Vigan Horizontal and Vertical Feeders for Simporter Bulk Ship Unloaders
Overview of Case Study
We have manufactured both types of feeders for Vigan Engineering. The first was a Vertical Feeder for Vietnam. We fabricated all the component parts in mild steel, Hardox 400 and stainless steels, including the gearbox, conveying screws, etc, machined them, painted them, assembled them and factory tested the complete assembly. We have also made Horizontal Feeders for Ports in Pakistan and Korea. The Feeder for Pakistan was manufactured mostly in S355 (50D) to withstand the occasional low temperatures.
Further Details Of Project
The Vigan SIMPORTER System
The need for an efficient high capacity bulk ship unloader responsive to environmental requirements, and capable of unloading modern bulk carriers quickly, quietly and efficiently has led to the development of the Vigan twin-belt SIMPORTER system which has already gained world-wide acceptance as the most efficient unloader available for grain and has been adapted for other bulk materials including coal and phosphates.
The system is a method of conveying bulk materials in an essentially vertical direction by means of a pair of conveyor belts, which hold the material "sandwich fashion" between them. When being elevated and conveyed the material is in contact only with the belts, which are held together by a combination of edge seals and gentle air pressure.
Whereas grabs and most types of mechanical unloader can only convey in a vertical or near vertical direction, the SIMPORTER possesses exceptional flexibility to reach into a ship's hold. This results from the ability of the elevator leg to kick-in and out by up to 40 deg from the vertical, in combination with luffing and slewing motions as well as travel along quayside rails.
Feeder
There are now two types of feeder developed for the SIMPORTER. The latest development marries proven vertical screw feeder techniques with the twin belt system. This development increases the efficiency of the SIMPORTER when handling non-free flowing and difficult to handle materials such as Soya Bean meal.
The vertical screw feeder is able to cut it’s way into the material even if there is a firm crust developed over the material. The action of the contra-rotating screws, the outer cutting into the material and the inner taking the material away into the belts system is very effective. Higher capacities with non-free flowing materials can be achieved than with the conventional horizontal feeder.
The original horizontal feeder consists of a rotating shaft fitted with a multi-bladed paddle flanked by 2 screw sections, one with right hand and one with left hand flights. The arrangement enables material in the hold to be conveyed to the central section of the feeder from which it is projected between the two belts. The horizontal feeder has, dependant on the material being handled, two specific types. The first is the conventional "fixed speed" type, which is provided to suit particular products. The second is a variable speed feeder for use where the SIMPORTER will be required to unload a variety of products. The feeder outer screw sections can run at a different speed to the main paddles, which is particularly useful where it is required to vary the throughput of the unloader or where there is the occasional requirement to unload poorer flowing materials. This variable speed feature is used to adjust the unloading characteristics of the SIMPORTER to achieve the maximum capacity for each individual product and capacity required.
For further information on Simporter bulk ship unloaders go to www.vigan.com.
Photo Gallery
Video Gallery
Are you interested?
Customer Comments
"VIGAN Engineering have been working with W A Cooke of Worsley for a number of years and during this time we have found them to be proactive and conscientious in their approach to undertaking fabrication and assembly work to our most exacting standards. The nature of the equipment entrusted to them is at the heart of our ship unloader and requires significant attention to detail. The engineers at W A Cooke have been able to assist VIGAN in our designs by suggesting alternative manufacturing methods and techniques resulting in both financial savings and technical improvements."
Mike Potts C.Eng., F.I.MechE;, MIQ, Senior Project Director at Vigan