BG Europa refurbish dryer drum for Tarmac quarry

Suffolk-based BG Europa (UK) Ltd (BGE) have recently completed the refurbishment of a dryer drum at Tarmac’s Skipton Rock Quarry, in North Yorkshire. BGE engineers called in to review the condition of the operator’s existing dryer drum discovered that the drum shell was still in good condition and, with some refurbishment work, would provide years of continued service. 

However, the flights, drum seals and trunnion rings were in obvious need of replacement. Ultrasound readings helped the engineers to determine specific areas of wear, and using this information the flight design was remodelled and wear bands installed to protect the existing shell, thereby maximizing life expectancy.

The decision to remove the drum from site for renovation was considered to be the safest and most efficient option, as it would also allow the trunnion rollers to be easily replaced while the drum was in the BGE workshop in Ashbourne, Derbyshire.

During refurbishment, both trunnion rings were removed and replaced with new saddle arrangements. Once the dryer flights had been removed they were replaced with a new and efficient design that included insulation flights within the combustion zone. Where drum wear had been detected, new internal wear bands were installed, while the rotary elevator was refitted to correct the issue of leakage. Other improvements included new drum end-seal arrangements and the addition of 50mm glass-fibre insulation.  

The refurbishment work was carried out over a five-day period with the drum being returned to Tarmac within the allotted time frame for reinstallation. Once the drum had been reinstalled on the chassis and the building roof replaced, new neoprene seals were fitted to help increase drying efficiency by reducing excess air entering the drum.  

According to quarry manager Martin Dobson, the refurbishment project was a total success. ‘The overall service provided by BG Europa was extremely comprehensive and they have helped us to reduce our energy costs,’ he said. ‘We would not hesitate in choosing them again for further installations.’