By Carol Brzozowski, MSW Management
May 20, 2016
“How easily materials flow through a plant from tip floor to processing, to product storage, to baling can make or break a plant’s chance at success.” Brian Schellati, Van Dyk Recycling Solution
Caterpillar application specialists always work with the mantra of “task, tool, machine,” notes Tom Griffith, machine/application specialist for waste.
A material recovery facility must be designed to handle inbound, recovery, and outbound loads to meet specific production requirements and efficiencies while keeping costs low.
One key design factor includes inbound storage space adequate for tonnage per day as well as peaks, says Griffith. “Peak outbound—depending on who owns trucking—sometimes is not the same as peak inbound. Inbound stockpile needs to be close to whatever machine is feeding the sorting lines,” he adds.
Griffith notes that for quick cycles and support work, consider:
- Ceiling height
- Free space with few if any obstacles
- Easy access in and out to discard bunkers
- Conveyor line cleanup
- Width and length of the load-out hole
- And types of load-out, such as below grade, half separation, or same level
In addition, depending on the required production per hour, the work tool and machine need to be right-sized to handle such system factors as inbound, outbound, sort and discard, and line feed notes Griffith.
Factors to consider:
- Tonnage per hour
- Peak volumes and tonnages
- Support that is needed, with other activities performed by the machine.
Other considerations in equipping primary and secondary machines:
- Required production per to meet sort line numbers
- Material type
- Type of end load
- And the type of floor
Other points of consideration in matching work tools and a machine include possible storage, high-lift capabilities for higher stockpiling by the wheel loader, or a larger tool/front end for the wheeled hex or excavator, he says.
For example, of Caterpillar’s technologies, the waste industry utilizes VisionLink and Product Link telematics for fuel and machine utilization; Payload Control System to help achieve immediate and consistent outbound weights, and traction control to lower tire costs, fuel use, and floor wear.
Caterpillar’s XE wheel loaders get designed so that MRF and other operators can derive more efficient use of power to the ground with lower costs for fuel, tires, and maintenance and increased production, Griffith says.
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