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January 2011 Sensors & Transducers

Belt weighers and moisture detection – two products, one solution.

Rand Technical Services (RTS), showcased two products at Electra Mining last year that work hand in hand to enhance the efficacy of continuous belt weighing: Procon’s Inflo resometric belt weigher and ultraMOIST, an Australian moisture detection system.

MD Ian Fraser describes the long-term benefits: “The Procon Inflo belt weighers use resometric technology in place of load cells. This technology offers longer-term accuracy, and stays in calibration for long periods to reduce maintenance requirements.

“At the heart of the belt weigher is the digital resometric force transducer, or resonator, which, according to Fraser, provides high measurement performance levels over a long working life. With no moving parts, the fine wire of the resonator is tuned to the standard, zero-weight level of the applied force from the weigh carriage itself. The resonant frequency changes in proportion to applied load passing over the carriage rollers. This change in frequency is processed by the electronics and combined with the belt travel speed (as measured by a tachometer) to provide an accurate weight reading per unit time.”

The ultraMOIST moisture detection technology was created by Australian engineering company Ultra-Dynamics. According to Trevor Powell, MD, the product is based on the latest moisture detection technology and has enjoyed success in Europe and Australia, particularly in mining processes.

“ultraMOIST uses microwave technology to determine moisture levels of the product on the belt,” Powell explains. “The technology works with a transmitter placed below, and a receiver placed above a conveyor.

“The result is an accurate moisture level reading of material on the conveyor, which is crucial in any industry where moisture levels (in a product) need to be either reduced or increased, or factored in for billing purposes.”

Powell cites the example of coal being supplied to a power generation plant. “After accurately weighing the coal, the moisture content then needs to be determined to ensure accurate billing, and, ultimately, sound ROI for the client.”

Fraser concludes: “The Procon belt weigher offers highly accurate product measurement for longer periods, and the same can be said for ultraMOIST – it is a product synergy RTS is proud to introduce to local industry.”

For more information contact Richard Cooper, Rand Technical Services, +27 (0)12 993 9620, [email protected], www.rtsafrica.co.za

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