An important part of advanced facilities for the transfer of bulk materials are storage and transport systems that optimize throughput times. Forward-looking, future-oriented solutions are characterized by the smooth integration of these systems into an automation hierarchy and simple, inexpensive operation. Unrelenting cost pressures are forcing the owners/operators of bulk handling facilities to identify and exploit rationalization potential. Significant savings can be achieved through unmanned operation of stackers, reclaimers, or combined machines. With this in mind, Siemens has developed a unique method to optimize reclaiming operations in reliable and safe unmanned operation.
The current market for industrial systems is characterized by short innovation cycles, massive rationalization pressures, and growing complexity of equipment. Distributed systems and the great automation depth required make special demands on communication and automation systems attempting to maintain clear, easy-to-follow structures while guaranteeing maximum operation safety.
What is more, growing requirements placed on the interaction between material storage and handling systems can only be met with logistics concepts that ensure both an effortless exchange between information and material flows and convenient handling functions in later operation.
Drawing from our wealth of technical and technological experience, we have developed a uniform automation package for bulk material transport and storage: the SILAG® storage area management system.
Stockpiles B and C are combined working and reserve stockpiles and will be operated under these conditions by the customer (VEAG). To this end a number of special legal and organizational agreements are to be reached. The automatic operation of the three major system components (KSS 1000, belt-to-train loading facility and, at a later date, a stacker) was considered an essential means of optimizing the process.
The aim is to run the system with as little operator intervention as possible. To achieve this the frequently changing work locations must be able to go into operation centrally without any delay. Once the operator's team has switched from one piece of equipment to another the necessary monitoring, operating and control functions are to be secured. This allows a single team to look after more than one item of equipment.
In this concept, the coal is to be recovered by the KSS (when the mine has stopped working) and loaded without the need for a central control point. The process control systems required can be switched to the KSS in this case.