As a single source supplier with a full value proposition aimed FLSmidth is able to offer custom engineered solutions that will facilitate lower cost per ton on process plants. Recent acquisitions have seen the company close the gaps in its product suite with the result that it no longer needs to outsource requirements to external vendors. This is illustrated by African experience. “This ability to cover the complete coal processing flowsheet allows FLSmidth to participate more fully in what is a key focus industry for us,” Peter Lohrman, Managing Director of FLSmidth South Africa says.
The company’s technology capability extends from bulk materials handling to coal beneficiation and covers not only the supply of capital equipment solutions, but also a comprehensive technical support through its field service teams.
Theo Winterbach, Engineering Manager at FLSmidth Roymec, says this ability to manage equipment engineering in-house has a massive benefit for the customer as it allows the company to adapt its products to offer workable solutions.
“Servicing and maintenance of a broad range of coal equipment is vital to ensure the high levels of reliability needed in this hard pressed sector, and our technical personnel are always available to ensure a rapid response to technical queries. In addition, our Delmas-based Supercenter will also carry a comprehensive spare parts stockholding and is on the coal sector’s doorstep,” Winterbach explains.
FLSmidth’s coal value proposition is best illustrated at a major project in Mozambique where a spectrum of its equipment brands has been installed on the same operation, including the innovative Ludowici Reflux Classifier®(RC). It represents state-of-the-art in fine particle technology (gravity based separation)with proven efficiency benefits over traditional equipment. These units also offer proven advantages in capacity, adaptability and efficiency with operating units across continents.
FLSmidth also provides innovative solutions for all facets of ore handling in underground coal mining operations with expertise in crushers, sizers and feeder breakers and more than 1,700 installed items worldwide. This equipment range includes Dorr-Oliver® mine hoists, head sheaves, cages, skips, mine cars, loading stations, spill pockets and conveyance suspension. The company also maintains a leading position in the field of mine hoist technology through the Vecor® brand.
The material handling business in Africa has hundreds of materials handling installations incorporating trusted brand names such as Möller, KOCH, MVT, RAHCO, Conveyor Engineering and FLSmidth Pneumatic Transport. FLSmidth Roymec draws on complete bulk handling system technologies to process bulk coal material from ROM material to any final destination.
From its coal classification and water-based cleaning line-up, the company supplies a range of equipment including hydrocyclones and classifiers, spiral concentrators including Ludowici coal centrifuges, vibrating screens and complementary wear resistant products. FLSmidth’s Wemco® HMS systems are operating across many coal operations and it supplies a comprehensive range of modular Dense Media Cyclone plants using Krebs® Heavy Media Cyclones and Wemco® Heavy Media Drums.
FLSmidth’s line of high performance slurry handling equipment offers complete slurry, vertical, centrifugal and pneumatic pump assemblies under industry leading brands Krebs® millMAXTM severe duty slurry pumps and Dorr-Oliver® ODS pumps.
The company is the world’s largest flotation equipment supplier with over 55,000 units sold. It is at the forefront of the trend to install fewer but larger units rather than multiple smaller cells to save space, power, maintenance and auxiliaries. It has pioneered large cell technology, from its first Wemco® 257 m3 cell installed in 2003 to today’s 650 m3 SuperCells. It also supplies the world’s largest thickeners with the highest torque ratings.
It has manufactured pressure and vacuum filters since 1910 and continues to supply filtration technology for coal processing flow sheets throughout the world.
Research and development is important to FLSmidth.The company offers a broad range of materials and process analysis, as well as pilot plant feasibility studies and design, construction and optimisation.