THE recent delivery of four new Samson Eco Hoppers, for the discharge of dry bulk materials at Kenya’s Port of Mombasa, is set to significantly improve port facilities, also minimising the environmental impact of bulk handling operations at the harbour.
Kenya Port Authority (KPA), in conjunction with TradeMark East Africa (MEA), has embarked on a port improvement initiative – the Mombasa Resilient Infrastructure Programme (MRIP) – which involves the development of resilient infrastructure at the Port of Mombasa, aimed at creating a modern regional hub to support growing trade in the area, at the same time protecting important natural resources.
This programme to transform the port into a ‘green’ facility, is in line with new regulations from global maritime authorities, which state shippers will be required to adopt new measures to address the negative impact of their operations on the environment.
“Implementation of the MRIP has involved a substantial investment in new equipment, selected to improve efficiencies of dry bulk cargo handling and to mitigate environmental damage from fugitive dust. Samson Materials Handling was awarded the contract – with the support of BLTWORLD, covering Africa and Indian Ocean Islands, in conjunction with Artlantis Investments of Kenya – to supply four Eco Hoppers,” said Ken Mouritzen, Managing Director, BLTWORLD.
“These Samson Eco Hoppers, which are manufactured to withstand tough conditions, are the first dust filtration import hoppers to be provided with ATEX certification. This important classification gives KPA the assurance that these ecological hoppers can be used safely in potentially explosive atmospheres.”
He added that the hoppers – which are designed to handle the characteristics and flow properties of bulk materials, including cement clinker, coal and gypsum – provide dust and spillage-free unloading through a dust control system that minimises the escape of dust during the grab discharge cycle.
“Peak rates of 700 tph per hopper, are expected to considerably improve the import capabilities of the port.” Fully mobile Samson hoppers, with powered travel and crabbing functionality for easy positioning alongside the vessel during unloading, can be manoeuvred off the quay, freeing up space when they are not in use.
These hoppers have an upper and lower section, separated by a dust retention feature, the ‘Flex-Flap’. This divider, which comprises a series of pressed steel sections and vertical rubber flaps, opens to allow the free flow of material into the hopper and closes to prevent the flow of air out of the hopper.
When bulk material is released by the grab, it falls through the Flex-Flap and accumulates in the inner hopper below. The hopper system automatically closes as a result of the newly created pressure differential between the hopper and the atmosphere, forming a seal to contain the dust contaminated air. Integral reverse jet filters are positioned around the hopper inlet to extract and clean the dust laden air. Collected dust is then re-cycled into the mainstream of material.
The Flex-Flap feature reduces the volume of exhausted air necessary to control fugitive dust and requires the use of small, compact filters rather than a large de-dusting system.
A team of engineers is currently working on commissioning these hoppers and a comprehensive operator training programme is in place for Kenya Port Authority.
BLTWORLD’s Samson-AUMUND range of bulk handling equipment includes link conveyors, grab hoppers, surface feeders, radial boom stackers and mobile shiploaders. Also in the range are conveyors and wagon tipplers, heavy-duty apron feeders, silo and hopper discharge systems and inclined bucket conveyors.
Custom-designed bulk handling solutions, that suit specific application requirements, are also available.
BLTWORLD offers a technical advisory, parts and maintenance support service in Africa and Indian Ocean Islands.