July 10, 2000
ELLICOTT® INTERNATIONAL DELIVERS AUTOMATED MINING DREDGES FOR COAL MINING AND OTHER DREDGING PROJECTS
Ellicott® International has recently delivered new dredges with innovative technical features for a variety of projects.
CARBONTRONICS FUELS MANAGEMENT, LLC
Carbontronics LLC negotiated long-term contracts to reprocess coal fines from Peabody Coal's slurry ponds in Lynnville, Indiana and Gibralter, Kentucy. Carbontronics needed to acquire reliable dredges for round-the-clock operation, and with specialized automation to ensure a steady predictable flow of solids for the processing part of the operation. Carbontronics is reprocessing the coal fines by chemically modifying the coal to produce pellets.
Carbontronics chose Ellicott® to supply two swinging ladder 12-inch (305 mm) dredges.
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Carbontronics swinging ladder coal mining dredge |
The Carbontronics dredges utilize Ellicott®'s newly developed slurry density optimization system. The synthetic fuel manufacturing process requires a consistent and precise mixture of coal fines and water. Typically, dredges produce varying slurry densities, depending on the hardness of material and position of the dredging ladder. Ellicott®'s dredges achieve consistent slurry production by using an Allen Bradley SLC 5/03 Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) to monitor all dredging parameters, and Ellicott®'s newly developed Suction Side Relief (SSR) system. The result is a uniform and programmable slurry density. In addition, Ellicott® incorporated the Allen-Bradley PanelView 1000 color touch screen in the operator's cab. This VGA screen displays PLC monitored variables and allows for the operator to easily enter new slurry variables. Ellicott® believes that slurry optimization and the SSR will have applications in other dredge mining projects, such as sand and gravel.
The equipment's performance has exceeded Carbontronics' expectations.
Carbontronics Dredge Technical Features:
The "computer" on board the Carbontronics dredges is an Allen-Bradley Model SLC 5/03 Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) which has the following features: floating-point math, online programming and run-time editing, flash memory upgrades, built-in key-switch, and a built-in real-time clock and calendar. The SLC 5/03 monitors all dredge functions: dredge pump vacuum and discharge, flow, slurry density, ladder position, ladder swing rate, digging depth, and cutter hydraulic pressure and speed. All dredge controls also go through the PLC.
The computer's function is to work in conjunction with the readings that are sent back to it from the flow and density meters. The operator knows the desired density required by the processing plant. He then inputs the number into the computer, and in an automatic mode the computer has the dredge maintain this density by changing swing speed and/or the vacuum compensator. The computer also alarms the operator, through the use of transducers, of such items as low service water pressure, high hydraulic pressures, dredge pump vacuum and discharge pressures.
Screen:
The VGA screen allows the operator to control the functions of the PLC by merely touching the flat panel surface. Real-time dredge information is also displayed for the operator to view.
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Carbontronics computer screen display |
Carbontronics' unionized operators have endorsed the advantages of this system.
Ellicott® has received a variety of other interesting orders: a sand and gravel dredge for real estate development and land reclamation in the Philippines, and sand and gravel for France, and a dredge for flood restoration in Mexico. All have been shipped this spring. A construction company in Nigeria has ordered two Series 670 "DRAGON"™ cutter dredges (one delivered already) for canal maintenance.
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Series 670 Dragon® Dredge |
Mud Cat™ Deliveries:
Ellicott®'s Mud Cat Division has had enormous success with its new MC-2000 model auger dredge (patent pending).
IT Corp., one of America's largest environmental remediation companies (NYSE:ITX), is using an MC-2000 for maintenance dredging of the West Palm Beach (Florida) canal. The canal extends from the eastern shore of Lake Okeechobee, and its water eventually is pumped into the Everglades, forming part of the extensive Everglades Restoration Project. IT is under contract to the South Florida Water Management District, which is so pleased with IT's progress and the use of the MC-2000 vs. mechanical methods that additional projects are pending for other canals with the MC-2000..
Sevenson (NASDAQ:SEVN) is using a MC-2000 to remove PCB-contaminated paper mill sediments from an area of Lake Champlain in New York.
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MC 2000 Model Mud Cat™ Auger Dredge |
The dredge is working well with low turbidity too.
Both customers are pleased with the efficiency and output.
MC-2000's are usually available from stock for sale or lease.
For more information about other dredges and dredging projects
visit Ellicott®'s home page.
