2015. CRS Container Tippler Delivered
Chilean Copper producers, Codelco and Anglo American, the World Largest Copper Miners approached their Port Operators, Puerto Ventanas, Chile, with a view to increase export capacity, move away from using antiquated ‘kibble’ technology for transporting concentrates to more modern ‘Worlds Best Practice’ closed container systems.
The feasibility review highlighted that to compete this upgrade would require an investment of upwards of $20Mill USD in infrastructure updates. Limitations on available space amongst other things such as an established rail network made traditional containers rotator (Rotainer) systems unusable. CRS was contacted through it Chilean distributor Contekner, to review the application and look to offer a solution.
CRS, thinking out side of the square, proposed a completely new concept. CRS offered a fixed base ‘ContainerTippler’ system, elevated on stilts on a specially engineered frame structure some 10 metres above an established underground conveyor network. Containers would be lifted directly from rails cars, placed in the proposed ‘ContainerTippler’ with the lids automatically unlocked and removed by a purpose built, CRS design, 20ft contsiner spreader prior to rotation.
After a lengthy review on competitive proposals the CRS concept was adopted and our engineering team set out to engineer a complete, ‘turn key’ container handling system for this particular project,
The complete tippler system successfully awarded to CRS. The system was then fully pre-fabricated in CRS’s Sydney factory under the watch-full eyes of a Lloyd’s Registered Representative. It was fully load tested for a period of time, disassembled, containerised and sent to Chile, South America for installation in the building by local contractor’s.
Due to Chilean seismic conditions, the system had to be ‘Earthquake’ approved therefore, additional civil works were required to comply with local construction laws for structural footing reinforcement, this was also part of the CRS scope of supply. Analysis and engineering for this was undertake in Australia with review from local Chilean officials and civil engineers.
This project went together perfectly and without issues, since installation the Rotainer tippler has completed approximatey100,000 fully loaded rotations with no major lost time occurrences or component change outs. Further testament to CRS industry experience and capabilities.
Further to the above, the system required full automation. CRS sent an Australian Engineering team to site for several weeks to complete necessary electrical upgrades.
A very successful project and a Win Win for all involved.