WO1986006352A1

WO1986006352A1 - Stockpile shroud

Info

Publication number: WO1986006352A1
Application number: PCT/AU1986/000113
Authority: WO
Inventors: Carl Robert Daymon; Ross Clive Hutton
Original assignee: Ross Clive Hutton
Priority date: 1985-04-29
Filing date: 1986-04-24
Publication date: 1986-11-06

Abstract

Apparatus and method used for either partially or totally covering stockpiled material (100). The stockpiled material (100) may optionally be stored in a conical pit (101) and is covered by the apparatus (106) which consists of a conical framework with radial spars (111) covered with a sheet-like material. The apparatus is supported on the ground or by an embankment (104) and preferably has a discharge auger (111) which discharges material to be stockpiled through opening (110) in the top of the apparatus (106). The conical pit may also have a reclaim auger (103) for removing stockpiled material to a recovery location. Inside the conical pit (101) the reclaim auger (103) is normally protected inside a metal pipe (105). The apparatus may also extend over the crest (107) of the embankment (104) to prevent ingress of water.

Description

"STOCKPILE SHROUD"

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention is related to an improved stockpile shroud and is particularly relevant to applications in the mining or building industry, the agriculture and grain industries, the fertilizer and chemical industries and bulk materials industry.

BACKGROUND ART

With the costs involved in providing storage containers and the enormous amount of material that is dealt with in mining operations, it is common practice to stockpile materials in open compounds with no protection from the external environment. Considering the fine particulate nature of many of the mined materials, even the slightest weather perterbation can distribute material from a stockpile over an extremely wide area, polluting surrounding townships and causing tremendous wastage.

In some situations the stockpile material is often hazardous in nature and can be of such chemical ^βθfflgθsitiθfl t a diepβfθal iflto the surrounding area or ground can cause much more serious problems.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to mitigate the abovementioned problems or provide an alternative to the present situation.

According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of at least partially covering stockpiled material to suppress loss of material within the covered region and to provide protection from the outside environment, comprising the steps of assembling framework substantially the same in shape as the top of the stockpile, covering the framework with sheet material capable of suppressing loss of the material within the covered region, and placing the assembled framework over the stockpile so that the stockpile is at least partially covered.

Preferably the sheet material is a gauze type of material or a flexible plastics material.

The method may incorporate the step of assembling _framework into a conical shape by connecting a plurality of annular members of progressively increasing size to ribs extending downwardly from the annular member of smallest diameter.

The method may also include a step of connecting a shroud between the uppermost part of the framework and a feed mechanism to the stockpile. According to further aspect of the present invention there is provided -an apparatus for at least partially covering stockpiled material to suppress loss of material from within the covered region and to provide protection from the outside environment, comprising: a framework substantially the same in shape as the top portion of the stockpile and a cover of sheet material supported by the framework to suppress loss of stockpiled material from within the covered region when placed over the stockpiled material. Preferably, the apparatus extends over the whole of the stockpiled material and rests on the ground.

In one embodiment the cover is located on the inside of the framework and may be a fully enclosed membrane with one opening and a floor and provides a substantially sealed enclosure.

Openings are preferably placed around the perimeter of the membrane to allow air movement through the apparatus.

It is preferred that the framework comprises spaced annular members of different diameters connected to ribs extending from the annular member of smallest diameter to the annular member if largest diameter to form a conical shape, the annular member of smallest diameter being uncovered to allow passage of material to be stockpiled therethrough.

Also it is envisaged that the apparatus may incorporate a support arrangement positioned over the top of the framework and lifting means supoprted by the support arrangement capable of lifting the cover on the inside of the framework.

A system for storage of stockpiled material is also envisaged which comprises a reservoir with an embankment on which an apparatus according to the present invention is placed.

Preferably, the reservoir comprises a depression in the ground and the apparatus is adapted to rest on the embankment and prevent ingress of water into the reservoir.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a front elevation of an apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention: Figure 2 is a plan view of an apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 3 is a plan view of a top ring according to the first embodiment;

Figure 4 shows front views of spars as shown in Figure 1;

Figure 5 shows a sectional view of Figure 3 taken along the line A-A' ; Figure 6 is a front elevation of an apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention; Figure 7 is a plan view of an apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 8 is a front elevation of an apparatus according to a third embodiment of the present invention; Figure 9 is plan view of an apparatus according to a third embodiment of the present invention; and

Figure 10 is a front elevation of a system according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

The shape of a cone is defined by three rings 1. 2 By radially orientated spars 6a. 6b extending outwardly from the smallest ring 3.

The radial spars are of two different lengths, short spars 6b which are connected between the small ring 3 and

5 the intermediate ring 2 and long spars 6a which are connected between the small ring 3 and the intermediate ring 2 and long spars 6a which are connected between the small ring and the intermediate ring 2 and also between the intermediate rings 2 and the large ring 1.

10 As shown in Figure 4 cleats 10 are integrally formed on the spars 6a and 6b to enable the spars to be attached to the rings, with additional cleats at the large ring end of the long spars serving as supports for the assembled apparatus.

1.5 The small ring as shown in Figure 3 is divided into two separate rings, an inner ring 7 and an outer ring 8 which is made from pipe reinforcing. These two rings are then joined together by reinforcing stiffeners 9. Radially and inwardly directed from the inner ring 7. a

20 series of cleats 11 are formed for attachment to the spars. As shown in Figure 5 the inner ring 7 is formed from a flat bar with narrow slots 12 running perpendicular to and between consecutive cleats 11 and are located close to the bottom of the flat bar. 5 The apparatus is assembled in one embodiment by bolting together the cleats formed on the spars and the rings, thus enabling the apparatus to be assembled and disassembled as desired. If a stronger more permanent apparatus is desired then the cleats can be welded 0 together.

In assembled form the apparatus can be covered with a shroud 13 and fixed by attaching flaps of the shroud 13 through the slotted holes 12 in the small ring 3 and tying the flaps together. 5 In operation the apparatus can be preconstructed and then placed over the top of the stockpile so that the base of the apparatus sits around and below the top of the "dead zone" of the stockpile, where the "dead zone" refers to the bottom part of the stockpile which is generally solid in structure. The apparatus is then secured by pinning through the lower ends of the spars into the dead zone. It should be noted that in its installed position, the apparatus is free standing and does not require support from above. Also as in Figure 1 the small ring 3 can be attached to the end of the conveyor 5 by a connecting means 4. although it will be appreciated that this is only an optional feature and generally the apparatus will be unattached to the end of a conveyor.

The covering in the form of a shroud around the frame can be in one or more sections, be of any material type and can be fastened in any suitable way to the frame. In a second embodiment the shape of a cone is defined by four rings 21. 22. 23 and 24 which are arranged with the smallest ring at the top and rings of increasing diameter evenly spaced beneath the smallest ring and connected together by radially orientated spars 25 extending outwardly from the smallest ring. Four radial spars of equal length are spaced evenly between the top and the bottom ring and connect all the rings together in a manner similar to that described in the first embodiment. Once assembled a shroud 26 is placed on the inside of the apparatus forming a fully enclosed membrane with a floor to provide an airtight, watertight bladder. The shroud 26 is connected to the framework in a similar manner to that used in the first embodiment and has an opening at the top to allow passage of material into the confines of the fully enclosed membrane. It should be noted that although four rings and four spars are used in the second embodiment any number of rings and spars may be employed in practice.

In Figure β a lifting apparatus is shown integrally formed with the top ring in an arrangement that allows a bladder to be raised or lowered.

The lifting apparatus comprises a ring 27 smaller in diameter than the top ring 28 of the framework structure and is suspended above the top ring 28 by three evenly spaced radial spars 29. According to one form of the apparatus a vertical beam 30 is placed across the top ring 28 of the lifting apparatus and a pulley 31 is connected either by welding or bolting directly beneath this horizontal beam. Over the pulley a cable 32 is placed, one end of which is connected via a three wire system to the top of the shroud 26, while at the other end a driving means is connected to enable raising or lowering of the bladder connected at the other end. Because of the particular construction of the apparatus it is still possible to fill the shroud 26 without substantial loss of stockpile fill. In operation the driving means is operated and the shroud 26 is lifted to enable filling of the stockpile from above via a conveyor belt for instance. The driving means is selected depending upon the size and weight of the shroud to be lifted. After stockpiled material has been placed in the shroud the tension on the driving apparatus can be taken off and the shroud will fall around the stockpiled material.

The bottom ring 24 of the apparatus in this case can be placed on any number of materials including bare earth or concrete. When the shroud 26 has been filled the top opening can be closed by flaps integrally formed with the shroud 26 and of the same material. When the time comes for removal of material from the stockpile a flap in the side of the bladder can be opened and material taken as desired.

In a fourth embodiment of the present invention a system is shown in Figure 10 which instead of using level ground for the storage of the stockpiled material 100 utilises a below ground reservoir with above ground embankments. The stockpiled material 100 contained therein being covered by a stockpile shroud in the form of any one of the previous embodiments.

The depression 101 which is formed in the ground can be lined or unlined depending upon the quality of the ground from which is was constructed or the type of material which is to be stored therein. In Figure 10 a liner 102 is employed which is made of a plastic material.

The depression formed is conical in shape and has a reclaiming auger 103 extending from above a loading vehicle or platform along a surface of the wall of the depression down to the depressions lowest point.

The depression is formed of a conical shape as this enables the stockpiled material 100 to move toward the reclaim auger located at the lowest part. Of course it is not necessary that the depression be conical in shape as long as the lowest point exists where the reclaim auger can be located.

The embankment of the depression is in the form of a bund wall 104, the inside batter angle θ of which substantially follows that of the conically shaped depression thus effectively extending the conical shape above the natural ground level.

The stockpile shroud 106 is self supporting and sits on the top of the bund wall and extends down the outside of the bund substantially in line with the outside batter angle φ of the bund 104 and below the crest line 107 of the bund 4.

The liner is of sufficient size to extend over the crest line 107 and down the outside of the bund 104 and is attached to the bottom ring 108 of the stockpile shroud. In the present embodiment the cone shape defined by the surface of the stockpile shroud closely approaches that of the actual stockpile. Inside the reservoir the auger is placed inside a protective steel pipe 105. Along the outer surface of the stockpile shroud and extending from the apex of the shroud from an unloading platform, a discharge auger 109 is positioned to convey stockpile material to the hole 110 at the apex of the shroud into the reservoir below the auger is attached to one of the outside spars 111 by metal fasteners.

The system described in the fourth embodiment can be varied according to its particular circumstances of use. The conical shape of the depression is not a restrictive feature as the depression can be of any shape as long as the material contained therein can be removed when required.

It follows therefore that the auger described may take various forms and indeed may be replaced by any alternative method for removing the stockpiled material from within the storage reservoir.

Likewise it follows that the discharge auger instead of being attached to the frame may be an integral part of the frame of the shroud or could be totally independent of the frame of the shroud altogther.

The particular advantages achieved by using an invention according to the first embodiment reside in the ability to enclose existing stockpiles, the ease with which the apparatus can be prefabricated and easily dismantled, and the ability to remove the cover for access into stockpiles. In addition loss of material from within the confines of the structure is suppressed and the structure also provides protection from environmental factors.

For applications where it is necessary to completely enclose the stockpiled material such as grain storage. sulphur, soda ash. etc.. using an invention according to the second embodiment provides very mobile and easy and quick to erect apparatus which is lightweight compared with other stockpiles, for example silos and overall is much more cost efficient.

Similar advantages are obtained by using an invention according to the fourth embodiment. In addition larger quantities of stockpiled material may be contained within the system with a resultant more structurally sound stockpile.

Claims

1. A method of at least partially covering stockpiled material to suppress loss of material within the covered region and to provide protection from the outside environment. comprising the steps of assembling framework substantially the same in shape as the top of the stockpile, covering the framework with sheet material capable of suppressing loss of the material from within the covered region, and placing the assembled framework over the stockpile so that the stockpile is at least partially covered.

2. A method according to claim 1. including the steps of placing the stockpiled material in a reservoir encircled by an embankment and placing the framework on the embankment.

3. A method according to claim 1 or claim 2. wherein the sheet material is a shroud of flexible sheet plastics material.

4. A method according to any previous claim, wherein the step of assembling framework comprises forming a conical shape by connecting a plurality of annular members of progressively increasing size to ribs extending downwardly from the annular member of smallest diameter.

5. A method as claimed in claim 4. wherein the uppermost annular member of smallest diameter is left uncovered to allow passage of material to be stockpiled therethrough.

6. A method according to any one of the preceding claims including the step of providing a shroud connection between the uppermost part of the framework and a feed mechanism to the stockpile.

7. An apparatus for at least partially covering stockpiled material to suppress loss of material from within the covered region and to provide protection from the outside environment, comprising: a framework substantially the same in shape as the top portion of the stockpile and a cover of sheet material supported by the framework to suppress loss of stockpiled material from within the covered region when placed over the stockpiled material.

8. An apparatus as claimed in claim 7 wherein the framework comprises spaced annular members of different diameters connected to ribs extending from the annular member of smallest diameter to the annular member of largest diameter to form a conical shape, the annular member of smallest diameter being uncovered to allow passage of material to be stockpiled therethrough.

9. An apparatus according to claim 7 or claim 8 which extends over the whole of the stockpile and rests on the ground.

10. An apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 7 to 9. wherein the cover is located within the framework.

11. An apparatus according to claim 10. in which the cover is a fully enclosed membrane with an opening and a floor and provides a substantially sealed enclosure.

12. An apparatus according to claim 11. wherein openings are placed around the perimeter of the membrane to allow air movement through the apparatus.

13. An apparatus according to claim 12. wherein the openings are provided with flaps which seal off the stockpiled material within the apparatus.

14. An apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 10 to

13 incorporating a support arrangement positioned over the top of the framework and lifting means supported by the support arrangement capable of lifting the cover on the inside of the framework.

15. An apparatus according to claim 14. wherein the lifting means comprises a pulley suspended beneath the support arrangement and a cable placed over the pulley and connected at one end to the cover.

16. A system for storage of stockpiled material comprising an apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 7 to

14 arrayed over a reservoir incorporating an embankment adapted to hold stockpiled material within the reservoir.

17. A system according to claim 16. in which the reservoir comprises a depression in the ground and the apparatus is adapted to rest on the embankment and prevent ingress of water into the reservoir.

18. A system according to claim 16 to 17, wherein a discharge mechanism is provided in the form of an auger to discharge material to be stockpiled into the reservoir.

19. A system according to any one of claims 16 to 18, wherein a reclaim mechanism in the form of an auger is provided to enable extraction of stockpiled material from within the reservoir.

20. A system according to claim 19, in which the depression is conical in shape and the reclaim auger extends from a loading area outside the reservoir to the lowest point of the reservoir.

21. A system according to any one of claims 16 to 20 in which the cover apparatus is self-supporting on the embankment and the embankment extends around the periphery of the reservoir.

22. A system according to claim 18, wherein the discharge mechanism extends from a discharge platform to the top of the covering apparatus and is attached to the framework of the supporting apparatus.