Energy chain system delivers
TREOTHAM Automation specialises in the design and implementation of moving power supply systems, in particular energy chain systems, which can transmit air, water, and oil without interruption.
Energy chains can be described as “the umbilical cord of modern machines”.
Universal applications include carrying sensitive bus, data cables, fibre optic cables and energy sources such as electricity, gas, air and liquids, often in harsh climate zones.
According to Treotham Bulk and Mining specialist John Sharp, there were many benefits of energy chain systems over motor-powered cable reeling drums and flat cable festoon systems.
“As an alternative to motorised cable drums, Treotham offers complete energy chain systems, which are particularly advantageous over long travels,” Mr Sharp said.
For one, the systems require no slip ring, which was one of the reasons they can transmit various media without interruption.
They also do not require their own drive; they are simply attached to the moving part of the system and carried along.
“Various cables and hoses for energy, data and media can be safely managed in one system and individually replaced or supplemented if necessary,” Mr Sharp said.
“Their assembly is relatively simple and they usually do not require a guide trough to hold the cable along the travel path.”
Other end-user benefits included space saving.
“Depending on the travel/cable length, a cable drum can have a diameter of up to eight metres,” he said.
“In addition, space is required for the motor and the slip ring body.
“In the case of an energy chain system, irrespective of the travel, only one moving arm is required on the crane - which is integrated in the installation space of the crane, and the installation space for the trough of the chain on the ground.”
They are agile too, with travel speeds of up to 600m per minute without any restrictions on the loads or speeds at start up.
This compares to an average speed of 300m per minute for motor cable drums, which need to be braked and accelerated halfway for safety for centre feed.
Mr Sharp said less cable length was also required for energy chain systems as opposed to the motorised cable drums.
“In middle feed, half the travel length plus 20m reserve must be calculated as the cable length for motorised cable drums,” he said.
“In energy chain systems, one also calculates with half the travel length, but with only two metres in addition, which are needed for the radius of the chain.
“At higher travel speeds (over 60m/min), however, end feed is recommended for motor cable drums.
“This increases the cable length to the total travel length plus 20 metres reserve.”
Recent projects led by Treotham included the retrofit of an iron ore ship loader and the replacement of a conductor bar with an energy chain.
The project was a resounding success, whereby the company was also able to install high-voltage and fibre optic cables and Ethernet, as well as water onto the moving machine, for dust suppression, data acquisition and cameras.
Moving forward, Treotham looks forward to continued delivery of its energy chain systems to mining operations nation-wide, including power supply to conveyor trippers and major bulk expansions.
More information on Treotham and its services can be found at www.treotham.com. au or by emailing info@treotham.com.au.