Project Overview

The Client unloaded petroleum coke (coke) rail cars from the side using a standard tracked excavator. This effort was completed by placing the excavator on a ramp. They had experienced several rail car damage reports from this style of excavating. Justification for change in their unloading system was further exacerbated as the ramp had become unstable and needed significant repairs to be able to continue the current unloading operations.
The executed option included using a straddle carrier to span the rail cars and support a mobile excavator which unloads the rail cars longitudinally from above. The excavator dumps the material into a hopper which feeds into a radial stacker conveyor. The radial stacker conveyor dumps material into a storage area.

New Railcar Unloading System main New Railcar Unloading System first New Railcar Unloading System second

Design

Layout drawings were created to optimize the geometry of the radial stacker based on the existing topography and maximize coke storage. Material requisitions were issued to vendors for the design and supply of the straddle carrier and radial stacker. The existing ramp was removed and the area around it reworked to provide a stable foundation for the stacker conveyor and straddle carrier. Power for the conveyor was supplied from a nearby MCC.

Engineering Packages

Vendor drawings were reviewed and incorporated in the design. Civil and mechanical construction drawings were issued to the Client, who created construction work packages to execute the work. An electrical construction work package was also created. Rally provided construction and scheduling support.

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