Hi Eran:

In China, we use laser to measure the piles volume and corret by a specical software. If you are interesting please contatct meby leemeasure@126.com

Charlie Leemeasure

Originally Posted by EranPerlstein

Dear Experts,

I have few questions about measuring volume of outdoor piles.

1. What are the typical industries we can find bulk solids stored in outdoor stockpiles?

2. How can I get the estimated numbers of such stockpiles distributed worldwide?

3. What are the typical methods of measuring inventory in outdoor stockpiles?

4. What is the cost of measuring/surveying a pile?

I found that there is no market research on this and the numbers vary so much that it is difficult to assess these number.

Thank you very much,

Eran

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Laser surveying was offered to a client back in 1999 as an add-on to a bucket wheel reclaimer. Such very clever instrumentation has very little real world use. When is it necessary to know the space in stockyard? Only when you need to replenish.

Already you are confusing volume with mass. Belt weighers on the inlet and outlet sides of the stockyard are quite adequate when complemented by an accurate log of the machine working positions. Your inbye tonnage is measured in, wait for it, tonnes and then quite well meaning folks convert the tonnage to volume. Why? They will say because of moisture content and they are right: unless they have moisture measuring instruments which they can use to advantage.

To:

1. Typical industries referred to are those which have a product that can stand up to the weather conditions and does not contaminate the environment.

2. This has been asked many times on these forums and the answer is many times the same. You will have to do your own legwork.

3. Theodolites and such are quite adequate and nowadays the instruments are fast: they always were accurate of course.

4. Sophisticated continuous onboard monitoring equipment is a CAPEX which can be gleaned from various manufacturers of this equipment. Manual surveying is an OPEX which is mitigated by the fact that piles are only measured when the surveyors have a nice day and there is nothing better to do.

Simplistically, as often: if the belt weighers tell you that there is space for 30,000tonnes then you are in trouble if a laden Panamax arrives with anything more. It is only necessary to observe the belt weighers and moisture gadgets to be able to forecast the shipping requirement. If the plant breaks down while the ship is on the water there is nothing you can do except ask the friendly shipping broker if he can arrange an alternative port of call. ■