An optimized plant design must take into account every component in the process flow. Global best practices stress the importance of incorporating transfer chutes specifically designed and engineered for the given application. Weba Chute Systems, a result of extensive research and development, plays a pivotal role in the mineral processing industry.
In South Africa, many project houses tend to undervalue transfer chutes when compared to other capital-intensive plant components. There is also a mistaken belief that cost-cutting measures in chute fabrication can lead to reduced expenses, but ironically, poorly constructed chutes end up costing customers more in the long run.
The uncontrolled discharge of bulk materials through conventional chutes leads to higher maintenance and replacement costs. Given their critical role, the design and engineering of transfer points must be carefully considered, as they can easily hinder efficient operation.
The global mining community now acknowledges that inadequate design and implementation of transfer points can result in increased maintenance costs for mineral processing systems. This goes against the notion that chutes are merely fabricated platework.
Weba Chute Systems adopts a scientific approach to bulk materials handling at transfer points, offering numerous benefits when customized during the design phase. These advantages include reduced maintenance, improved transfer conditions, prolonged conveyor belt life, and increased throughput.
Managing material transfer onto the conveyor belt significantly reduces wear and tear and minimizes dust emissions, leading to cost savings and improved occupational health and safety compliance.
With extensive field experience and input from a knowledgeable team of engineers, Weba Chute Systems has evolved to provide tailor-made solutions that deliver a high return on investment for each project. By addressing the unique characteristics and requirements of each transfer point within a plant, these chutes become integral to the plant's operation, similar to screens, grizzlies, or feeders.
Mark Baller, managing director of Weba Chute Systems, advises against opting for cheap, off-the-shelf transfer chutes. He emphasizes that such subpar chutes can become liabilities in a plant, ultimately increasing long-term operational costs.
Baller believes that practical experience and expertise cannot be replaced by sophisticated computer programs. He underscores the importance of the intellectual property within the engineering team and the value of their hands-on knowledge.
Baller's team uses Discrete Element Method (DEM) simulation as a verification tool, but they rely primarily on their own engineering tools and practical knowledge to provide high-quality chute solutions to customers.
He urges project houses and mineral processing companies to consider the repercussions of using inferior transfer chutes in plant design. The long-term costs can include extensive maintenance, chute modifications, or complete replacements, all of which result in downtime and income loss.
Baller concludes by emphasizing that they are not in competition with project houses. Custom engineering is essential to ensure that transfer point solutions precisely match the specific parameters of each application, ultimately leading to improved material flow, reduced maintenance, and satisfied customers.