DUST-FREE CLINKER UNLOADING FROM SHIPS - A NEW SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM

At present harbour cranes with cable-operated grabs are often used for unloading clinker ships. Ship unloading systems for cement clinker th erefore create a great deal of dust nuisance both for the operators an d the environment Hydraulically driven cranes with rod-linkage jibs an d hydraulic grabs facilitate positive grab control with high handling capacities. Suitable positioning of the hopper and extraction conveyor s leads to shorter grab travel. The discharge hopper is dedusted effic iently with compact filters and a special grid covering. One special t echnical feature is the device for dedusting the grab. Due to the part icular design of the crane with rod-linkage jib it is possible to run dedusting pipes out to the grab so that the immediate vicinity of the grab can be dedusted by an annular nozzle. Alternative dedusting schem es, such as spraying water on dust sources which are not moisture sens itive were also investigated as part of the development project.