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Battery-powered screen joins decarbonisation challenge

 

Powerscreen, a manufacturer and provider of mobile crushing and screening equipment, has responded to the decarbonisation challenge by unveiling the concept Eco-Warrior battery-powered mobile screen.

The unit is part of Powerscreen’s efforts to provide solutions in its mobile crushing and screening equipment that minimise environmental impact and promote sustainability. These include increased fuel efficiency and an electrification strategy for the future.

“Some may view this topic as a recent trend, but for Powerscreen, decarbonisation is multi-faceted and has always been at our core,” Powerscreen’s product and applications manager Neil Robinson said.

“The Powerscreen mobile concept has always contributed towards decreasing the carbon footprint per tonne of material produced [Figure 1]. This is done by reducing unnecessary material handling of hauling and loading material to static plants in aggregate production or in the ability to recycle and reuse material at point of use, for example in roadbuilding projects where sub-base material is produced in-situ. Using stockpiling conveyors as part of a track mobile set-up is another perfect example of how to cut out unnecessary double handling, reducing fuel consumption and therefore carbon production.”

Powerscreen has evolved its product range to reduce environmental impact by making its crushing and screening equipment as fuel-efficient as possible, using direct drive systems that are said to be 13 to 18 per cent more fuel-efficient when compared with hydrostatic units. Improvements to the screening range have also reduced engine speeds from 2200 revolutions per minute (rpm)
to 1800 rpm.

Another tool for fuel efficiency is Powerscreen Pulse, the in-depth machine telematics system that helps customers see how and where their machines are being operated, understand fuel consumption and carry out fault-finding activities for optimised performance. 

“Powerscreen Pulse has been refined to deliver actionable information with customised reports and suggested actions for more fuel-efficient operation,” Robinson said.

Electrification is a key focus of the Powerscreen decarbonisation strategy. The Powerscreen Hybrid range has been dramatically enhanced to include more fully electric crushers and screens as well as models powered by innovative diesel/electric combinations. These options enable customers to choose which fuel to use, depending on cost, location and availability, and benefit customers who operate in areas where electricity is more cost-effective, where diesel engine noise is unwanted or on sites where electricity is the preferred energy source.

 “Customers using Powerscreen Hybrid units powered off the grid have been able to reduce on-site carbon emissions by 57 per cent per tonne of material produced,” Robinson said. 

Working closely with automotive technology and using top of the range, hyper-efficient drives and intelligent control systems, the concept Eco-Warrior battery-powered screen has been designed to deliver on the powerful screening action of other Powerscreen machines while being a self-charging, or plug-in, model that features a simple, quiet engine with no after-treatment requirements.

The required engine size has been halved compared with the diesel hydraulic unit and the battery pack can mean emission-free running or a power boost.

“To the best of our knowledge this is the first battery-powered screener in the world and has been clocking up testing hours since it was built in 2019,” Robinson said. “It still delivers on the powerful screening action that Powerscreen machines are famous for and we are now exploring taking it from concept to mainstream.”

Robinson said the Eco-Warrior is just the beginning of Powerscreen’s decarbonisation drive. “Powerscreen has many solutions available today to dramatically reduce our carbon footprint.  We’re taking it to the next level, continuing to be the pioneers in adopting technology that supports the industry in meeting the requirements of government decarbonisation laws—this is the future.”

In Australia, Lincom Group is the national Powerscreen distributor. Visit lincom.com.au

Source: Powerscreen 

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