SFS

Super Feeding System

for the Alumina Industry
Direct Pot Feeding
The Super Feeding System (SFS) is the latest pneumatic conveying system design of the Möller
Company. Our experience for more than 60 years has been the background for a continual deve-
lopment and installation of alumina transport systems.

The fully automatically operating SFS can easily be installed into green field plants as well as inte-
grated into existing systems.

Two ways of feeding the system

The long distance transport between the secondary silo and the so called intermediate bins can
be managed as well by our Möller Turbuflow® Transport System (see fig. 1) as by an Aeroslide
System (see fig. 2). The intermediate bin is the interface to our Super Feeding System.

secondary 1 vibrating screen 5 intermediate bin

oxid
2 pressure vessel system 6 SFS - pipe

3 Turbuflow conveying pipe 7 electrolyte cell

4 feeding valve 8 compressed air supply from plant net or compressor

1
M

gasduct

8 5
M
7

Fig. 1: Flow diagram – Feeding of the Super Feeding System with Möller Turbuflow Transport System

Möller Turbuflow® Transport System
The patented Möller Turbuflow® Transport
System (see fig. 1) is one of the approved dense
phase systems to convey secondary alumina.
The relatively low velocity avoids extreme tur-
bulences within the system and prevents rapid
and destructive wear of the internal surface.
Another benefit of the system is the perma-
nently possible restart of the filled pipe with-
out any blockages. Minimal maintenance and
a reduced energy consumption results in a sig-
nificant cost saving. For more detailed infor-
mation we refer to our special brochure "Möller
Turbuflow® Transport System".
The Turbuflow® Transport System fills all inter-
mediate bins which are connected to this line;
one intermediate bin for the alumina supply
feeds one or two cells. Each intermediate bin
is equipped with a feeding valve and a maxi-
mum level indicator. This level indicator con-
trols and monitors the alumina supply to each
cell.
The main advantage of our Turbuflow®
Transport System is the very flexible guiding of
the conveying pipe which facilitates upgrades
and retrofits in existing plants.
 secondary
oxid
1 vibrating screan 5 SFS - pipe

2 aeroslide system 6 electrolyte cell

3 main supply dome 7 fluidization air supply

4 intermediale bin
1
M

2 gasduct

3 max. 2%

4 4

7
M M

Fig. 2: Flow diagram – Feeding of the Super Feeding System with aeroslide system

Aeroslide System oxide. The alumina supply to the complete

The aeroslide system (see fig. 2) is also well system is ensured by constant monitoring of
known for a reliable plant operation. Extremely high and low levels at the main supply dome.
low conveying velocity, minimized wear and no
automatic parts within the conveying line redu- The main advantages of the aeroslide system is
ce maintenance to a minimum. the low velocity of 0,1 to 2 m/sec. eliminating
scaling in the system as well as enabling the
A main supply dome is located at the begin- operation without automatic parts in the con-
ning of the long row of intermediate bins which veying line.
are connected with aeroslides. Each interme-
diate bin is filled by the overflow priciple which
keeps the entire system constantly filled with

e
pip
® Fault indications
u f low
Faul
t ind T urb at each intermediate bin
icati
on – feeding valve not closed
LS – feeding valve not open
– high level do not signalize
LS – high level do not drop
V approx. 0.5 m
Intermediate bin
By these signals the alumina consumption of
each cell can be observed

SFS Storage capacity

capacity of ore bunker + capacity of inter-
mediate bin

Capacity of ore bunkers in

electrolyte cell
Fig. 3: Scheme – Operating reliability
SFS – Technology
Uniform alumina supply
The Super Feeding pipeline connects the inter-
mediate bin with the ore bunkers of the indi-
vidual pot.
The entire SFS is continuously supplied with
oxide which is always held in a fluidized state.
A frequency controlled blower supplies the flui-
dizing air and equalize the constantly varying
air volumes during the discharge and charging
of the oxide. By this means an uniform Alumina
supply is ensured.

Self-adjusting system
The supply of material to all cells is self-regu-
lating. When oxide is removed from the ore
bunker of an electrolyte cell, the bunker is refil-
led immediately from the entire system (see fig.
4) The oxide flow is automatically shut when
the material cone level has reached the fill spout
discharge opening (see fig. 5). The filling spou-
ts can be varied to accomodate any type of
electrolyte cell (number of ore bunkers, point
feeders, etc.) Fig. 4: Filling of ore bunker

More operating reliability

Always one intermediate bin is assigned to one
or two (depending on the potroom arrange-
ment) electrolyte cells. In average each inter-
mediate bin is designed for a capacity of approx.
0,5 m3 (see fig. 3). Due to the system philo-
sophy that all bins are kept nearly filled, an
additional safety of 2,5 to 5 hours shall be rea-
ched before the ore bunkers run out of mate-
rial. This is based on a capacity of 100 kg/h of
each cell.

Modular design, from 1 to …

There are no limits to the number of pots that
can be served, due to the modular design. The
intermediate bins are fed by the Turbuflow
Transport System or by an aeroslide system.
From the bins the SFS supplies the material to
the cells. The flexible method of construction
is excellent for upgrading existing aluminium
facilities (see fig. 6).

Fig. 5: Selfclosed feeding spout in the ore bunker

Reduced wear – reduced maintenance Reference plants in the alumina industry

The oxide carrying parts of the system do not We would appreciate it very much to provide
contain any mechanically actuated parts which you with an extract of our reference list. Please
are the weak points of other systems. Every contact us.
operation can be assured of a minimum cost.
Expensive operation caused by high wear which
in turn lead to high production costs will not
be feared using the Super Feeding System.
Fig. 6: Retrofit at Aluminij Mostar
 Where experience and
innovation meet

MÖLLER
Materials Handling GmbH
Haderslebener Straße 7
D-25421 Pinneberg,
Germany
Tel. +49-4101 788-0
Fax +49-4101 788 140
E-Mail: mmh@moeller-mh.com
Internet: http://www.moeller-mh.com