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P R O C E S S I N G S O LU T I O N S Bin Level Measuring Solution Avoids Tripper Car Mishaps Tripper cars typically function as a shiftable transfer point for raw material, moving back and forth along a track to direct the discharge of mined material at specific locations, such as conveyor loading points, mills, bins or stockpiles, for example. Krohne, a Duisburg, Germany-based provider of technology for measurement of flow, mass flow, level, pressure and temperature in process applications, reports that one of the world's largest gold mines solved a bulk storage problem by using its Optiwave 6300 non-contact radar level meter to reliably measure ore levels in multiple bins, with product height typically exceeding 10 m (33 ft). In operation, the position of the tripper car is controlled by the bin levels and the demand for material in the bins. However, due to mounting and mechanical restrictions, the existing bin level radar meters were positioned to the side of the bins and conse- quently could not measure full product level when the top of the pile approached the height of the conveyor, resulting in the possibility for ore to build up to the level of the tripper, damaging the car and causing a potentially hazardous situation. After mounting an Optiwave 6300 radar level meter on the tripper car itself, the 6300's radar proved capable of quickly locking onto and measuring the material height in each of the bins. The car-mounted radar, according to Krohne, provides redundancy for the bin-mounted radars and protects the tripper cars from damage caused by an overfilled bin. Krohne also noted that the dust and dirt inherent in handling ore makes reliable bin level measurement from a moving tripper car even more challenging. In these conditions, the 6300's radar level meter, said the company, provides a more stable and responsive measurement than pulse radar because it features a teardrop antenna design that prevents product build-up in dusty applications. In addition, the unit's frequency-modulated, continuous-wave (FMCW) measuring principle provides continuous measurement at high bandwidth, resulting in enhanced reliability and accuracy in the presence of strong multiple reflections, like a dusty environment. An installation wizard specifically for solids, powders and granulates permits the instrument to measure uneven surfaces accurately with ranges up to 80 m (260 ft). maintenance costs, as well as minimize particulate emissions. "Metso was the only supplier with the ability to offer a very high-capacity singleline system," said Yuri Pedan, key account manager for Russia at Metso's Pyro, Mining and Construction group. The drying system will dry high-grade iron ore concentrate at a rate of 625 mt/h in one processing line. The delivery consists of a direct-fired rotary dryer, including process and equipment design, firing system, air pollution control equipment, instrumentation, plant control system and project management. Metso said the contract is included in its Mining and Construction Q42012 orders received, and delivery will be completed by the fourth quarter of 2013. OAO Severstal is a major vertically integrated steel and steel-related mining company, with assets in Russia, the U.S., Ukraine, Latvia, Poland, Italy, Liberia and Brazil. Severstal's crude steel production in 2011 was 15.3 million mt. Siemens Upgrades, Expands Process Control System Siemens' Industry Automation Division has added a host of new functions to Version 8.0 of its Cemat process control system for the cement, mining and related industries. Cemat is based on Simatic PCS 7, and offers the performance features and functions of that process control system, such Russian Producer Buys Metso Drying System Krohne's Optiwave 6300 radar-based bin level meter features an antenna design that prevents product buildup in dusty conditions. 148 E&MJ; • APRIL 2013 Metso has been selected to supply OAO Severstal with a complete rotary drying system for an iron ore plant upgrade project at the Olkon mine in Olenegorsk, Russia. The high-capacity single-line system will replace multiple existing rotary dryers. Metso's delivery also includes a modern automation system, which will enable tighter control of the process. The contract's cost was not disclosed. The new drying system, according to Metso, will improve the mine's performance by implementing the latest technologies in air filtration and burner management. This will result in lower fuel consumption and reduced operational and Version 8.0 of Siemens' Cemat process control system offers the performance and features of Simatic PCS 7. www.e-mj.com