Mechanical Technology February 2016

⎪ Materials handling and minerals processing ⎪

In the coal processing industry, the total cost of ownership (TCO) model is heavily dependent on strategies that lower the initial capital cost of replacement screening machines. Coupled with this is an emphasis on an improvement in the overall durability of traditional coal dewatering screens towards lower operating costs. Weir Minerals’ Kurt O’Bryan (below left) and Winchester Maphosa (below right) explain. Coal dewatering solutions for lower ownership costs

Using finite element analysis assists in providing lower cost solutions to customers.

matching solutions to specific customer needs and applications. He notes that the company’s latest developments in coal screening technology are focused on increasing the size and mechanical dura- bility of its coal duty vibrating screen line. The Enduron ® product range from Weir Minerals – formerly known as Linatex ® – concentrates on increasing throughput and decreasing downtime. The supply and installation of Linatex screening equipment in the coal industry spans a number of decades. The first Linatex dewatering screens for a coal ap- plication were supplied in 1983 to Anglo

American Coal’s Kleinkopje operation in South Africa. Linatex dewatering screens have since been successfully supplied for fine coal applications, where they significantly reduce the moisture content of the fines product. Over 450 Linatex banana and hori- zontal screens in single and double deck format, sieve bend static screens and horizontal rotary screens have been sup- plied to the coal industry for applications ranging from primary dewatering and desliming to dewatering of final product. The customer list includes Anglo Coal, BHP Billiton – now South 32 – Exxaro,

A ccording to O’Bryan, Weir Minerals’ global product man- ager for screens and screen media, achieving TCO goals is possible by carefully and strategically

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Mechanical Technology — February 2016