What is the product size or largest lump ?

What is the tonnage annd variation in flow rate?

Is there a likelyhood of tramp metal?

Is there a need for fine flow control?

Is there a need to conserve bin height?

What is your anticipated bin geometry?

By paddle feeders do you mean aron feeder ( cat traclk )?

Apron (paddle?) would be a first choice depending on the answers to the above questions. It will be the likely most costly and have maintenance cost issues.

Most large iron ore mines in Australia use versions of apron feeders for both open incline dump pockets, stockpile reclaim, and bins.

Vibratory feeders are certainly cheaper and may be able to do the job depending on the scope. ■

Dear Anil

Generally track hopper length is decided based on unloading time required for wagons. if you want to unload complete rake in 4 hours your track hopper length may be 100 m- 200 m long in such case you have to provide paddle feeder ( plow Feeder) so that it can move all along the length of track hoper and extract material.

In case you are having hopper only for 1 wagon ie 12-16 m long then you can have 2/3 vibrating feeders

A R SINGH ■

It is presumed the wagons are rail wagons, so the length of the receiving hopper will exceed the outlet size that can be discharged with an in-line paddle or vibro-feeder and, in any case, there will need to be some lateral displacement to clear the tracks. I would expect a plough feeder to be adequate for the discharge, assuming that the rate is sufficient to deal with the input, but be more concerned about the geometry of the receiving hopper to guarantee reliable flow. Basically, tests with varied samples of the ore should be carried out to establish the bin geometry required. Your prior experience with the plough feeders should manage the rest. ■