Floating on air - CISDI designs an innovative solution for Baosteel

Baosteel’s centralised coal supply system for its blast furnace ironmaking plant has been rebuilt and put into operation.

CISDI designed the system and the rebuild was completed in less than three months.

The technological process, transfer towers and belt conveyor corridors have been enclosed to benefit the environment, worn and corroded facilities have been replaced and upgraded and additional dust collection points have been added in the transfer towers.

To create a more environmentally-friendly transportation method, the belt conveyor V117 has been converted to an air cushion conveyor.

The conveyor has no carrier roller unit under the middle transport sections. Instead, a thin gas film supports the belt and materials. The result is a more efficient, quieter and less air-polluting transportation procedure. Materials are fully enclosed as they are moved, and equipment maintenance and operation costs are greatly reduced.

Air cushion conveyors are widely used for transporting grain and coal and in port and electric sectors, but this was a first for Baosteel.

 A spokesperson for the ironmaking plant said: “The air cushion conveyor is working very well. It is much cleaner and requires less maintenance.”  

The air cushion conveyor at Baosteel’s centralised coal supply system