Challenge
A Midwest zinc company had utilized a General Kinematics VM-120 VIBRA-MILL® with great success for a number of years as an off-line process for reclaiming zinc dross. But as it needed to increase production, they looked to General Kinematics to provide a solution that could be utilized within the process.
Approach
General Kinematics reviewed the success of the current application (zinc will agglomerate as it is cooled, a process enhanced by the tumbling action of the VIBRA-MILL® Sand Reclamation), and looked to replicate this with a single conveyor.
Solution
General Kinematics proposed, sold, and delivered a single conveyor which successfully cooled and separated the zinc from the dross.
Utilizing a high-temperature loading chamber, the material is received into the conveyor. The material is then allowed to cool on this section while the conveyor is off. Once the material has cooled, the conveyor is run and material passes out of the load chamber at a controlled rate by means of a strike-off gate.
Once onto the conveyor section, the material passes over a screening section which allows the fine dross to pass through, and the zinc to end discharge to be reclaimed through the melting process once again.
Results
The system’s efficiency has been in operation for 5 years and has provided reliable and efficient reclamation of zinc through a single step process, eliminating the need for multiple touches by personnel.
The new unit is running great and the customer is extremely satisfied with the new continuous process, which is easier than batch loading a VIBRA-MILL® over and over. The customer believes they will be able to refine the process further to get even better screening and are looking to expand the use of this GK technology into their other facilities.
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General Kinematics 2013 USA
