Extract from an article first published in International Mining (IM) Magazine, March 2017 covering Comminution and Crushing – our thanks to IM for approval to publish the article.
In 2013, TAKRAF was engaged by one of the principle oilsands producers to solve the winter time stalling of their incumbent Double Roll Crushers (DRC). The direct effect of the halt, as well as their restart inability, resulted in significant cumulative annual restrictions on their winter production.
In 2014, TAKRAF began retrofitting all their primary crushing plants with the New Generation TAKRAF TRC 25.34 double roll crusher.
The TAKRAF New Generation DRC increased drivetrain inertia over 200%, useable kinetic energy 185% and available motor torque 168%! This resulted in peak crushing demand dropping from nearly 600% Full Load Torque (FLT) to a level near 350% FLT. A specially designed motor with a Breakdown Torque (BDT) in excess of 430% FLT was then implemented to deliver the full 350% FLT through a larger capacity fluid coupling.
These changes represented a paradigm shift in the basic crushing principles utilized in an oilsands primary crusher. Previously, the technology primarily relied on expending its limited kinetic energy during every major crushing event; however, if the kinetic energy was completely expelled before the feed material was processed, the crusher would stall. Subsequent restart attempts were insufficient and often consumed the available heat capacity of the fluid coupling, further suspending the production recovery. The TAKRAF New Generation DRC possesses the ability to process the most difficult materials without primarily relying on consuming any kinetic energy; the inertial storage buffer translates directly to production guarantee!
The successful New Generation philosophy was then applied to the entire Primary Crushing Plant, two trains of which were put into production in 2016. The robust TAKRAF drive units and an abundance of surplus kinetic energy are already proven to process sustained tonnage rates exceeding 14,000mtph, whilst maintaining an impressive 400mm x 400mm maximum product size - even when the feed approaches a 10:1 crushing ratio! At the same time, the TRC 25.37 is able to develop an impressive 11% increase in the surface area of the product, significantly assisting the oil recovery process.
In the redesign of the oilsands Primary Crushing Plant, none of the components were ignored in the New Generation plant. Not just functionality and reliability being key areas of focus, but of equal importance were considerations for maintainability and reduction of downtime, during both planned and unplanned maintenance outages.
The net result is the most effortlessly maintainable, cleanest and powerful primary crushing plant, which now fulfills both the immediate and future needs for mining oilsands.
The TRC 25.37 is designed for a sustained 17,000mtph throughput capacity in all oilsands materials and the most frigid ambient conditions. The two units which commenced production in 2016 are detuned to the contracted 14,000mtph capacity but can be fully realized with a simple change to the ratio of the apron feeder.
For those mines not immediately requiring the implementation of a complete new crushing plant, the upgrade to the powerful New Generation TAKRAF TRC 25.34 DRC has proven to be an economically effective means to increase production through elimination of stalls and reduced maintenance downtime; as well as increased recovery through achieving a high crushing ratio, even in the most extreme winter conditions.
This type of primary crusher upgrade typically requires a shutdown period of 22 to 30 days. Economically, the payback period is less than two winter seasons.
TAKRAF is also pleased to advise the Copper ore, Iron ore and Bauxite industries, together with mines with difficult overburden; that they are currently developing a New Generation range of Extreme Class sizers for their hard ore types - those which have traditionally been beyond the capability of the current sizer technology industry.
TAKRAF primary crusher components are almost exclusively all manufactured under strict quality control at their Lauchhammer facility in Germany. The oilsands industry is locally supported by TAKRAF from its Calgary (Alberta, Canada) subsidiary location.
Technical enquiries? Please contact Warren Bailey, TAKRAF Global Aftermarket Support Manager, on: +1 403 399 9765