D HMI Visualisation
doors are often not properly locked and material is spilled along the track causing loss of product , environmental spillage and cleaning costs and has caused derailments . indurad has a module in iLoadout monitoring the door positions for preventive alerting .
Q Is there also a use for iLoadout at ports and stockyards where minerals are unloaded from railcars ? A The counterpart of iLoadout in ports for car dumpers / railcar tipplers is iCardumper . The technology uses the same software framework and allows partially dumped ore car detection – so called PDOC . Besides that we monitor apron feeders under the dumping station for load control , reducing wear – plus we have other packages aimed at avoiding chute blockage plus of course outflow volume measurements with iBelt .
Close up of indurad iLoadout system for iron ore flood gate in Australia
Q Has iLoadout been applied underground and if so what unique aspects are there with underground rail operations that have to be managed ? A indurad is working currently on the integration of an iLoadout system in underground block cave mining operations . Solving the spillage issues and reliability in automation are the key aspects - whereby loading accuracy is less important as haulage distances are short . As there are many more loading points underground , and the mine is not relying on a single loadout , there is less need for redundancy in layout . Thus we typically use less sensors to reduce the cost and interpolate more data as accuracy is no longer the key driver . IM
JUNE 2022 | International Mining 41