Dry bulk terminals are used all around the world to handle large quantities of the bulk materials. Stockyards at the terminals are an invaluable part of the dry materials handling process. They can be used as materials buffers, and as a storage for dry materials that are incoming and outgoing. Storage of various bulk materials is a significant part of the handling processes within the overall logistic networks of the bulk material processing industry.
The equipment that is commonly used for a stockyard bulk handling is not limited to the actual storage facilities (e.g. an open storage area or enclosed silos and hoppers) but also concerns transshipment equip- ment such as stackers, conveyors and reclaimers.
The material properties influence the choice of storage options. Open storage options are common for materials like aggregates, coal or iron ores. Materials such as grain, sugar, cement, and wood pellets are often stored with enclosed storage systems.
Whether it is an export or import terminal, a stockyard is one of the basic elements of a dry bulk terminal where a variety of handling equipment is deployed. Bulk handling equipment has been the cornerstone of Buttimer Engineering since its inception in 1978, originally providing equipment exclusively for the handling of bulk dairy and grain products. There is more than four decades of experience in the design and supply of mechanical handling systems for grain and agri-industry applications. From the fabrication of bespoke pieces of equipment to the design and installation of complete turnkey materials handling systems, Buttimer’s in-house design team and on-site engineers have knowledge and practical experience of providing tailored solutions to various industry sectors including malting, brewing, food processing, animal feed milling and energy crops. The diversity and depth of Buttimer’s bulk handling expertise makes the company an ideal partner in the development and installation of dry materials handling systems.
Buttimer designs equipment and mechanical handling systems for a diverse range of products, including but not limited to: wheat, barley, maize (corn), rice, rapeseed and rapeseed meal, soya beans and soybean meal, coffee, food powders, wood fibres, pellets and other biomass. Each system is designed to complement the characteristics of the dry bulk product handled, and the throughput and processing requirements of the client. Some processing applications installed include: Drying, de-stoning, cleaning, milling, blending, pelleting (cubing) and treating as well as belt or chain conveying, bucket elevators, hoppers and loading and unloading equipment to rail, road, ship or other logistics systems.
Systems can be designed with full dust control, aspiration systems, ATEX and fire safety protocols to the specification of the grain’s characteristics and client’s process. Storage options include steel silos, concrete silos and flat-stores. Each dry bulk product, and client’s processing requirements will require a unique handling system; Buttimer works with clients to deliver processing, storage and out-loading system that meets those unique requirements.
Conveying equipment is considered vital in stockyards of terminals for handling a vast array of dry bulk cargos. These conveyors are designed from the ground up by Buttimer’s skilled engineers who work tirelessly to produce the highest standard products and service for clients. Be it a shuttle conveyor, mobile stacking conveyors or belt conveyor complete with discharge car, Buttimer is adaptable enough to produce a range of conveyors again depending on the needs and desires of clients. These conveyors are often capable of handling a capacity of up 2,500m3 per hour, and all bulk product commodities.
Buttimer Engineering has provided equipment for many terminals in Europe, for a number of high profile clients, such as a bulk terminal in Scandinavia.
The company was employed to carry out a range of design, fabrication, delivery, installation and maintenance work at Masnedo Bulk Terminal, Denmark. This industrial part of port is intended to handle grain cargo. Buttimer has completed and provided equipment for the handling of bulk products. The project included: silos with a total capacity of 88,000m3, a dryer with wheat capacity of 100tph (tonnes per hour), 500 tonnes of galvanized supporting structure and almost 60 different types of conveyors with capacities vary from 300 to 1,000tph handling wheat.
The concept of terminal’s facility included a 100m-long storage facility and truck loading with weighing system, remote control system and also two intake hoppers with aspiration systems, two pre- cleaning lines in front of dryer and a shiploading facility and also an expanded silo gallery.
The first stage of works was a flat- storage facility equipped with a belt conveyor assembled under the roof with a discharge car, which ensures a high reliability and control over the product. The storage is equipped with a weighing scales, that controls the whole process of collecting materials from the store, while the truck loading station is responsible for collecting material from the storage in buffer silo for loading previously weighed amount of grain. A great advantage of this system is a remote-controlled loading chute. The operator, with help of the remote control mounted on the belt, is able to supervise the filling process of a tank truck. The chute itself also makes it possible to reduce dust in the loading area, because of the aspiration system.
The next stage of works concerned two intake hoppers for grain. The hoppers were designed in such way that no grain was to remain and it enabled a quick truck unloading. The intaking area has been equipped with the aspiration system across the entire width of hoppers along with fully automated cleaning of filter bags.
Erection of a dryer was the next step. Drying facilities reach up to 125tph. Before the drying process, there are two hoppers for grain storage with total capacity of 3,200m3. Bulk material properties determine the behaviour of the material during handling and storage. Parameters such as internal friction and wall friction are essential to design a suitable silo or hopper for storage. There are also two drum scalpers and weighing scales for incoming quantity verification.
And finally, there is a shiploading facility with capacity of 1,000tph along with weighing scales. The pivotal factor of grain handling facility was the installation of storage facilities, eight silos equipped with silo discharge systems and screw augers. Silos are also equipped with a ventilation system to prevent any condensation to guarantee the quality of stored grain.
The new and modern grain handling facility and its functionality gives not only great storage capabilities but also operational capabilities that will result in a competitive advantage.