Bulk Product Unloading – Port of Tauranga

Port Hoppers - Bulk Handling Operation, Tauranga

Issue: Bulk Product Discharge creating dust beyond the boundary

Solutions: Bulk Hopper Misting, hatch misting, and Bark Shed Doorway System

Product Used: Combination of 6x Fixed Line systems at strategic dust generation points

Project Overview:

The Tauranga Port is the largest Port in New Zealand, strategically situated geographically. A large portion of the bulk shipments are fertiliser and Palm Kernal shipments to support the Agricultural Industry, particularly dairying. However, fine dust from unloading has been under immense scrutiny, with the Regional Council establishing an "Air Shed" over the industrial area at the Mount due to deteriorating air quality in the area. biOx were approached to assist the Port and Stevedores with achieving a reduction in fugitive dust to allow these essential operations to continue while achieving environmental targets.

biOx Solution:

The Port undertook to retrofit 5x of their discharge hoppers with high pressure fogging units. The systems utilise water, but do not adversely affect the fertiliser product, which in itself is very sensitive to water. Rather the fine droplets adhere to the dust billowing out of the hopper, adhere to the dust and weigh the dust down. 

Key Elements of the Setup:

- Dedicated misting unit to each hopper

- Provision to fog at top hopper level, as well as lower truck loading area.

- Separate system installed at Bulk Shed where bark is deposited from log operations.

Results:

The Stevedores now utilise these suppression systems regularly on Port; initially skeptical about effectiveness. The implementation of these systems are essential for the Port to meet Environmental Operating Specifications, and without these shipments cannon be unloaded.

Ongoing Support:

Following implementation, biOx are working with industry also affected by the air shed to knock out dust, before environmental restrictions have a fundamental change to businesses who may no longer be permitted to operate.