Greater control at coal terminal

To improve the operation of coal unloaders at a dockside terminal in Liverpool and give better overall control and scheduling, E.ON UK asked ABB Automation Solution Provider, JMS Automation & Drives of Birkenhead, to deliver an enhanced control system.

JMS upgraded two 40t ship unloaders with ABB's Crane Management System. Using software that takes account of the layout of the ships' holds and superstructure, the system guides the grabs along an optimum path to give a fast yet safe unloading sequence that avoids straining the ship's hull. Special control algorithms prevent the motor overloading when high water content is encountered at the bottom of the hold.

JMS upgraded the drives to a bus connected 260kW inverter with 14 motors and a DC multidrive for the hoist.

JMS also updated the data acquisition scheme for coal stocks with an ABB AC800 system that acquires data and presents it on screens in a control room. Specific screens show the changing levels of coal stocks as they are stacked and reclaimed, and the amount of coal being conveyed.

The rate of coal movement by weight is also displayed.