African Petrochemicals Edition_16.2

thyssenkrupp BRINGS THE TEST LABORATORY TO THE CUSTOMER’S DOORSTEP
thyssenkrupp Industrial Solutions South Africa (tkISSA) has streamlined the sample testing process with the recent
development of a mobile containerised High-Pressure Grinding Roll (HPGR) test unit. By enabling customers to test
samples on site, this eliminates the costs, time delays and complex logistics related to the transportation of samples for
testing purposes.
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The inspiration to create this distinctive
containerised laboratory was spurred on by
a customer who required the pre-crushing
of uranium ore causing various dilemmas
in ore processing, transportation logistics
as well as handling of radioactive material.
Taking all these factors into consideration,
the company came up with a gamechanging
idea; bring the test laboratory to
the customer. The mobile laboratory consists
of a semi-pilot scale HPGR fully enclosed in a
20-foot container.
“The HPGR was developed in Germany,
but we have adapted the design for
manufacturing in South Africa,” says Gerhard
Van Wyk, Process Manager: Minerals
Processing at tkISSA. When installed in the
container unit features a ground-breaking
plug-and-play configuration; as the machine
is transported as a final assembly and
customers only need to supply a main power
connection, it is possible to immediately start
the machine for production.
Depending on customers’ needs the
capabilities of the containerised laboratory
include the ability to run single pass tests
on numerous different material types. “This
would be required to determine the HPGR’s
specific performance parameters,” explains
Van Wyk. In addition, this versatile lab is also
able to process large quantities of sample
through the unit, ready for downstream
processing. “In fact, with our very first unit,
which we rolled out to a customer in Africa
in Q2 2019, was used for the crushing of a
massive 700t sample, bearing testament to
the success of our locally adapted design.”
This unit was subsequently returned to the
original installation in thyssenkrupp’s test
facility and the first test campaign since its
return has already been completed.
This containerised lab offers a host of
benefits; the fact the machine is deployed
at the rock face at the customer’s mine
removes the need for sample transportation
which leads to increased uptime and
enhanced productivity for lowest total cost of
ownership for the customer. tkISSA will also
configure the machine into the customer
flowsheet if required.
“Not only are we responsible for the
manufacture of the machine but, given
the fact that it remains on the customer’s
site for a relatively short period we are also
responsible for operation,” notes Van Wyk.
He also points out that the company will
provide an additional process engineer if the
customer requires specialised tests. In the
event of longer durations, thyssenkrupp will
train the site personnel and empower them
to operate the machine themselves.
thyssenkrupp has already received enquiries
from America, Australia and Europe for this
solution. Based on the experience gained
by operating the unit, thyssenkrupp plans
to develop Container Version 2.0 which will
incorporate Industry 4.0 equipment as well
as a wide range of upgrades.
According to Van Wyk, who is Concept
Designer and Project Manager, adapting
the containerised lab was a solid team
effort and he extends his sincere thanks
to the entire team which includes Jeffrey
Johns (Mechanical Engineer), Craig Harvey
(Workshop Manager), Louis Nel (Workshop
Apprentice), and Donald Swanepoel (Field
Service Representative).
“We are extremely proud of our in-house
developed and manufactured containerised
laboratory which sets the sample testing
benchmark,” says Philipp Nellessen,
thyssenkrupp Industrial Solutions CEO,
Sub-Sahara Africa. “By continuously tailoring
our offerings to meet customers’ needs, we
look forward to further assisting them in
maximising their productivity potential.”
About us:
The Industrial Solutions business area at
thyssenkrupp is a leading partner for the
engineering, construction and service of
industrial plants and systems. Based on more
than 200 years of experience we supply
tailored, turnkey plants and components
for customers in the chemical, fertilizer,
cement, mining and steel industries. As a
system partner to the automotive, aerospace
and naval sectors we develop highly
specialized solutions to meet the individual
requirements of our customers. More than
21,000 employees at over 100 locations form
a global network with a technology portfolio
that guarantees maximum productivity and
cost-efficiency.
For more information visit:
www.thyssenkrupp-industrial-solutions.com
Contact:
thyssenkrupp Industrial Solutions
(South Africa)
Kgothatso Ntsie
Marketing & Communications
Tel: +27 11 236-1000
Fax: +27 11 236-1125
Email: kgothatso.ntsie@thyssenkrupp.com