Aury Africa was recently tasked with redesigning a Centrifugal & Mechanical Industries (CMI) 1400 generic basket, which is able to achieve very low moisture levels, for a mining company in Witbank. Water used in coal processes can be considered a contaminant, as it reduces the effective heating value of coal. Coal is adequately dewatered using conventional screens or basket centrifuges. Centrifuge baskets are used for common dewatering technique for raw fine coal, as they are generally simple, cheap and robust. The dewatered coal is sold commercially as a raw product.
Aury Africa MD Mark Houchin explains that the centrifuge basket was custom-made for the mine. “We measured up an old basket and made a thrift basket in our workshop in Johannesburg, and it was put in seven weeks ago and is still running. The mine tried other suppliers to manufacture a new basket for the operation, but they wouldn’t last.”
The actual manufacture of the basket started in March 2016, which was then tested to ensure product quality. Due to the success of the basket, Aury Africa has also been tasked with repairing the mine’s other baskets. Aury Africa produces wear-resistant baskets for a variety of applications and process consumables to fit a range of OEM products.
“We provide a cost-conscious alternative to traditional suppliers. We have many years of experience in making baskets for various companies. We are quite used to dealing with different types of baskets and know what needs to be done to make a basket last. A high-quality basket is supposed to process at least 50,000 t of coal in its lifespan,” states Houchin.
Houchin highlights that Aury Africa prides itself on being able to engineer winning solutions for existing plant maintenance issues and thereby increase uptime, while ensuring lower site costs and higher profits. “Coal prices are at a low and cost is becoming a big thing, with companies trying to cut costs in their operations. We have come up with cost-effective solutions without compromising quality,” Houchin concludes.