Case Study
Oaks Unlimited
Challenge
Water had been leaking into the Oaks Unlimited biomass silo, and material regularly bridged over the outlet. The silo’s chain-based reclaim system also made it difficult to meter material. Because the silo had reached the end of its service life, repairs were no longer viable.
The system that replaced the silo would need to fit a compact footprint, as the customer’s mill was in town. An electric pole ran directly behind the silo, which further constrained the space.
As a further complication, the silo’s roof collapsed in mid-autumn. The customer thus required a replacement system quickly to protect his feedstock from snow.
Solution
BE&E proposed a double-stacked SMART Container system with 20′ containers to store and feed material to the customer’s boiler. One 18S SMART Conveyor™ would feed the silo from a receiving bin while another would distribute material. A centering bin would meter the outfeed material from the SMART Container into an existing screw conveyor. Also included were a hydraulic power unit, supports, a catwalk, VFD, programming, and controls cabinet.
Result
BE&E met the customer’s timetable and delivered the SMART Container and drag conveyors within five weeks of receiving the customer’s signed approval on the drawings. The centering bin initially proved problematic due to an error in the design, but once BE&E’s technicians installed a fix, the system ran without issue.
Months after installation, the owner reported that, “Mechanically, the conveyor loads great.” He also said the SMART Container’s reclaim system worked well.
Between the quick turnaround, the technical support, and the system’s ongoing reliability, BE&E had earned his respect. “I think it’s is a good company and has good products,” he said, and he planned on doing business with BE&E again.
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