MacGregor systems provide flexible cement handling for new Japanese cement carrier
MacGregor, part of Cargotec, has secured a new order for autonomous loading and unloading systems for an 8,700 dwt cement carrier to be built for Japanese shipowner Taiheiyo Kisen Kaisha Ltd., said in the company's press release.
"The totally enclosed cement handling arrangements will ensure flexible, efficient and clean cargo operations," says Anders Berencsy, Sales Manager, Selfunloaders at MacGregor. "An additional benefit is that the computer-controlled systems are programmed for automatic operation by just one person."
The 109m vessel will have four cargo holds, each divided into two compartments. The cement handling system is designed to carry up to three grades of cement in each shipment.
During loading operations, the ship's deck-mounted receiving aeroslide is connected to the shore facilities by flexible bellows; loading can be achieved on either side of the vessel.
The cement is then transferred to two short intermediate aeroslides by means of hydraulically-actuated flow control gates. These transfer the cargo to two reversible horizontal screw conveyors. One moves the cement forward to holds 1 and 2; the other serves holds 3 and 4. A combination of hydraulically-actuated sliding gates, flexible connections, hydraulically-actuated flow dividers and transfer aeroslides complete the delivery of the cement to the selected drop off points. Maximum level guards indicate when the holds are full, while pneumatically-operated shut-off valves avoid contamination between different grades of cement.
Sloping aeration panels installed on the tanktop of each hold are the first elements in the discharge system. Air blown through the panels fluidises the cement, allowing it to flow towards the centre of the hold, where it feeds into a ver¬tical screw conveyor equipped with two remote-controlled flow control gates.
At deck level the cement returns to the reversible horizontal screw conveyors and is conveyed to a buffer hopper inside the pump room, located amidships. From the hopper the blow pump system transfers the cement to a silo ashore via two pipes. Dust collectors are installed on deck.
MacGregor is the world's leading brand of engineering solutions and services for handling marine cargoes and offshore loads. MacGregor products serve the maritime transportation, offshore and naval logistics markets, in ports and terminals as well as on board ships. Our cargo flow solutions integrate cargo access, stowage, care and handling functions to suit a particular ship's cargo profile. This benefits its productivity, environmental impact and profitable service lifetime. www.macgregor-group.com
MacGregor is part of Cargotec. Cargotec's sales totalled EUR 3.3 billion in 2012 and it employs approximately 10,000 people. Cargotec's class B shares are quoted on NASDAQ OMX Helsinki under symbol CGCBV.
