Bauxite
In line with our diversified project basis, we are acutely aware of the strict requirement for providers and suppliers to know the moisture levels of their product, particularly in transport and for the industrial force-drying of bauxite in kilns and rotary dryers.
BAUXITE
Too much and too little moisture can result in a loss of control of the product and create reduced returns. At Moisture Reduction Systems Limited, we can help you manage those moisture levels to the desired level in a much quicker time frame and put the control back in your hands.
Our solution is installed at the stockpile itself and will contribute in your meeting the moisture content specified in delivery contracts as well as meeting the TML requirements in a much quicker timeframe. This allows much faster throughput of the material. We are conscious of the penalties encountered not just commercially, but also operationally as if the product is too wet, the cost of transporting, loading, preparing and drying the material can be prohibitively expensive both financially and with time.
In the use of ambient unheated air-drying and stockpiling of material, whilst the costs are lower, the time taken to reach the desired level is much longer. This gives rise to a risk of the material becoming wet again, or increasing in its already saturated state. This can then lead to a potential risk of stockpile collapse, or delayed vessel loading.
The point of our focus is to manage this and to provide a solution that will enable the material to be stockpiled and left in the open but to not affect the timelines for loading and departure of the vessels and trains. Our system will remove this high moisture level so as to enable faster turnaround of the stockpiled material and guaranteed loading and departure of the vessels, together with faster and shorter time in the force-drying process.
With our focus and determination to provide a solution that fits with the needs of our customers, we aim to remove and prevent the build-up of high moisture and put the control back in your hands.
Situation
Loading of wet material is often a challenge faced by many producers, particularly in climates that experience high rainfall. The increased moisture and water in the material leads to a reduced capacity in the total cargo load, but also leads to increased residence time for the stockpile to allow for natural drainage to take effect. These are two of the primary reasons that MRS Ltd were contacted by one of the world’s largest bauxite producers. Due to significant rainfall during the wet season, the material would be subject to longer residence times and so MRS were tasked with providing a solution to help reduce the time, which could lead to costly delays and reduced cargo loads.
One of the problems that the client was experiencing was related to a capillary action cycle of water being reabsorbed back into the stockpile base, particularly during the wet season.
With this material, there was a high clay content which was leading to reduced drainage and low permeability. This had the potential to cause operational inefficiencies owing to the peak-month average rainfall being in excess of 28mm per day.
The challenge
- Reduce moisture content and remove significant surrounding water
- Help to reduce residence time
- Discharge water away from stockpile
- Prevent capillary action at the base of the stockpile
Before
After
Solution
MRS installed their patented system to meet these challenges and from the outset and the moment the system was switched on; the water was visibly removed and discharged from the area.
SEE ALSO
