A part of BMT in Energy and Environment

Solving Chute Problems – Project Review

www.bmtwbm.com.au

Transfer chute problems include blockages, spillage, belt and liner wear, and belt off tracking and are often a

consequence of poor design resulting in lost production. Chute design is a complex problem which can be best

optimized by combining practical empirical design rules, site experience and advanced analysis.

BMT WBM provides a complete engineering, design, and analysis service to improve transfer chutes and

maximise transfer point performance. Our design and engineering experience spans 40 years on mining

machinery including large conveyors, bucket wheel excavators, stackers, reclaimers, ship loaders and moving

hoppers. Recent projects include:

Abbot Point T0 Detailed Design

BMT WBM supervised the detailed design for

Abbot Point T0 coal handling plant. The chute

design was undertaken using practical design

rules, then refined and verified by BMT WBM

using Discrete Element Modelling (DEM)

methods.

Clermont Coal Mine

The overburden handling system at Clermont, as

initially installed, experienced major materials

handling issues from early operation, primarily

blocking of transfer chutes on the tripper and

stacker.

BMT WBM redesigned the transfer chutes to

improve the material flow. The chutes needed to

handle a variety of overburden products from hard

basalt, to sticky clay materials.

BMT WBM’s work has been a major success for

Clermont with a significant reduction in downtime

due to chute blockages, and increased output.

Clermont stacker and transfer chutesAbbot Point transfer chute DEM

www.bmtwbm.com.au

Citic Pacific Mining – Sino Iron Ore

The primary sized magnetite material handling

system transfer points have various problems

including belt off tracking, belt and liner wear, and

periodic blockages.

BMT WBM undertook a site visit and inspection of

the plant, and provided initial recommendations.

We undertook the design and drafting of some

interim modifications to improve the transfer point

immediately. The interim solution dramatically

improved the performance of the chute.

Subsequently BMT WBM has undertaken the

detailed engineering and drafting for a complete

new transfer chute, including relocation of the

head pulley to improve the material flow

trajectories. A structural analysis of the transfer

station was also undertaken.

Chute performance was verified using DEM

analysis, and structural integrity using FEA.

Chute maintenance was considered with access

walkways provided, multiple flange joints for ease

of assembly, and inspection hatches.

3D model of new transfer chute design

DEM analysis of material flowFEA analysis of chute structure