Fortis IBA Ltd upgrade screening technology at processing facility
New Liwell flip flow screener enhances processing of incinerator bottom ash at Hampshire plant
OPERATIONAL efficiency and material recovery at Fortis’ A303 incinerator bottom ash (IBA) processing facility in Andover, Hampshire, have improved significantly following the arrival of a new Liwell flip flow screen. The IBA facility currently processes 120,000 tonnes of bottom ash from energy from waste Facilities each year, transforming the ash into sustainable recycled aggregates used in construction projects.
Prior to their investment in the Liwell screening technology, a series of trials were carried out by Fortis IBA (part of the Raymond Brown Group) using a number of different screening and separation solutions from the UK and Europe. After a lengthy evaluation process, Tema (Machinery) Ltd were selected to carry out further detailed trials at the A303 IBA processing facility using a mobile version of the Liwell screener.
The trials proved highly successful in meeting the expectations and requirements of Fortis IBA and, subsequently, a Liwell double-deck flip flow screening machine (2.0m x 6.0m) was installed at the Barton Stacey site, close to the A303 Hampshire IBA plant.
Simon Parry-Jones, sales engineer for Tema (Machinery), commented: ‘Initially, the remit was to clean the feed material entering the plant, but more specifically the feed to the –5mm eddy current separators which required frequent cleaning. This impacted on process continuity and costs.
‘However, it became apparent to Fortis IBA that cleaning the feed on its own would not be justification for the investment and sought an improvement on the metals recovery at Barton Stacey. We looked at the possibility of separations much smaller than was thought possible with the material and the Liwell screen proved it could make those reductions in separation size and the recovery of more metals.’
Terry Moore, general operations manager for Fortis IBA, added: ‘We are continually looking at new ways of developing our processes to improve our metallic recovery rates and overall processing efficiencies. We produce high-quality IBA aggregates and the introduction of the Liwell screen has refined our processes further.
‘Successfully separating smaller IBA fractions improves recovery rates and reduces maintenance and downtime. We are delighted with the performance of the Liwell screen and are achieving the anticipated improvements in recovery and efficiency.’
