Modern Quarrying Q3 2018

Water use restrictions and permitting challenges continue to increase, making it harder for operations to find ways to stay profitable while using fewer resources. As a result, aggregates and mining operations are moving toward new technology to conserve natural resources while increasing long-term savings and ROI. By Duncan High , division manager – processing equipment technology, Haver & Boecker. STAYING PROFITABLE

THOUGHT LEADERSHIP – WASHING

O ne way the industry has adapted to conserve water is through the use of settling ponds. Advanced washing systems, such as Haver & Boecker’s Hydro-Clean, when paired with a settling pond, can reduce water consumption by as much as 75% over traditional washing systems. That allows operations to cut their water use and limit their water treatment requirements and nec- essary equipment. It also makes an advanced washing system more favourable as governments push aggregate producers to use new tech- nology to meet new restrictions. Plus, some new washing sys- tems can pump water at very high pressures – as high as 2 000 psi – through spray nozzles at 211 gpm in a matter of seconds. That’s a huge benefit to operations running under strict restrictions. The equipment’s high-pressure jets effectively remove fines and dirt from deep crevices, such as marine limestone or porous rock. The advanced washing systems can be used to wash pre-screened materials, which have small fines sticking to the larger particles. This is accomplished by washing the mate- rial initially and conducting a final rinse over a vibrating screen. Cut energy consumption Producers can save as much as 15% in energy costs by switching to new

Aggregate producers can save as much as 15% in energy costs and 75% in water consumption by switching to new washing systems such as the Hydro-Clean.

washing systems. Part of this is due to the speed at which the new washers complete a cycle. On average, alternative washing methods, such as log washers, retain materials for three minutes or more while materials stay in a high-pressure washing drum for just seconds. Salvage waste materials Best of all, advanced washing systems can restore value from what might have previously been deemed waste – reducing waste streams and breathing new life into vital resources, while putting more money in the producer’s pocket. Advanced washing systems can do a lot to reduce an operation’s environmental footprint, as well as help improve profits. Work with a manufacturer to determine the best fit for each site and its unique characteristics. l

ABOUT DUNCANHIGH

Duncan High is the division manager of Processing Equipment Technology at Haver & Boecker. His 28 years of experience with the company, which was formerly called W.S. Tyler, helps him lead a team focused on providing customers processing equipment solutions to help them get the highest possible production rates and reliability.

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MODERN QUARRYING QUARTER 3 - 2018