BULK HANDLING
NEWS BRUKS SIWERTELL CUSTOMER MAGAZINE
#1/2022
What the world needs now is greater efficiency
8
CONTENTS
8
12
18
26
CONTENTS 4 News in brief 8
What the world needs now is greater efficiency
12
Eyes on a new era, building on a strong past
18
Dust: an issue solved with Bruks Siwertell technology
2 BULK HANDLING NEWS
22 Close customer contact is key to long-term operational success 26 Rapid equipment deliveries help USA port recovery after hurricane hit 31
Our People: Jörgen Sjunnesson
EDITORIAL
ABOUT BRUKS SIWERTELL Bruks Siwertell is a market-leading supplier of dry bulk handling and wood processing systems. With thousands of installations worldwide, our machines handle raw materials from forests, fields, quarries and mines, maintaining critical supply lines for manufacturers, mills, power plants and ports. We design, produce and deliver systems for loading, unloading, conveying, storing, and stacking and reclaiming dry bulk materials, alongside equipment for chipping, screening, milling and processing wood for the the bioenergy, biofuel, board, sawmill, pulp and paper industries. An extensive global service team offers support to Bruks Siwertell customers whenever and wherever it is needed. bruks-siwertell.com
Follow us on social media
Bulk Handling News is a customer magazine for the dry bulk handling industry. The opinions expressed by the authors or individuals interviewed do not necessarily represent the views of Bruks Siwertell. Publisher: Bruks Siwertell AB, P.O. Box 566 Gunnarstorp SE-26725 Bjuv, Sweden Editors: Emily Brækhus Cueva emily.cueva@bruks-siwertell.com Malin Pekberg malin.pekberg@bruks-siwertell.com Lindsay Gilliland lindsay.gilliland@bruks-siwertell.com Editorial assistant: Anette Andersson anette.andersson@bruks-siwertell.com Layout and production: Metamorf Design Group AB Image sources: Shutterstock and Bruks Siwertell Printed by: Exakta Print AB, Malmö 2021 This magazine is printed on responsibly sourced paper and conforms with Svanen eco-label and FSC-certification standards.
Going from strength to strength Dear reader, Despite every hurdle that we are currently facing, alongside the industries in which we are operating, we can see growth and strength; an indomitable spirit. These challenges are unprecedented in our times: a global pandemic, and its impact on all of our lives, both personal and professional; the urgent need for action around climate change; and businesses having to navigate huge fluctuations in the availability and price of essential components, from steel to fuel and semi-conductors. This makes our collective achievements even more remarkable. We are incredibly grateful to our customers for the trust that they repeatedly place in us as a business, and in our technology, products and services. This gratitude extends to our dedicated personnel, who form the heart of our operations. We are longing to return to times where unrestricted travel makes it more possible to meet face-to-face. This will never lose its importance. The company also has new leadership; after more than two decades at the helm, Per Karlsson has stepped down as President, Bruks Siwertell AB and Port Technology Division, Bruks Siwertell Group. His impact has not only been significant to our success, but has also had far-reaching benefits for the industry as a whole. You can read about this, and how Jonas Fack is now taking the company on the next leg of its journey. Throughout the issue you will see how new orders for equipment and our service expertise strengthen our customers’ operations, their profitability, and the sustainability of the industry as a whole.
Peter Jonsson, Group CEO BULK HANDLING NEWS
3
NEWS IN BRIEF Alumina handling operator set to benefit from Siwertell ship unloading technology itself, but evidently, wanting to order its own unloader, after experiencing what our equipment could offer, speaks volumes in terms of Trímet France’s trust in the equipment and in us as a company,” continues Ojeda. “Siwertell unloaders have unbeatable environmental performance with zero spillage and virtually no dust creation. They also offer minimal material degradation, which delivers a particular advantage to the alumina industry,” he adds. “Our systems handle materials carefully, which minimizes the production of powdery fines,” Ojeda explains. “Aluminum smelting is energy intensive, and is very sensitive to the amount of fines in the alumina; the lower the percentage of fines, the lower the temperature required in the process, which therefore reduces energy consumption. This is ultimately good news for the planet and for profitability.” Trimet France’s new Siwertell 10,000 S next-generation road-mobile unloader is commencing operations in Marseille. It offers extremely efficient, dust-free alumina handling with minimal material degradation and very low energy consumption. It also features advanced digital technology for remote monitoring and service support. Trímet France placed the contract in 2021 following a 20-month lease of an older Siwertell 10,000 S unloader from another Bruks Siwertell customer. “Over this time, we supported Trímet France with any servicing needs, and had the rare opportunity to form a relationship with the customer before its purchase,” explains Jörgen Ojeda, Sales Director Mobile Unloaders, Bruks Siwertell. “Trímet France wants to strengthen its present alumina unloading operation. Its original decision to lease our hardware was an endorsement of Siwertell systems in 4 BULK HANDLING NEWS
Many port operators already benefit from the flexibility and efficiency of Siwertell road-mobile unloaders. “Although we have unloaded 1.25 million metric tons of alumina with a previous road-mobile installation in Croatia, which operated between 1997 and 2006 and ran up over 10,500 hours of service, the application of Siwertell unloader technology for handling alumina is still relatively new. So, this order strengthens our strategic aim for more operators to benefit from our market-leading alumina handling capabilities,” he says. The new road-mobile unloader offers a rated capacity of 130t/h, discharging vessels up to 10,000 dwt, and can be folded down and relocated in under an hour. It also features the Internet of things (IoT) device, Compulab, which enables extensive monitoring, follow-up, support and trouble-shooting through safe, remote access.
NEWS IN BRIEF
Ozinga takes delivery of new road-mobile cement unloader American organization, Ozinga, has taken delivery of its Siwertell road-mobile ship unloader, which is now securing environmentally friendly cement handling for the company in the US Midwest. “The Ozinga team invested time in researching various types of unloading equipment and concluded that the Siwertell roadmobile unloader was the best solution for its application,” says Ken Upchurch, VP Sales and Marketing, Bruks Siwertell. Ozinga specializes in concrete, dry bulk materials, and natural gas energy solutions. Its 5000 S road-mobile unloader delivers a continuous rated unloading capacity of 300t/h
High-capacity cement handling opens up opportunities
for vessels up to 5,000 dwt and also features advanced digital technology for diagnostics and trouble-shooting.
A new Siwertell ST 640-M screw-type ship unloader in Houston, Texas, USA is now helping an undisclosed owner switch from bagged to bulk deliveries of cement. “The operator was looking to expand its US operations,” explains Per Wahlström, Contract Manager, Bruks Siwertell. “For some time, it has imported bagged deliveries of cement, but bulk imports hold the potential for greater market impact. “The Siwertell unloader was an ideal choice for this terminal,” adds Wahlström. “It was light enough to minimize jetty reinforcement costs, but still deliver the throughship capacity that it required. Performance tests have gone to plan, and the operator is happy.” The new rail-mounted Siwertell unloader offers continuous dust-free cement handling at a rated capacity of 1,500t/h, with a peak capacity of 1,650t/h, discharging vessels up to 80,000 dwt. Furthermore, as it is totally enclosed, no dry bulk material is lost through spillage. Bruks Siwertell also supplied 1.6m-wide jetty conveyors, with a belt length of 192m.
BULK HANDLING NEWS 5
NEWS IN BRIEF
Good service keeps Mailiao ship unloader in peak condition In a new service contract, Bruks Siwertell will deliver original equipment manufacturer (OEM) parts and expertise to a long-serving ship unloader at the 4,200 MW Mailiao power plant; the third largest operating in Taiwan. Six large Siwertell unloaders, owned and operated by Formosa Petrochemical Corporation (FPC) and Mai-Liao Power Corporation (MPC), supply fuel to the plant. Three of these were delivered in 2001, two in 2006 and one in 2018. Four Siwertell ST 790-type unloaders handle coal, and one ST 790 and one ST 940-DOB unloader are combined coal and salt unloaders.
A new electrical system will be installed on a long-serving Siwertell ship unloader at the Mailiao power plant in Taiwan
Bruks Siwertell will deliver a new electrical system including a motor control center and transformer housing for one of the 2006-delivered ST 790 ship unloaders, which currently handles salt and coal at a rated capacity of 2,000t/h, discharging vessels up to 180,000 dwt. “Over the years, these hard-working machines have been kept in excellent condition, and after clocking-up over 30,000 operational hours have undergone major electrical and mechanical upgrades and overhauls, including replacement slewing bearings and an upper turret exchange,” says Tony Aronsson, Area Manager APAC, Bruks Siwertell.
“We did discuss several options, including overhauling the existing system and components within the motor control center and transformer housing,” Aronsson explains. “However, this would have been extremely time-consuming and incur considerable downtime for the ship unloader; not a realistic option for the power plant as the unloaders are in near-constant operation. Our solution was to exchange the parts entirely, delivering a fully equipped and tested system in a fraction of the time.” The replacement system will be installed in 2022. It will take about six weeks to complete, minimizing any downtime.
Repeat unloader order secures safe sulfur handling in Paradeep
A second Siwertell ship unloader has been ordered by PPL for the Indian port of Paradeep
6 BULK HANDLING NEWS
A second Siwertell screw-type ship unloader will be delivered to leading Indian fertilizer company, Paradeep Phosphates Ltd (PPL), operating at the port of Paradeep, in Odisha, India. The new Siwertell 640 D-type ship unloader joins a similar unit, which has been serving the company since 2006.
NEWS IN BRIEF
Similar to its predecessor, the new rail-mounted ST 640-D unit has the capacity to discharge sulfur from vessels up to 60,000 dwt, at a rated capacity of 1,500t/h. It will alternate handling this cargo with rock phosphate at a
Both units, like all Siwertell ship unloaders that handle sulfur, are fitted with the Siwertell Sulfur Safety System (4S), which minimizes the risk of explosions when handling this extremely volatile and corrosive dry bulk material.
rate of 1,200t/h and muriate of potash (MOP) at 1,050t/h. The unloader will work on the same jetty as Bruks Siwertell’s previous delivery for PPL, and double the operator’s material handling capacity.
The new unloader will be delivered to the port in component parts and assembled on site. It is scheduled to enter operations at the end of 2022.
Siwertell screw-type loader ensures dust-free dry bulk handling in the Caribbean A Siwertell screw-type ship loader, ordered for totally enclosed, dust-free cement and clinker handling, will enter operations at a new cement plant being built in the Caribbean. It provides a unique solution for a complex set of dry bulk material handling requirements. “We are delighted to be working on this project and our expertise has been called upon from the start,” says Axel Dahl, Sales Manager, Bruks Siwertell. “It really has been a case of engineering experts coming together to solve a particularly complex set of operational and dry bulk material handling needs.
us was to consider robust screw-conveyor technology. The final design offers benefits to both the environment and the operator; a screw-type loader that delivers totally enclosed material conveying, preventing dust emissions and spillage, combined with the ability to withstand the abrasive effects of tougher dry bulks, like clinker, prolonging component wear and service life,” adds Dahl. The type-1B ship loader will deliver cement and clinker handling at a continuous rated capacity of 600t/h, with a peak loading rate of 750t/h, for vessels up to 20,000 dwt.
“This is our first Siwertell loader installation in this particular region, which is currently undergoing some of its most advanced improvements in decades. The equipment has to protect the environment and work in one of the most earthquake-prone zones of the world,” Dahl continues. “Some of the technical challenges that we had to consider for the contract included a new optimized conveying system for handling clinker. “It is a very abrasive material and wears down standarddesigned components relatively quickly. The obvious choice for
The new loader solves a particularly complex set of operational and material handling needs
BULK HANDLING NEWS 7
WHAT THE WORLD NEEDS NOW IS GREATER EFFICIENCY Additional cargo handling capacity, and a bit less time sitting in queues, would save the world’s global supply chains a lot of headaches right now; here is how high throughputs lend a helping hand, explains Per Hansson, Sales Director, Bruks Siwertell TEXT
8
Per Hansson
PHOTOS
BULK HANDLING NEWS
Bruks Siwertell and Shutterstock
OPTIMIZED TERMINALS FREIGHT RATES FOR MARITIME SHIPPING have been sky-high recently, to the point where even those outside the logistics industry are hearing about it. Towards the end of 2021, articles appeared in the popular press advising shoppers to get their holiday purchases in early. This had to do with congestion at ports, and the unprecedented breaking-down of just-in-time supply chains it caused. In the container segment, some vessels picked up an astonishing USD 20,000 per 40ft container.
along the length of a ship as they unload. Typically, the unloaders work in pairs to discharge a single bulk carrier, up to about 180,000 dwt.
It is no coincidence that rates in the dry bulk segment have likewise soared. Although bulk carriers are suffering less congestion than containerships, their availability is still diminishing. According to data from independent shipbrokers Simpson Spence and Young (SSY), between April and September 2021, shipping cargoes of coal between Newcastle, Australia and Qingdao, China became around 35 percent more expensive, just in time for China to experience a shortfall in domestic production.
Siwertell unloaders at any port would certainly alleviate some of the current capacity concerns. For example, at the end of 2021, Lloyd’s List reported around 600 bulk carriers waiting at Chinese ports, or 53 million dwt. Naturally, different dry bulk materials dictate different through-ship capacities, but let us look at some figures. For example, at 2,000t/h, theoretically, it would take one unloader approximately 35,500 hours to clear those vessels. That is equivalent to 1,479 days. If you want to achieve this in 30 days, that would mean 49 ship unloaders. Increasing the capacity to 2,400t/h would require about 40 ship unloaders, and if we go up again to our biggest unloaders, standing at 3,000t/h, they would need 32. If Mailiao took on all vessels, it could clear the backlog in 294 days.
But in the same timeframe, SSY says that the cost of getting iron ore from Australia to China increased by a staggering 85 percent. Furthermore, as Lloyd’s List Intelligence reported in August 2021, around six percent of the global bulk carrier fleet was stuck waiting in queues off China. With such a significant level of carrying capacity offline, then, shipowners are reaping the rewards; but the picture is much less rosy for those in the business of getting goods to where they are needed.
Importance of high-throughputs In a traffic jam, cars further back sit at a standstill, even as those at the front may be speeding away. What the logistics chain is seeing now is something similar; ports are open, and ships are being unloaded, but the devastating after-effects of Covid-19 on supply chains have not gone away. Just-in-time deliveries are excellent when everything is working, but port operators are having to work extremely hard to remove bottle-necks from the system. Right now, it is likely that many are wishing for greater throughput capacity. That is where Bruks Siwertell’s dry bulk material handling equipment comes in, along with its ability to load and unload waiting vessels at market-leading rates. For example, at the Mailiao power plant in Taiwan, five railmounted ST 790-D Siwertell screw-type ship unloaders can each discharge coal at a rate of 2,000t/h, moving
A number of factors can influence the duration of an unloading operation, including the weather, wind speeds and terminal capacity. However, on average, two Siwertell unloaders of this capacity could empty a vessel within 60 to 65 hours.
The installation in Mailiao is extraordinary, but not unique. Siwertell ship unloaders are a feature at many Chinese ports, and at ports all over the world. With a few more installations like this one, we could definitely free-up some of that much-needed shipping capacity.
“
At 2,000t/h, two Siwertell unloaders can empty a 180,000 dwt vessel within 65 hours PER HANSSON, SALES DIRECTOR, BRUKS SIWERTELL
BULK HANDLING NEWS
9
OPTIMIZED TERMINALS
and hugely abrasive clinker, which can take a significant toll on dry bulk handling equipment. In 2021, Bruks Siwertell won a new contract to deliver a Siwertell screwtype ship loader for handling both of these contrasting materials at a new cement plant being built in the Caribbean. It will deliver totally enclosed material conveying, preventing dust emissions and spillage, combined with the ability to withstand the abrasive effects of clinker.
Contrasting commodities
The duration of unloading operations can be influenced by the weather, wind speeds and terminal capacity
Outstanding in the market Siwertell screw-type ship unloaders have numerous advantages over all other similar capacity machines. For ship unloading, we define the efficiency of our machines by comparing the actual through-ship unloading capacity against its rated capacity. A grab crane, for example, offers efficiencies of between 50 and 60 percent, and, in comparison, our Siwertell screw-type ship unloaders deliver efficiencies of 70 percent or more. Also, once the counter-rotating inlet feeder is submerged in the cargo, the system is fully enclosed, preventing dust emissions and any cargo spillages from polluting the terminal facility or the water. This protects not only the environment, but also operators’ pockets. An additional method to increase capacity is interoperability, and this is another way in which Siwertell unloaders come into their own. A Siwertell unloader is a true multicargo machine. The same unit can handle free-flowing as well as compacted materials. This flexibility to switch between cargoes, without any loss in efficiency, is crucial, particularly in these times. Good examples of managing material extremes are unloaders and loaders that handle both powdery cement 10 BULK HANDLING NEWS
Other notable examples of multicargo capabilities, with very distinct handling characteristics, include the unloaders that serve Formosa Plastics Corporation (FPC). Earlier in 2021, FPC became the biggest repeat customer for Siwertell screw-type ship unloaders ever, when it placed an order for two more 640 D-type unloaders, taking its full complement of Siwertell ship unloaders to thirteen. The pair are scheduled to be in operation by the end of 2022. Of FPC’s Siwertell ship unloader portfolio, nine are used for unloading coal only, two are used for coal and salt, and its latest pair will only be used to handle salt, serving a new terminal at Kaohsiung Port in Taiwan. For the unloaders that handle both coal and salt, this mix is particularly potent; salt is very corrosive and becomes highly compacted in the hold and coal can present some unique challenges. It often arrives in wet sticky clumps thanks to varying grades and their moisture content, it is abrasive, and can also become heavily compacted. Siwertell unloaders overcome all of these challenges and still deliver very high capacities. From Siwertell road-mobile and port-mobile systems to the very large rail-mounted units, like the dedicated 2,400t/h coal handling Siwertell ST 940-DOBs at the Ha Tinh steel plant in Son Duong Port, Vietnam, all can switch seamlessly between the two cargoes, effectively putting increased capacity at an operator’s disposal.
“
OPTIMIZED TERMINALS
The advantages that come with our smallest systems scale all the way up to our largest PER HANSSON, SALES DIRECTOR, BRUKS SIWERTELL
This is especially important for those power-generation switches from coal to biomass; an investment has to work flexibly. Operator Ørsted, originally specified a highcapacity Siwertell ST 790-D unloader for its co-firing Avedøre power station. It entered operations in 2013 handling coal, but by 2016, Ørsted converted the plant to full-biomass operation.
End-to-end solutions
the loss of cargo through spillage, and extends to utilization rates at the quayside, reducing vessel turnarounds, and with it the huge expense of vessels just waiting their turn for loading or discharging. The advantages that come with our smallest systems scale all the way up to our largest. Our loading and unloading systems offer truly market-leading capabilities and we can deliver tailor-made systems that respond to market demands.
Bruks Siwertell is found at every point in dry bulk handling supply chains. It has systems that, for example, load biomass in the US and unload it in the UK. Both the unload and load have to be efficient and environment friendly. At the Port of Whyalla, Australia, a Siwertell SBL 1600 TL ship loader is operated by GFG Alliance, previously Arrium mining company, transferring iron ore into ships at 4,200t/h. At this rate, it can fill all of a typical Panamax bulk carrier’s holds in less than 24 hours. But even this substantial machine is far from the largest Bruks Siwertell has to offer. The high-capacity Siwertell loader can handle some 12,000t/h of iron ore, or 8,000t/h of coal. Iron ore is transported in some of the world’s largest bulk carriers. In theory, a Capesize vessel, of around 180,000 dwt, could be loaded in less than 20 hours. However, to deliver a continuous 12,000t/h loading, criteria, such as the rate that a vessel can ballast, must be considered as well. When ports want to increase their throughput, as trades grow to much higher volumes, which is a frequent occurrence in dry bulk markets, and when customers are ready to increase their capacity; Bruks Siwertell is ready too. Along with this capacity increase, our systems address unnecessary industry waste. This ranges from eliminating
Siwertell unloaders can switch between cargoes without any loss in efficiency
BULK HANDLING NEWS 11
EYES ON A NEW ERA, BUILDING ON A STRONG PAST Jonas Fack, newly appointed President, Bruks Siwertell AB and Port Technology Division, Bruks Siwertell Group, and his predecessor, Per Karlsson, reflect on why innovation, personnel and a visionary spirit are so important to a company’s strength TEXT
Per Karlsson and Jonas Fack
PHOTOS
after more than two decades at the helm, Per Karlsson stepped down as President, Bruks Siwertell AB and Port Technology Division, Bruks Siwertell Group, passing the torch onto Jonas Fack. IN JULY 2021,
12
BULK HANDLING NEWS
Bruks Siwertell
Market-leading businesses need the ability to take not only a company, but the industry as a whole, forward. Per Karlsson provided just that, and now Jonas Fack prepares to take Bruks Siwertell AB and the Port
Technology Division, Bruks Siwertell Group, on a new pioneering journey. Times are very different now. Dry bulk handling companies are rightly under extreme scrutiny in terms of
their environmental sustainability, and each has to actively participate in the urgent need to address climate change. They must also operate in extremely competitive and volatile global markets. Bruks Siwertell is well-positioned within today’s industry to ensure that customers achieve operational advantages through market-leading technology, and also ensure environmental and economic sustainability.
The essence of innovation The company was founded on innovation, not only in terms of products, but also through the ability of its leadership to see how far it could change industry practices and challenge accepted ‘norms’. Karlsson has played an integral role in the company’s growth. He joined in 1985, and presided over major expansion strategies across the fields of dry bulk handling, including growth into new markets throughout the Asia-Pacific region, the Americas, and the Middle East. “I became President of the company in 2000, after ten years as a Sales Director,” says Per Karlsson. “But our work to become market leader in dry bulk handling technology had already long started. At that time, there was huge potential for our unloading equipment in the coal-fired power stations that were being built, especially in Asia, as it expanded its industrial reach and therefore energy requirements. Also, we successfully grew our representative network in Asia, Latin America and the US, which enabled us to expand. “There were far fewer restrictions related to greenhouse gas emissions
“
THOUGHT LEADERSHIP
Siwertell unloaders handle more than 80 percent of the pellets imported into the UK PER K ARLSSON, PRESIDENT, BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT, PORT TECHNOLOGY, BRUKS SIWERTELL GROUP
in those times, and the focus was much more on efficiency and spillage-free material handling. We took the opportunity to develop within this area very successfully, as we have technology that was perfect for the job. Siwertell unloaders could offer our customers high efficiency, with low operational costs at an affordable price compared with our competitors. “We also put a lot of effort into improving the lifetime of wear parts mainly on the vertical conveyor, such as screws, tubes and bearings; our lifetime and wear parts guarantees were much better than any of our competitors,” he notes.
Responding to market change “Bruks Siwertell was also maintaining a strong position in the cement, grain and fertilizer industries. Following the 2015 Paris Agreement, the legally binding international treaty on climate change, Bruks Siwertell recognized the need to promote the advantages of using a Siwertell screw-type ship unloader for handling biomass pellets. “Compared with coal, pellets have a much higher potential to self-ignite
and cause dust explosions, and therefore our unloaders needed additional safety systems incorporated into their conveying line. This was actually no problem, as we already had good knowledge of sulfur unloading, which is very volatile and has a much higher self-ignition potential. Therefore, we could easily offer our market-leading Siwertell unloader for handling pellets. Today, as an example, Siwertell unloaders handle more than 80 percent of the pellets imported into the UK,” notes Karlsson. “Our success in both the coal and biomass sectors has given us the ability to become stronger in other market segments as well, and enabled us to expand and develop both our unloading and loading product range,” he adds.
Keeping the Siwertell name Since 1974, the Siwertell brand name has remained in use despite having been sold several times to different companies, and from 2018, it became part of Bruks Siwertell Group. “This would be a challenge for any President, but also for the organization of the company, having to meet each new owners’ requirements, and BULK HANDLING NEWS
13
THOUGHT LEADERSHIP
“
Our success is dependent on many factors, including the positive attitudes and dedication of our personnel PER K ARLSSON, PRESIDENT, BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT, PORT TECHNOLOGY, BRUKS SIWERTELL GROUP
maintaining our development in the market,” says Karlsson. “But we have. Just in the past two years, we have seen tremendous growth and market expansion in the USA, for example. “Our success is dependent on many factors, including the positive attitudes and dedication of our personnel,” he continues. “Without this, we would never have been able to make the journey from a small company to a company that had a record order intake in 2020 of almost SEK 1.2 billion. “The development of our company values has also contributed to our success, along with the fundamental advantages delivered by our technology,” he notes. The unique counter-rotating inlet feeder, which draws dry bulk material into the screw conveyor, was developed in Sweden back in 1974, and with a worldwide patent, formed the beginning of a state-of-the-art technological leap. It offered an unloading technology that was totally enclosed and highly efficient, and the ability to handle very dusty materials with higher capacity than any other technologies available at that time. 14 BULK HANDLING NEWS
“We have continued to develop the vertical conveyor so that both capacities and lifetime have been extended. This ensures that, today, we are the frontrunner, offering the market what it needs tomorrow,” says Karlsson. “Part of this process has also been to improve unloading efficiency, which we have done very successfully. Today, with the high daily costs of vessels, it is very important that unloading times are kept to a minimum, so that our customers’ profitability can be maintained.”
Best on the market “I have always believed that our screw technology has so many more advantages to offer the market than other systems,” he highlights. “I once sold an unloader to a customer where the owner’s son said: “getting a Siwertell is like my father giving me a Mercedes”. From my perspective, I think he should have said “Porsche”, as this is how I see ourselves against our competitors. “I believe that it is important to understand that the sales arguments vary for different materials, because the technology offered by competitors is different, and we compete with all of them.
“A Siwertell ship unloader really is a multi-cargo machine, and offers the same benefits for all materials: for example, high capacities, high unloading efficiencies, no spillage, and low operational costs, as a result of the long lifetime of wear components. “In contrast, a grab unloader can offer high capacities, but suffers from low efficiency and spillage. They are also restricted to materials that are not dusty, such as cement. Bucket chain unloaders are also restricted to materials that are not dusty, but will offer high capacities, and almost no spillage. However, they also suffer from lower efficiency and high operational costs. A chain unloader offers an enclosed system, but is restricted in capacity and has no digging forces, which limits the materials it can handle or incurs a greater need for assistance. “As a final comparison, pneumatic unloaders are dust-free, but have low-capacity restrictions, high energy consumption demands and degradation of material is an issue. Also, they cannot generate any digging forces and are therefore restricted to free-flowing materials or need assistance when handling compacted materials such as fertilizers. “A Siwertell screw-type unloader out-performs all of these different technologies, independent of the material being unloaded, along with requirements for capacities and ship size,” Karlsson stresses.
Widening our portfolio “Today, we offer a wider product portfolio, including our high-capacity ship loader, which offers truly staggering capabilities. It is hoped that
THOUGHT LEADERSHIP
with this added to our ship loading portfolio we will continue to make good inroads into this market as well, and compete more effectively with local technology suppliers that benefit from lower freight and delivery costs and local knowledge. “We also have the ability to build complete terminals; one of the benefits of a wide organization. Our broad portfolio covers everything from stacking and reclaiming systems, a vast selection of conveyors, from traditional idler belt units to advanced air-supported systems, like the TubulatorTM and The Belt ConveyorTM, along with screw, chain and aeroslide conveyors. “As a company, we have always developed and/or improved our products on the basis of what they can do to improve profitability for the client. This has to be from a financial and operational point of view, including low investment and operational costs, and high efficiency. If not, there is no market for the product. “We are also in a digital era and continue to develop the Siwertell ship unloader for the future, exploring the possibilities enabled with an industrial internet of things (IIoT) system, giving customers real-time, advanced information about the performance of their dry bulk handling equipment, and so much more. As a part of this, we are considering automated unloading and loading, with operators only monitoring their equipment.”
A journey together “We would never have been able to reach the goals and targets that we have achieved so far without the great performance of my management
A Siwertell ship unloader offers distinct benefits for all dry bulk materials
team, as well as an extremely dedicated organization. Thirty-six years is a long time to be in a company, but it has been so much fun. Its spirit and the products that we provide have made me proud many times as a President, and we have, in the past, faced extreme challenges without failure. As we say: ‘we do it together’. “Finally, I may have retired as the President of the company, but I will continue to work for the group as
President, Business Development, and am delighted that Jonas Fack is taking the helm. He has the ‘Siwertell spirit’ and knows very well that nothing comes for free; hard work is a must for success, as well as the backing of a well-run organization,” concludes Karlsson. Jonas Fack assumes his new position following the role of President, Wood Technology Division, Bruks Siwertell Group, which he held for the last BULK HANDLING NEWS
15
THOUGHT LEADERSHIP
few years. Fack brings extensive knowledge of dry bulk handling and port technology, having served the organization for 15 years in a variety of positions.
fill, but I am delighted to step into them and take us forward into the next era.”
Commenting on how important Per Karlsson’s tenure has been to the company’s current strong position Fack says: “Per has led the company through many ups and downs over the years. His dedication and ability to continuously endure extreme workloads is outstanding. It is fair to state that, at times, he saved the company with his own dedication. Per has successfully implemented an environment of embracing challenges and thinking that nothing is impossible. Without him challenging ‘known facts’, we would not have successfully reached our leading position in coal unloading, offering an outstanding product that is both environmentally friendly and cost efficient. So, his are big shoes to
“My company journey started fresh out of technical university, when I had the opportunity to build and create a Siwertell road-mobile unloader team at Bruks Siwertell. At this point, in 1995, our road-mobile portfolio consisted solely of the Siwertell 5000 S, and we basically handled everything from the initial order, sourcing, assembly, delivery, handover, and commissioning, and then product maintenance and aftersales,” Fack explains.
Starting at the roots
“Over the years, we have developed into a true strategic business unit covering all phases from research and development through our sales teams, to aftersales services, including second-hand machines.
Bruks Siwertell can build complete, optimized terminals; one of the benefits of a wide organization
16 BULK HANDLING NEWS
When I was appointed Director, Bulk Terminals, in 2001 our mobile offering had grown to four models: the Siwertell 5000 S, 5000 S-GT, 10 000 S and the 15 000 S. Our team had grown too, from three to twelve, and we were delivering ten to twelve units a year. “This was a challenging, but rapidly developing and exciting time, where I learnt the hard way, with hands-on experience, about how to troubleshoot and service machines, and carry out performance tests, alongside my role leading a dedicated team and selling state-of-the-art products worldwide. “I have held several roles in our Bulk Terminal business unit, including directorships where I have been responsible for sales and project fulfilment of the company’s large-scale ship unloaders, ship loaders and complete port terminals.
“
THOUGHT LEADERSHIP
My vision for Bruks Siwertell AB is for it to drive the efficient, sustainable distribution of dry bulk materials all over the world JONAS FACK, PRESIDENT, BRUKS SIWERTELL AB AND PORT TECHNOLOGY DIVISION, BRUKS SIWERTELL GROUP
“During this time, I have accumulated first-hand knowledge and experience of port technologies and of customers’ needs and priorities, as well as an in-depth knowledge of our internal processes, company history, our products and their benefits, and also the fields where we need to improve to stay competitive. “Understanding customer needs, and the rationale behind decisionmaking in the industry, and this in-depth knowledge, are all essential elements in leading the company into a new era,” says Fack.
A sustainable future Bruks Siwertell is leveraging its technology, people, and industry influence to drive sustainable development. “Through our Siwertell unloaders especially, and our loaders and conveying systems to some extent, we have always set the highest standards of environmental sustainability. A Siwertell unloader offers a way for dry bulk operators to transfer sometimes hazardous and dusty materials, from ship to shore through a totally enclosed system, which prevents dust emissions and spillage,” he continues.
“In terms of economic and operational sustainability, Siwertell unloaders offer long-term advantages through low operational and maintenance costs, and have an excellent ratio between the rated, or nominal, unloading capacity and the average through-ship unloading capacity. They also offer customers the advantage of designing optimum, not oversized, downstream conveying systems. Furthermore, their lighter construction, in comparison with competitor technologies, delivers savings in steel and fabrication costs, and jetty reinforcements. “Aside from climate change, one of the main challenges currently is port congestion. Adding to this, the final clean-up phase is too time-consuming, and more importantly too labor-intensive, independent of the unloading technology used. In the near future, it is likely that the industry will see restrictions on having personnel in the ships’ holds. This is a challenge for the industry to solve. “Port terminals will have to increase unloading and loading efficiency, and part of this will come from digitalization. It is not simply an aspiration, it is already important, but will become
more so in the years to come. Automation is gaining increasing industry traction, along with connected machines, which possess self-diagnostic and ‘self-repairing’ capabilities. Furthermore, the automatic optimization of unloading processes will extend beyond the reach of container handling and into dry bulk operations as well,” Fack points out.
Companies need visionaries “Like our past, the future will present its own challenges and how we navigate them will dictate our success. We have to remain responsive to market change; our products and services need to be at the forefront of meeting customers’ needs today and what they require tomorrow. As part of this, we need to ensure that we maintain our innovative environment, allowing our personnel to think ‘outside the box’. We have to ensure continuous learning and the development of resources, as well complementing these with new competences. “Companies need visionaries. Without dreams and ambitions, a company and its organization will soon run into complacency, hindering the ability to excel, and leaving it open for customers and the competition to overtake it. “My vision for Bruks Siwertell AB is for it to drive the efficient, sustainable distribution of dry bulk materials all over the world, eliminating any unnecessary losses of material and time, and minimizing the use of resources. To be able to do this, we must strive to be considered a ‘best workplace’ to secure the skills and dedication needed for continuous innovation,” Fack concludes. BULK HANDLING NEWS 17
DUST: AN ISSUE SOLVED WITH BRUKS SIWERTELL TECHNOLOGY Demand for dust-proof solutions is increasing, driven by environmental, societal, and cost factors; from Bruks Siwertell’s perspective, this is timely, as it has all the technology an operator needs to solve the issue of dust TEXT
18
Christopher Duff y
PHOTOS
BULK HANDLING NEWS
Bruks Siwertell
DUST CONTROL ALTHOUGH A NATURAL PART OF HANDLING DRY BULK MATERIALS AND PROCESSED WOOD, for powdery cargoes, dust is essentially the product, whereas for others, its presence can indicate material degradation, for example with biomass pellets or grains.
Whether it is the asset or the nuisance, fugitive dust emissions should be prevented from entering the atmosphere and impacting the environment, and from spreading to work areas, affecting personnel, gumming up machinery, and potentially increasing fire risk. From one end of the supply chain to the other, Bruks Siwertell has developed all its key systems with the prevention of dust emissions in mind. Spanning the processed wood and dry bulk handling industries, we have leveraged more than a century of combined expertise in the development of our dust control solutions. Every dry bulk material transfer has the potential to generate dust, and some more so than others. Aside from the obvious powdery cargoes, such as cement, some wood and agricultural residues, dry shavings and sawdust are inherently very dusty, while wet chips and barky fuels are less so.
Controlling the cloud Materials like wood residues and sawdust are by-products from other industrial practices, and are a valuable raw resource in many industries, from pellet plants, where the production of biomass pellets can be used to offset coal in power stations, to panelboard and pulp and paper manufacturing.
“
We can design dust collection systems to suit all existing truck receiving systems CHRISTOPHER DUFF Y, AREA SALES MANAGER, BRUKS SIWERTELL
Siwertell screw conveyors are totally enclosed ensuring dust-free material transfers
They often arrive at production plants on the back of bulk trucks, traveling loose in large trailers. There are various techniques for offloading them quickly; but all rely on tipping the truck and trailer out into a receiving hopper. If not well-managed, this part of the handling process has the potential to generate a considerable dust cloud, exacerbating environmental issues, but also presenting a fire risk. Bruks Siwertell’s range of back-on, extended arm and drive-over truck dumpers have numerous dust mitigation features. These include fixed or articulating covers for receiving hoppers, enclosed on all sides, along with dust extractors and dust collection systems. These systems negatively pressurize the air, capturing any dusty material in the receiving area and reintroducing it back into the system for use, ensuring that no usable product is being lost. “Our truck dumper systems minimize dust emissions by utilizing a combination of technologies,” says Christopher Duffy, Area Sales Manager, Bruks Siwertell. “For example, a covered receiving hopper and dust collection system combine to deliver the most efficient, optimized, safe unloading process. “It is possible to deliver a truck dumper and receiving system that can ensure close to zero fugitive dust emissions,” explains Duffy. BULK HANDLING NEWS 19
DUST CONTROL
Bruks truck dumpers use a set of hydraulic cylinders that raise a platform at one end, lifting the entire truck. Full lift and lower cycles are completed in approximately four minutes, delivering the capacity to unload biomass at a rate of up to 85t/h. “Although the hoppers, receiving systems and dust collectors provide very good dust control, the angle at which our truck dumpers work is another advantage. They have a low-profile design, which means that trucks tip their load as close to the ground as possible. This significantly reduces the impact, and therefore dust cloud, of material landing in the hopper,” he notes.
Upgrades enhance operations Over the years, Bruks Siwertell technology has advanced, but the leeway for dust emissions from industrial practices is rapidly diminishing. Therefore, retrofitting dust control measures and upgrading existing systems is gaining industry interest. A number of operators are already benefiting from this strategy. “It is particularly appealing to biomass production companies that regularly handle dusty, processed wood. Their existing dry shavings receiving and storage equipment, including truck dumpers, may not have been originally fitted with dust collection systems or covered hoppers, so relatively simple upgrades can yield very significant results,” Duffy highlights. “Furthermore, if conveyors are replaced with totally enclosed systems, spillage is also not an issue. For some operators we are predicting a doubling of raw material throughput within the plant when switching to totally enclosed conveyors. “We can generally design new dust collection systems to suit all existing truck receiving systems, along with, for example, screening systems, which remove any oversized dry wood shaving material received by a facility. “The Bruks Siwertell dry shavings receiving system is totally enclosed, preventing dust emissions and protecting the material from any external moisture; a doublebonus,” adds Duffy. “In fact, this is particularly beneficial to pellet plants; by protecting the flow of raw material from the elements, it potentially means that the dry shavings do not need to pass through the plant’s dryer, which can often slow the process down or mean that the plant has to increase its dryer capacity.” 20 BULK HANDLING NEWS
Bruks truck dumper systems minimize dust emissions by using a combination of technologies
Contained conveyor systems Enclosed screw conveyors are a good example of how facilities can contain materials and maintain high conveying capacities. Siwertell screw conveyors offer particular advantages to dry bulk operators. They are robust and hard-wearing, so for the cement handling industry and for those that handle much more abrasive materials such as clinker and aggregates, screw conveyors offer very reliable, cost-efficient performance and minimal maintenance. But with particular reference to dust emissions, as they are totally enclosed, they bring these down to negligible levels and ensure spillage-free material transfers. The same principle extends to Bruks Siwertell’s range of Siwertell screw-type ship unloaders, from the road-mobile and port-mobile models up to the large, very high-capacity stationary or rail-mounted systems. Their success has been founded on the ability of every Siwertell unloader to deliver market-leading through-ship capacities, reliability, long service lives, and crucially no spillage or dust emissions. From the inlet feeder in the hold, to the downstream receiving system, the entire material handling process is totally enclosed.
“
DUST CONTROL
Preventing dust emissions is a Bruks Siwertell speciality CHRISTOPHER DUFF Y, AREA SALES MANAGER, BRUKS SIWERTELL
“We want to make sure that as much as possible of any shipment of cargo, whether it is on a bulk truck, in a ship’s hold, or on a conveyor, makes it from source to destination, and crucially, maintains its quality. Furthermore, this has to be achieved in the most environmentally friendly and efficient way possible,” he adds. “Bruks Siwertell has focused a great number of resources on addressing exactly this.” Conveying dusty cargoes over any distance, but particularly long distances, can also present challenges. Traditional, idler belt conveyors have done a good job for centuries and offer very high capacities for relatively low investment costs. But they do have some intrinsic drawbacks. The rollers need high levels of maintenance to prevent seizing and therefore the potential for an idler-can fire, delicate materials can degrade during the process as the belt passes over multiple rollers, generating a bumpy ride and more dust, and as materials are conveyed, they often undergo a sifting effect. Belt conveyors also need secondary covers to contain dust and protect the cargo from the elements.
Each system offers unique advantages. The Belt Conveyor shares the geometry of a 35-degree idler conveyor; therefore, it still meets the industry-standard calculations for the USA’s Conveyor Equipment Manufacturers Association (CEMA). It can carry a wide variety of materials and delivers high-capacity conveying with minimal equipment wear and very low operating costs. As for the Tubulator, it achieves capacities up to 40 percent higher than conventional belt conveyors and uses innovative suspension cable tower technology that enables it to span long and high installations. The environmental gains that both these conveyor systems offer are also far-reaching. A fully enclosed cover provides dust-free operations, eliminates product losses and minimizes any noise production. Low-friction conveying also means that its energy consumption demands are minimal in comparison with traditional systems. “The challenge in dry bulk handing and in wood-processing is that these are inherently dusty or dust-generating processes, but change is possible and necessary,” Duffy says. “Spreading dust poses operational risks; it wastes cargo, and the fuel and emissions spent in carrying it. It also means lengthy clean-up procedures that cost money. Preventing dust emissions in the first instance is a Bruks Siwertell speciality and we are ready to help any operator overcome their dust issue.”
New ways of thinking Aside from totally enclosed screw conveyors, and covered belt conveyors, Bruks Siwertell offers alternative conveying solutions for mitigating dust during dry bulk material transfers. This includes air-supported, low-friction conveyors, such as The Belt Conveyor™ and the Tubulator™. In both cases, idlers beneath the belt are removed and replaced by an air cushion. To create this, The Belt Conveyor uses a header of pressurized air for each three meter section and the Tubulator uses a series of in-line, low-pressure fans.
Totally enclosed, air-supported conveyors minimize operational and maintenance costs
BULK HANDLING NEWS 2 1
CLOSE CUSTOMER CONTACT IS KEY TO LONG-TERM OPERATIONAL SUCCESS By fostering close relationships with customers, it is natural for them to contact us if needed; Tony Aronsson, Area Manager, Services (APAC), Bruks Siwertell, explains how this is benefiting Taiwan Cement Corporation with its 22-year-old Siwertell ship loader TEXT
Tony Aronsson
PHOTOS
22 BULK HANDLING NEWS
Bruks Siwertell
C U S TO M E R C O N TA C T
EQUIPMENT CHOICES BASED ON ENVI-
are a continuous dialogue between Bruks Siwertell and its customers. This is not a new phenomenon, it has been at the forefront of ours and many operators’ minds for decades, with some pioneering results. RONMENTAL DECISION MAKING
Taiwan Cement Corporation (TCC) has worked with Bruks Siwertell for many years, originally contacting us under our previous company name BMH Marine, in 1997, in connection with the construction of its cement factory in Hoping, Taiwan. To put this location in perspective, it is an extremely environmentally sensitive area. Hoping, the town, and the cement plant, are surrounded by national parks, mountains and rainforests, rich with wildlife and outstanding natural beauty. Any industrial activity must comply with strict environmental regulations, and particularly for TCC, a heavy focus on legislation around dust emissions. Environmental issues are, and have always been, a very high priority for TCC and it has made significant investments in environmental improvements. In recognition of this, the company has recently won a 2021
“
Asia Responsible Enterprise Award for ‘Low-carbon and Safety: TCC Innovative Product Traceability System’ under the Green Leadership Category.
Dust-free cement loading It was this inherent environmental drive that prompted TCC to consider Siwertell technology. The Siwertell ship loader has a totally enclosed screw conveying system, ensuring dust-free cement handling. At the time of the contract, Siwertell equipment was well known to TCC, both in terms of environmental credentials, as well as efficiency, as several years earlier, the company ordered a Siwertell ship loader for its cement factory in Hualien, about 50km south of Hoping. TCC was, therefore, aware of Siwertell technology’s enclosed conveyor system as well as the efficiency and reliability of Siwertell ship loaders. Since its installation in 1999, it is estimated that the STL 700, screw conveyor-type, stationary loader has operated for 96,000 hours and loaded 77 million metric tons of cement.
TCC are very pleased with the ship loader and all aspects of its performance TONY ARONSSON, AREA MANAGER, SERVICES (APAC), BRUKS SIWERTELL
BULK HANDLING NEWS 23
C U S TO M E R C O N TA C T
at 800t/h, but actually delivering a maximum of 1,000t/h, to its reliability and availability. Regular, qualified service is the key factor in maintaining the Siwertell loader’s current ‘as new’ condition. Also, it is extremely important in preserving environmental protection and safety. TCC Hoping fulfils all of these commitments and responsibilities.
Replacement or refurbishment
Any industrial activity in Hoping must comply with strict environmental regulations
The loader runs for more than 4,300 hours a year, which is a very high utilization rate and means that the terminal’s ship schedule is extremely tight. All maintenance work has to be well planned and organized, and, last but not least, carried out to the highest standard. There is no time for unforeseen stoppages or downtime for this operator, as this could jeopardize the entire cement production capabilities of the plant.
Years of good service We do not have any specific service agreement with TCC Hoping, the main reason being that it has a highly qualified service team with the competence to conduct exemplary maintenance. This is also reflected in the fact that the ship loader is in excellent condition despite its age and high utilization rate. We have visited TCC Hoping twice a year since 2011, to be available for any 24 BULK HANDLING NEWS
discussions with regard to maintenance and operation, and also to help answer any queries that may arise. The fact is, there have never been any major problems with our equipment, and when TCC Hoping has needed advice from us, it has either contacted us, or we have straightened any issues out during our visits to the plant. TCC are very pleased with the ship loader and all aspects of its performance, from its capacity, rated
“
There will always be a point where the replacement or exchange of parts or their refurbishment is not feasible in an economic sense, and a new machine becomes the best option. We help all our operators at any point in this process. However, what is clear is that, with attention to good service, our machines have the capacity to run and run. We help operators navigate the availability of spare parts, and those that have become obsolete. Sometimes this means replacing larger elements with updated, compatible versions. Sometimes it means replacing the entire machine, but for the majority of operators that have long-serving equipment, this point is often still many years ahead. We considered this very deliberation with TCC.
Environmental issues are, and have always been, a very high priority for TCC TONY ARONSSON, AREA MANAGER, SERVICES (APAC), BRUKS SIWERTELL
“
C U S TO M E R C O N TA C T
We are always here to help and support customers TONY ARONSSON, AREA MANAGER, SERVICES (APAC), BRUKS SIWERTELL
Discussions started in 2017 when TCC asked us to propose a list of strategic electrical parts. Shortly afterwards, we discovered that the loader’s programmable logic controller (PLC) and human machine interface (HMI) system, as well as other electrical components, were obsolete, with no prospect of parts or further support available. In connection with this, TCC asked us to inspect the loader’s cabin. This quickly revealed that the years in a port environment had taken their toll and several of the cabin’s parts needed to be replaced or refurbished.
equipment manufacturer (OEM), to carry out another thorough inspection, mechanical as well as electrical. The reason for this was that it wanted to see if there were other components on the loader that Bruks Siwertell would recommend being replaced during the planned electrical housing and cabin replacement project. The result of the inspection, that no other parts were in need of replacement, came as no surprise for me, again due to the excellent maintenance carried out on the loader, and also the longevity of Siwertell components.
To ensure minimal disruption to the company’s cement production, the electrical and cabin replacement work would take around twelve days to complete. If we are called upon to carry out the work, we are ready when TCC needs us to be. Our work with TCC shows how important close, regular contact with customers is for maintaining a good relationship. We do not want our customers to feel that they stand alone, we are always here to help and support them, and with a close relationship it is very natural for them to contact us if needed.
Initially we discussed the replacement of individual parts and a refurbishment program, but we soon found out that there was simply no time for such an approach, as TCC’s utilization of the loader was simply too high. We then suggested the replacement of both the electrical housing and the cabin completely, fully equipped and factory tested. This approach will save a tremendous amount of time; in fact, the replacement approach takes about a third of the time in comparison with the refurbishment and exchange of individual parts.
On hand to help TCC Hoping was very interested in this idea, but wanted to go one step further. It contracted us, the original
Since 1999, the STL 700 loader has run for 96,000 hours and loaded 77 million metric tons of cement
BULK HANDLING NEWS 25
RAPID EQUIPMENT DELIVERIES HELP USA PORT RECOVERY AFTER HURRICANE HIT When Hurricane Laura tore through Port of Lake Charles in southwest Louisiana, USA, it caused extensive damage to almost every transit shed, warehouse, ship unloader and loader; Bruks Siwertell is doing its part to help with the port’s ongoing recovery TEXT
Daniel Pace PHOTOS Bruks Siwertell and Shutterstock
PORT OF LAKE CHARLES AND THE CALCASIEU SHIP CHANNEL (CSC), which connects the city of Lake Charles, in southwest Louisiana, USA, with the Gulf of Mexico, is one of the country’s largest and most important marine thoroughfares.
The port, comprising the Lake Charles Harbor and Terminal District, is central to the local economy, and its Gulf of Mexico connection makes it a key global player. Although not an unusual occurrence for the area, in September 2020, it suffered wide-spread destruction from a particularly powerful hurricane, named Laura. “Just about every transit shed, warehouse, ship loader and ship unloader were damaged as a result of Hurricane Laura,” Richert Self, Executive Director, Port of Lake Charles, reported at the time. “Our insurance claim for Hurricane Rita was about USD 1 million. This one is going
26 BULK HANDLING NEWS
to far exceed our USD 50 million cap that we have for insurance.”
Building back stronger The infrastructure damage was also compounded by the fact that this is a historic port. Much of its foundations and pilings were constructed in the 1930s, and therefore needed to be rebuilt to meet today’s standards. Essentially, large parts of the port are currently undergoing a fairly extensive reconstruction, along with the replacement of its dry bulk handling equipment.
“
E M E R G E N C Y S U P P O RT
Bruks Siwertell’s global procurement abilities gives our customers greater options DANIEL PACE, SALES MANAGER, BRUKS SIWERTELL
BULK BULKHANDLING HANDLINGNEWS NEWS 27 27
E M E R G E N C Y S U P P O RT
Port of Lake Charles rapidly ordered a replacement mobile harbor crane, which came on line within a few weeks of the storm. This enabled the port to remain operational, loading and unloading dry bulk cargo, but just not as efficiently as it would be with dedicated ship loaders in place. “The silver lining in the cloud of destruction was the port having the opportunity to rebuild to current standards and for the future with the technology available today,” says Carl Krielow, Port Board President. “The quick response of our Executive Director, who had only been in the position for 90 days, and his staff to evaluate the destruction, develop an interim plan to continue operations, while expediting the procurement, were key to the Board of Commissioners’ ability to quickly approve this opportunity.” “Port of Lake Charles was essentially devastated by Hurricane Laura, including the loss of its major dry bulk handling equipment,” says Daniel Pace, Sales Manager, Bruks Siwertell. “Equipment replacement contracts were put out to public tender, and as a result, Bruks Siwertell was initially contracted to deliver two new Bruks ship loaders. This was quickly followed by an additional order for a traveling terminal hopper, which will serve the port’s new mobile harbor crane.
“
We offer a lot of experience with petcoke handling and customdesigned solutions DANIEL PACE, SALES MANAGER, BRUKS SIWERTELL
“We have worked with the port previously,” Pace continues. “In 2012, we supplied a polar stacker, used in the port’s storage area. It essentially stacks petcoke, slewing on a concrete pedestal and also shuttling to expand available storage capacity. Following the storm, we checked to see if any original equipment manufacturer (OEM) support was needed for this machine, but thankfully, it survived intact.”
Bruks Siwertell will deliver two new Bruks rail-mounted ship loaders to Port of Lake Charles
28 BULK HANDLING NEWS
E M E R G E N C Y S U P P O RT
Port of Lake Charles was essentially devastated by Hurricane Laura, including the loss of its major dry bulk handling equipment
All new Bruks Siwertell equipment is destined for installation in Port of Lake Charles’ bulk terminal number 1 (BT1 Dock). One ship loader will primarily be used for handling petroleum coke, or petcoke, at a rated capacity of 3,200t/h, while the other is used for loading calcined coke at 2,250t/h. The first loader will be delivered on an expedited schedule of ten months, designed to get the port operating at greater efficiency as fast as possible. It is planned to enter operations, loading petcoke, in July 2022. The second will follow nine months later and be up and running in April 2023.
Global capabilities, local support “Our ability to provide the design Port of Lake Charles specified within an aggressive schedule to meet its
operational needs for the first loader, while also offering a competitive price for the second loader, were extremely important parts of securing the contract,” he says. “We also provide the customer with local, US-based support throughout the project and for the life of the machines. “Furthermore, we offer a lot of experience with petroleum coke handling and extensive expertise in providing custom-designed solutions, especially with rail-mounted machines,” Pace adds. “We will fully assemble the first ship loader, off-site in Beaumont, Texas, and then ship it, via heavy-lift barge, so that the fully assembled loader can be lifted onto the dock’s rails, and up and operational very quickly,” explains Pace. “The second ship loader, we will fabricate and fully BULK HANDLING NEWS 29
assemble in Vietnam and then ship it, again via a heavylift vessel, so that it can simply be lifted onto the rails. “Our ability to use Bruks Siwertell’s global procurement abilities, really gives our customers the option for what works best for their application.”
regulate the flow of dry bulk material discharging from the hopper, and a reversing, shuttling conveyor to feed either the existing dock conveyor or to transfer material directly into waiting trucks at dock level.
All-round capabilities
Both ship loaders are rail-traveling with slewing, luffing, and shuttling capabilities. “Even though both loaders have different capacities and dimensions, we are designing them to have interchangeable spare parts,” he notes. “This has significant long-term maintenance advantages for the operator.”
“Bruks Siwertell’s ability to deliver a package of equipment within a very tight timeframe, which could perfectly meet Port of Lake Charles’ needs, was significant in securing all the orders. Added to this, we are also able to work locally with the operator and therefore mitigate a number of supply risks from the COVID-19 pandemic,” Pace concludes.
The terminal hopper will also be fully assembled off-site in Beaumont, and then shipped and lifted onto the rails in the port. It is scheduled to enter operations in May 2022 and will handle barite and rutile at a rated capacity of 850t/h. It will be supplied complete with a vibratory feeder to
Port of Lake Charles is recovering, and although not yet at peak capabilities, with the arrival of its new Bruks Siwertell equipment, the facility will be set for many more years of efficient, high-capacity dry bulk handling, taking the port and the region into a new era.
A new Bruks traveling terminal hopper will handle barite and rutile at a rated capacity of 850t/h
30
BULK HANDLING NEWS
OUR PEOPLE
OUR PEOPLE Jörgen Sjunnesson FIELD SURVEYOR ENGINEER
Bruks Siwertell’s field personnel are a key interface between the company and customers; Jörgen Sjunnesson is one, and as a surveyor engineer, he dedicates his working life to helping worldwide customers make service decisions about their bulk handling equipment.
I also support customers to maintain their equipment in the right way. This has a huge impact on the profitability of any operation. Not only does it keep equipment available for use, it keeps it running at its peak.
I HAVE WORKED FOR THE COMPANY FOR OVER FOUR YEARS
A further responsibility is making any final adjustments to the machine once it has entered service and training personnel to operate our products.
starting as a site supervisor in 2017. From my base in Bjuv, Sweden, my job has taken me all over the world, but predominantly to South America and the Middle East.
Importance of a visit
A key part of my role is helping customers identify the best time to replace wear parts, for example, for the screw conveyor. This is one of the most critical aspects of our machines, and is fundamental in our Siwertell screw-type ship unloaders. Genuine Siwertell screws are extremely hard wearing and offer very long service lives, but they do eventually need replacing.
Maintaining performance Customers often require help to identify the optimum time to replace this part and it does need careful consideration. We would not recommend any unnecessary work, but you need not to leave it too long so that it may have a negative impact on operations, or incur any unforeseen downtime. Luckily, we understand the balance and can help.
Every visit to our customers around the world is an adventure. It is not always possible to have a clear picture of specific issues before arriving on site, which is why each visit is so important. The variety of my work means that I need to know a lot; I work with many different customers and their personnel and with many different machines. So that I can be well-informed about any machine in particular, and how best to help a customer make the most effective service choice, I also need to know about all our equipment and spare parts, and the history of specific installations. Bruks Siwertell is a company where everyone works towards the same goal; to solve challenges together for the benefit of the customer. This is a good working environment and I am happy.
BULK HANDLING NEWS
31
ABOUT BRUKS SIWERTELL Bruks Siwertell is a market-leading supplier of dry bulk handling and wood processing systems. With thousands of installations worldwide, our machines handle your raw materials from forests, fields, quarries and mines, maintaining critical supply lines for manufacturers, mills, power plants and ports. We design, produce and deliver systems for loading, unloading, conveying, storing, and stacking and reclaiming dry bulk materials, alongside equipment for chipping, screening, milling and processing wood for the bioenergy, biofuel, board, sawmill, pulp and paper industries. We are global and local. You will find our main offices in the US, Sweden, Germany, China, the Philippines, Russia and Taiwan, supported by a dedicated network of hundreds of representatives and dealers worldwide. An extensive global service team offers support to all Bruks Siwertell customers whenever and wherever it is needed.
SHIP UNLOADING · SHIP LOADING · TRUCK UNLOADING STORAGE & RECLAIMING · CHIPPING · GRINDING & MILLING CONVEYING · SCREENING · WOOD RESIDUE PROCESSING
bruks-siwertell.com
