Trade Port Posiet, part of Mechel Group’s transport division (managed by Mecheltrans Management Co), has started testing specialised equipment to suppress dust at the port’s outdoor coal storage areas in Russia.
The port acquired a stationary sprinkler system for coal storage from thyssenkrupp as part of its technical upgrade investment project. This system consists of 22 automatic sprinklers that operate “as natural rain” and ensures year-round dust suppression in the production area. The system’s water discharge rate is up to 96 cu.m/h.
The first four sprinklers have been assembled, connected to a 2.9-km trunk pipeline and checked for pressure integrity, according to Mechel. After these tests, the port’s staff pronounced the first sprinkler line ready for launch. To prevent mechanical damage, the port constructed concrete safety barriers separating the sprinklers and haul roads.
The launching of the stationary sprinkler system at the port’s storage areas is the latest stage of the company’s efforts to upgrade the port’s infrastructure and reduce its environmental impact, Mechel said. It is due to be launched in the March quarter.
Mecheltrans Management Company OOO’s Chief Executive Officer, Alexey Lebedev, said: “A work zone sprinkler system is an efficient instrument widely used in specialised terminals dealing with loose goods. What is important is that the sprinkler system will be managed from a central dispatch. A special program will determine the sprinkler operating algorithm that would be the most effective in suppressing dust at any given moment.
“In addition, the trans-shipment complex’s operator will finetune the sprinkler system’s work, depending on the wind’s strength and vector, the state of handled coal and other factors. This way we will ensure accurate control of the dust suppression system.”
Trade Port Posiet’s technical upgrade project includes various ways of reducing the port’s impact on the environment. Coal is currently unloaded by railcar dumpers in a closed space equipped with de-dusting systems that rule out the chance of dust escaping into the open air. In the winter, railcars with thawed coal are moved after defrosting into the railcar dumper facility via a covered conveyor gallery. Coal transfer stations are also equipped with de-dusting systems. Conveyor lines are additionally equipped with metal galleries to protect the environment from coal dust. As coal is transferred into storage areas, it is moistened by a water dispersion system installed on stacker/reclaimers.
Mechel Group’s investments into creating a computerised terminal at Port Posiet exceed RUB4 billion ($61 million). The port’s trans-shipment capacity enables the company to export up to 9 Mt/y of coal.