Homogenizing/Blending Plant Applications in South Africa with Special Reference to Gencor's Hlobane and Optimum Plants

Case Study

Homogenizing/Blending Plant Applications in South Africa with Special Reference to Gencor's Hlobane and Optimum Plants

Written by de Wet, N. – edited by mhd on 28. Nov. 2023

Published in bulk solids handling, Vol. 3 (1983) No. 1

This paper describes how an analysis of the functions objectives and decision criteria of homogenising/blending plants by South African metallurgists and engineers have led to a wide range of applications of this technology in South Africa over a relatively short timespan of 15 years with some interesting innovations practised at GENCOR's Hlobane and Optimum coal mines.

1. Introduction

1.1 Definitions/Functions

In a stockpile bulk solids are stacked to and subsequently reclaimed from a storage facility. Stockpiles link the various stages of bulk solids transportation systems to:

bridge interruptions in sections of the system without stopping the whole system,
act as a butter between continuous and discontinuous sections of the system,
collect, store and distribute bulk solids coming from or going into different flow lines, such as in the stockyard of a terminal, and
homogenise, blend or proportion bulk raw materials for a metallurgical or chemical process.

In a homogenising plant raw material such as crushed run-0fmine coal is stacked onto a bed (stockpile) and subsequently reclaimed in such a way that the inherent fluctuations in respect of quality and/or size distribution are evened out. The homogenising effect is expressed as the ratio of the standard deviation of a given quality parameter before and after the homogenising plant.

Homogenizing/Blending Plant Applications in South Africa with Special Reference to Gencor's Hlobane and Optimum Plants

1. Introduction

1.1 Definitions/Functions

Design and Operation of Coal Storage and Homogenisation Systems

Sennebogen Material Handler with customized Rail Undercarriage and electric Motor perfect in Port Handling

Pipe Conveyor for alternative Fuels – Operational Gains with minimal Disruption and without any Material Loss

Reliability and Performance – Motorised Pulleys at US and UK Bulk Transfer Terminals

Logistics in Mining and Minerals – Solutions for the Handling of Bulk Solids in the Supply Chain

New Challenges for Material Blending and Homogenising – Bed Blending Efficiency, adding Value with Stockyard Systems

Raw Material Storage and Blending Solutions – Parameters for Selecting the best available Solution

Stacking, Blending and Reclaiming of Coal

Circular Blending System for Coal

Optimal Design and Operation of Raw Material Stockpile Homogenisers

A Large Coal Storage and Blending Facility at the Monroe Power Plant

Tubular Drag Conveying – A Cost-Effective and Energy Saving Alternative to Pneumatic Conveying