Smart solutions for loading chutes

Cardan joints

For chutes used for loading ships, Cimbria has developed a series of standard cardan joints. The chutes are often attached to a conveying boom that can move up and down to facilitate the varying sizes of ships or height differences due to the tidal action. The cardan joint between the boom and the chute provides a variable angle, so that the chute always remains in a vertical position, even in the parking position. An exactly vertical position ensures an optimal flow of the product during loading. In addition, the wear factor on the inlet and guiding cones of the chute is reduced to a minimum.

Custom-made | Previously, the cardan joints were designed and constructed as one-off solutions, taking into account the specific application (product, process, location, etc.). A widely applicable standard range has now been developed based on Cimbria's extensive experience in making such equipment. Complete solutions can be realised quickly and efficiently. Custom solutions are of course still possible for special applications.

Flexible cardan joints | When designing the joints, the construction height and weight have been kept as low as possible. Wear plates can also be placed in the hopper of the joint. This makes the coupling flexible to adapt to the nature of the bulk material. For example, steel, Hardox and Vautid wear plates are available. All product contact parts can be made of stainless steel. The easy-to-replace, maintenance-friendly joints are available for all chutes sizes and equipped with a counterweight.

 

Radial trimmers

The latest addition to the Cimbria range is the radial trimmer. This rotating spout is available with different options depending on the application and end user requirements. The accessory is mounted on a precision slewing ring on the outlet of the loading chute and can be controlled remotely. The device, which is used continuously or intermittently, distributes the product evenly in the ship's hold. This way the hold below deck is filled to the maximum with a minimum of machine movements.

The radial trimmer is available in a stainless steel version and can be fitted with wear-resistant plates. The adjustable counterweight ensures a stable loading situation.

Water spraying systems

Dust emissions sometimes can be reduced by spraying the product with water during loading. The prerequisite, of course, is that this does not adversely affect the properties of the product. Coal, coke and iron ore, for example, can easily be sprayed. In that case, no extraction is required and the risk of a dust explosion is minimised.

The sprinkler system consists of a water hose on a reel (or a spiral hose), which follows the chute as it is extended or retracted, and a spray ring with nozzles. During loading, the water flows through the hose into the spray ring at the outlet of the chute. The number of nozzles on the spray ring depends on the size of the outlet. When loading is complete, the water supply is turned off and the loading chutes retracted. The water spray system is suitable for both smaller loading chutes (typical for loading in open trucks) and larger chutes (typical for ship loading). The system is available with manual or electric control.

Special outlets

A particular challenge when loading train wagons (with, for example, fertilizer) is the variety of filling openings on the wagons, even though they are almost all rectangular in shape. For a dust-free loading, it is necessary to cover the entire filling opening.

Cimbria has designed a number of special outlets for this purpose. These are rectangular steel plates that are constructed to fit exactly on the filling opening. This means that during loading, all the dust is extracted via the chutes and the working environment remains clean. The outlets can be combined with a FlexClose closing cone, which closes the outlet when the charging chute is not in use. Another option is the rotating FlexFill cone, which spreads the product in the train wagons to achieve maximum filling.

CIMBRIA Moduflex loading chutes

TBMA is the official distributor and service center of Cimbria Moduflex in the Netherlands and Belgium. For more than 40 years, Cimbria Moduflex has been providing safe and efficient solutions to prevent dust development when loading dry bulk goods into ships, bulk trucks and trains or stockpiling these goods. New accessories for loading chutes have recently been added to the range of the Danish company. Some of them are designed for a specific task, others for more general use.

Check out more info loading chutes. Or contact us at sales@tbma.com (NL) or sales@tbma.be (BE)