Hatch improves iron ore flow and reduces blockages in a rail tippler using Rocky DEM
DEM simulations provided an in-depth understanding of the behavior of bulk material in a rail tippler to reduce blockages in frozen materials processing
Hatch, a global engineering and development consultant, needed to optimize integrated equipment and processes for its client, Iron Ore Company of Canada (IOC). The company was facing iron ore flow problems associated with adverse weather conditions and frozen, lumpy material in rail tipplers.
The engineering team turned to DEM simulations to analyze the loading process. Rocky DEM’s breakage model provided a broad insight into the behavior of the iron ore, allowing for design updates in the lump-breaking mechanism.
With these insights, the mechanism can be designed and optimized to work more efficiently, boosting iron ore flow, reducing blockages, and accelerating the unloading process.
“With Rocky DEM’s breakage model, we were able to discover how little lump breakage was occurring and what was needed to break the lumps up sufficiently for the iron ore to pass through during the tippler operation. These are key insights that will help optimize the equipment to reduce blockages and make sure the material moves more effectively and efficiently.”
Luke Stone
Mechanical Engineer, Hatch Australia
Hatch’s client IOC was facing iron ore flow problems associated with adverse weather conditions and frozen, lumpy material in rail tipplers, resulting in downtime and possible wear and tear on the equipment.
Hatch engineers applied Rocky’s breakage model as an engineering solution to simulate the loading process and discover how lump breakage was occurring, and how to break them up for the material to pass through during the tippler operation.
By analyzing the process, Rocky DEM’s simulations helped provide key insights for engineers to optimize IOC’s lump-breaking mechanism, allowing for design updates to reduce blockages and equipment downtime.
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