Cargotec to deliver Siwertell unit for Alunorte’s latest expansion programme

Environmental benefits and machine efficiency are two of the key reasons as to why one of the world’s largest alumina producers, Alunorte, opted for a Siwertell alumina ship loader from Cargotec Planned to come into operation at the end of this year is a newly-designed Siwertell alumina ship loader from Cargotec. It is designed to load Kamsarmax-type vessels up to 80,000 dwt and is destined for a production plant in Barcarena, Para, which is located in Northeast Brazil.

The plant is owned by one of the world’s largest alumina producers, Alunorte. From an annual production of 1.6 million tonnes of alumina in 2000, by 2006, Alunorte’s yearly output had increased to 4.2 million tonnes and its latest planned expansion will increase this figure to around 6.3 million tonnes per year.

Cargotec was contracted to replace the company’s existing belt-type ship loader, which needs to be changed because of problems related to high dust emissions. “Cargotec’s new Siwertell ship loader is built on a different design concept, than the old existing loader,” explains Mr Douglas Wichers, Sales Manager for bulk terminals. “The new design is based on a totally-enclosed air slide system and a Cleveland cascade-type vertical telescopic loading spout. In combination with two dust collectors at the transfer points, this will be a very efficient loading system when it comes to the elimination of dust emissions into the environment.”

The loader is based on a travelling gantry design with one horizontal arm capable of slewing and luffing motions and is fitted with a vertically adjustable loading spout. The operator cabin is located on a cabin arm extended out over the ship’s hold. This allows the operator to have a perfect view over the loading operation.

The designed loading capacity of the new alumina ship loader is 2,500t/h, but due to the feeding capacity – from land-side tube conveyors – this is reduced to about 2,000t/h. “The loader can obviously not process more than the incoming material flow,” Mr Wichers notes. “If Alunorte decides to increase the tube conveyor’s capacity, then the Siwertell loader is already prepared for such an increase.”

Alunorte was founded through an agreement between the Japanese and Brazilian Governments. Its ownership comprises: 57 per cent AluVale; 34 per cent Norsk Hydro; and the remaining shares are divided between Mitsui, Mitsubishi, and Nippon Aluminium.

(Source: Transport Weekly)