Case Study

Slurry Mixing System - Targovishte

Duration: (25 weeks approx)  -  Start Date: 1st July 2009

This project saw MechTek return to a client site in Bulgaria, on the back of an accomplished lead oxide transfer installation earlier in the year. The scope of the project required existing machinery and mixing tanks in Italy to be relocated and re-engineered with dormant plant in Targovishte. A new slurry mixing system would be formed and linked to the previous lead oxide project.

The design consideration of this project was to reclaim as much washed down slurry in the manufacturing process as possible and feed it into designated recirculation tanks. After every feed the line had to be washed out with demineralised water. The design of producing this new system required a 2 week visit to Montecchio, Italy to survey existing plant and to arrange dismantling and shipment of machinery to Eastern Europe.

A dormant red oxide silo in Bulgaria had to be doubled in height so that it configured with the blow lines of the new design. This involved all support steelwork being made in the UK and shipped out to recreate a much larger active grey oxide silo. Rotary valves, weigh hoppers, and screw conveyors were shipped out while local on-site civil engineering work was completed.

Project Director Andrew Williams oversaw the project. "The slurry mixing system revolved around integrating the 5 mixing tanks efficiently with the new oxide silo and the plate filling machines. To do this it required one of the tanks to be used for mixing, one for holding and the other 3 for slurry recirculation. Pneumatic actuated 3-way valves, mass density meters and control panels were used to design the production process so that it could be fully automated. We put in 12 remote IO panels connected to a main panel with profi-bus cable to reduce installation. Being able to control the system from the touch of a button in the main office meant that the tactical input of the operators on-site was minimal reducing downtime and costs to the client."