Since February of this year, bulk carriers with cargoes of wood pellets have been unloaded at the Port of Tyne, Newcastle, UK, via two identical G HMH 750 DS mobile harbour hoppers supplied by Demag Cranes’ subsidiary Gottwald Port Technology GmbH. The cargo-handling machinery specialist had extended its product range to include, among other equipment, hoppers of various types and specifications. With effect from the end of last year, the company has drawn together its bulk-handling activities to create the International Dry Bulk Competence Centre (IDBCC) based in Banbury, UK.
“The two Gottwald hoppers are each designed to handle 750 tonnes of wood pellets per hour,” explains Brian Reeve, chief technical officer at the Port ofTyne.“Handling wood pellets is a very demanding task and we strive to lead the way in developing the best practical means of handling this material whilst fully meeting all legislative requirements. Gottwald’s hoppers comply with our stringent environmental requirements whilst providing robust and reliable handling.”
Handling bulk materials is a growth market for terminal operators all over the world. Each kind of bulk cargo has its own characteristics, whether coal, fertilizers, biomass or agribulk, and these affect the way it has to be handled. “Among other enhancements, the new Gottwald hoppers are fitted with highly effective dust suppression systems as an economical response to environmental protection legislation at the location,” summarizes Mark Reardon, head of the IDBCC.
 
GOTTWALD G HMH 750 DS HOPPER
Two mobile harbour hoppers are in use at the Port of Tyne, each with a handling capacity of up to 750tph (tonnes per hour). They are equipped with dust suppression systems, different types of which are available as options. The hoppers feature high-quality, robust steel constructions — engineered to ensure reliable operation and maximum availability.
In addition, an environmentally aware power supply and efficient drive technology are incorporated in the design. All the energy required to operate the hopper is generated on-board in an highly efficient diesel-powered generator. Alternatively, power
can be supplied without generating additional local exhaust gas emissions by hooking up to the harbour mains.
 
HIGHLY EFFICIENT DUST SUPPRESSION SYSTEM
The dust suppression system, tailored to suit the demands of the handling task, is not only safe and environmentally aware, it is also economical because it minimizes the amount of bulk material lost during handling. To suppress the dust, Gottwald uses a number of different measures designed to complement each other. Besides a complete enclosure and wind protection around the charging opening, which is also fitted with a flex-flap grid, air curtain and extractor systems as well as telescopic chutes for loading trucks minimize dust generation. The telescopic chutes also ensure gentle handling of the bulk material.
 
VERSATILE APPLICATION — FLEXIBLE UNLOADING
Gottwald hoppers can be specifically configured in a wide range of equipment variants with capacities of up to 2,000tph for practically all bulk materials. A number of different types are available: mobile on wheels, on rails or fixed. Depending on the terminal requirements, bulk materials handled by Gottwald hoppers are unloaded onto HGVs, goods trains or conveyor belts.