Conversion work on real giants

5. November 2024

AUMUND GROUP, SCHADE Lagertechnik

SCHADE engineers in Taiwan

Companies and stockyards in Taiwan are tormented by the region’s earthquakes, which can cause irreparable damage. In 2024 alone, 424 quakes were registered with strengths of up to 7.4 on the Richter scale. This situation of constant danger demands a lot, not only of the people, but also of technology.

Construction and re-building are therefore daily business in Taiwan. Taiwanese construction companies are not only active in their own country, but all over the world. Some of the largest structures in the world originate from the hand of a Taiwanese cement customer which operates its bulk materials stock using a Circular Storage with a rail diameter of 120 m, built in 2000. The Circular Storage carries out the storage and homogenisation of the raw material, limestone, so that it can be processed in the rotary kiln.

The combination of three factors; the bridge structure of another manufacturer’s machine not being designed for the correct load, an unplanned change of material, and an earthquake in the area, led to bending and cracks in the bridge of the Circular Storage, and it had to be replaced within a short space of time. Ahead of the actual conversion a material analysis was carried out by the SCHADE team. A conversion must be implemented according to its dimensions in various increments, under consideration of the maximum permissible loads on the foundations of the existing building structure. A stage of the conversion also concerns the core element of the Circular Storage, the central column, which is the interface of the equipment where all machinery components come together. This needs to be well looked after and protected from damage caused by earthquakes and operational wear and tear.

The SCHADE Service team currently has two more orders in Taiwan. One of them is for a Circular Storage for salt with a capacity of 1,000 tph and a diameter of 120 m. After around 40 years in operation the chassis rails under the machine need to be changed.

For this to be carried out, the 150 tonne machine first has to be ejected, and the foundations and rails dismantled. A new improved design showcases the new ring rail, which will considerably extend the life span of the machine. The winch is showing signs of wear and will also be replaced, including the rope and the electrics. The operational safety aspect of this conversion measure is also of great significance.