Siemens weighfeeders contribute to a positive bottom line for mining companies.
Backfill is widely used in mines to fill voids, improve structural support and prevent cave-ins and air blasts. Cement is commonly used as a binding agent but the cost can make up as much as 5% of a mining company’s operating costs. To help offset the cost, materials such as fly ash, slag, gypsum and lime are often added. These are mixed with water, sand, mine tailings and other aggregates.
To ensure safety it is important to optimise the strength and quality of the backfill. At the same time operating costs must be minimised. Low grade backfill can be used in noncritical applications while higher grades with more tensile strength are required in areas of high load. The recipe for the backfill differs depending on the specific purpose of each batch. Hence the ratio in which the ingredients are blended must be closely monitored to ensure that the correct specification is obtained.
This can be achieved with the Siemens Sitrans WW300 weighfeeder combined with the Milltronics BW500 integrator. Together they control the rate of flow of the binder materials into the mixing process by continuously weighing them on a conveyor belt and varying the belt speed. The system is rugged and low maintenance and allows cost effective, accurate weighing and feeding of materials.
The binder ingredients are stored in silos. Since the particles are very fine, there is normally a rotary airlock feeder at the bottom of the silo to control the flow of material from the silo to the weighfeeder below. The weighfeeder is usually enclosed in a housing with a dust collector port to handle the fine dust generated.
The rate of material flow is compared to a setpoint in a control loop, and the rotary valve and speed of the conveyor belt are varied in unison to deliver a controlled, accurate flow of material to the mixing process. The integrator provides dual loop PID control of the weighfeeder’s drive and can also be programmed for batch control. The weighfeeders and integrator accurately weigh and consistently control the flow of the expensive binder materials into the mixing process to maintain the backfill quality and plant efficiency while minimising the operating costs.
Next-generation AI-enhanced electronic systems design software Siemens South Africa
IT in Manufacturing
Siemens Digital Industries Software has launched the latest advancement in its electronic systems design portfolio. The next-generation release takes an integrated and multidisciplinary approach, bringing a unified user experience that delivers cloud connectivity and AI capabilities to push the boundaries of innovation in electronic systems design.
Read more...Development of motor control units for automotive industry Siemens South Africa
IT in Manufacturing
SEDEMAC has adopted the Siemens Xcelerator portfolio of industry software, which is used in the development of its motor control units and engine control units. The motor control units are used in EVs, hybrids, ebikes and power tools, while the engine control units are used for off-road and on-road engines.
Read more...Sustainable last-mile delivery electric trucks Siemens South Africa
IT in Manufacturing
Workhorse Group, an American technology company focused on pioneering the transition to zero-emission commercial vehicles, has adopted the Siemens Xcelerator portfolio of industrial software as it builds electric trucks for sustainable last-mile delivery.
Read more...Chocolate manufacturing with Siemens Xcelerator Siemens South Africa
IT in Manufacturing
Freybadi, one of the largest chocolate manufacturers in Indonesia and a trusted supplier of chocolate in the Asia-Pacific, Middle East and African regions, has adopted the Siemens Xcelerator portfolio of industry software to optimise its manufacturing and production processes.
Read more...Electrical and electronic systems design software in the cloud Siemens South Africa
IT in Manufacturing
Siemens Digital Industries Software has released its new Capital X software as a service (SaaS), the cloud-enabled suite for engineering of electrical and electronic (E/E) systems.
Read more...Advanced weighing system
Mass Measurement
As global demand for lithium batteries rises, Minebea Intec is providing advanced weighing systems for BYD’s lithium carbonate project in Nanning, China.
Read more...Digital twin technology gives the edge in America’s Cup Siemens South Africa
IT in Manufacturing
The Orient Express Racing Team is using the Siemens Xcelerator portfolio of industry software to aid in preparation for the upcoming 37th America’s Cup, and to gain competitive advantage.
Read more...Process control system for the entire plant lifecycle Siemens South Africa
Editor's Choice Fieldbus & Industrial Networking
The automation of process plants has been characterised by IT silos for a long time. The high level of IT security required was achieved through strict isolation from the outside world. However, this made unlocking the opportunities for digitalisation very difficult. This is a compelling reason to opt for Simatic PCS neo – Siemens’s completely web-based process control system with state-of-the-art IT security concepts.
Read more...Reshaping the future of air freight with Siemens software Siemens South Africa
IT in Manufacturing
Aerospace company, Natilus has adopted the Siemens Xcelerator portfolio of industry software. The company is focused on transforming the world’s supply chain with its next-generation blended-wing body aircraft, and through its use of Siemens software it has reduced the development time to build its first prototype aircraft by 50%.
Read more...Modernising world’s best espresso machines Siemens South Africa
IT in Manufacturing
Olympia Express, a world leader in handcrafted espresso machines, is using the Siemens Xcelerator portfolio to digitally transform the design and production of its world-renowned espresso machines.
printer friendly version