Industries
Ports and bulk terminals
Ports and bulk terminals move large volumes of dusty cargo in open, windy conditions. We support dust control at unloading points, stockyards and conveyors, along with the fabrication and controls work around them.
Process challenges
Common challenges on site
- Dust plumes at grab unloading hoppers
- Wind-blown dust from open stockyards
- Dust at conveyor transfers and ship or truck loading points
- Mud and dust carried off site by vehicles
- Corrosive coastal atmosphere affecting equipment
- Cargo moisture limits restricting how much water can be added
Dust in open, exposed operations
Grab unloading into hoppers, conveyor transfers, stacking and reclaiming, and truck loading all release dust, and at a terminal they happen in the open with strong and changing winds. Controls have to work across a wide area without over-wetting cargo that has moisture limits, and equipment must cope with salt-laden air and heavy vehicle traffic.
Typical measures combine local suppression at hoppers and transfer points with area coverage from fog cannons or sprinklers, physical barriers such as wind fences, and wheel washing to stop dust and mud leaving the site.
What we need to understand
Cargo types and their moisture tolerance, handling rates, the layout of berths, hoppers and stockyards, prevailing wind, water source and quality, and power availability. For large areas a survey and staged design review is the normal route.
Typical use cases
- Dust suppression at hoppers during bulk unloading
- Fixed and mobile fog cannons for open areas
- Stockyard sprinkler systems
- Wind fence and windbreak barriers
- Truck and wheel washing at gates
- Spray control panels linked to conveyor or hopper operation
Products, solutions and services used in this industry
Bulk material unloading dust suppression
Bulk material unloading dust suppression controls dust released at wagon tipplers, track hoppers, ground hoppers and loading points, using dry fog, mist…
Open-yard fog cannon systems
Open-yard fog cannon systems use a fan to project atomised water over stockyards, loading areas and work fronts, capturing airborne dust across…
Stockyard dust-control sprinklers
Stockyard dust-control sprinklers wet the surface of coal, ore, aggregate and other bulk stockpiles using fixed sprinkler networks, rain guns or fog…
Wind fence and windbreak barriers
Wind fences and windbreak barriers are perforated metal or fabric walls installed around stockyards and material handling areas to reduce wind speed…
Mobile dust-control cannon systems
Mobile dust-control cannons are fog or mist cannons mounted on trucks, trailers, tractors or skids so they can be moved to changing…
Fixed fog cannon installations
Fixed fog cannon installations mount fog or mist cannons permanently on pedestals, towers or structures to give repeatable dust coverage over a…
Truck and wheel washing systems
Truck and wheel washing systems clean the tyres, wheels and undercarriage of vehicles leaving construction, mining and industrial sites, so that mud…
Dust suppression at conveyor transfer points
Dust suppression at conveyor transfer points places spray, mist or dry fog nozzles at chutes, loading points and junction towers to control…
Timed and sensor-based spray controls
Timed and sensor-based spray controls switch spray, mist and dust suppression systems on and off automatically, using timers, process signals, weather and…
Dust-control site survey and engineering
Dust-control site survey and engineering assesses dust sources, site conditions and utilities, then designs a suppression scheme, with spray performance analysis by…
Custom structural steel fabrication
Structural steel fabrication produces columns, beams, trusses, trestles, conveyor galleries, platforms, sheds and pre-engineered buildings from rolled sections and plate, fabricated to…
Conveyor and material-handling automation
Automation of conveyors and material-handling equipment, using drives, PLCs, sensors and operator controls to move goods safely and consistently through production, storage,…
Related problems and solutions
Frequently asked questions
Can EKA Synergy share references from port and terminal sites?
Verified project references are shared on request, where the customer has agreed to it. Tell us about your plant and the problem you are working on, and we will tell you what relevant experience and documentation we can make available before you commit to anything.
Is a fog cannon or a fixed sprinkler better for a stockyard?
It depends on the size and shape of the yard, how often stockpiles move, wind exposure, water availability and whether the cargo can take added moisture. Fixed sprinklers suit stable stockpile footprints; cannons can cover changing areas. We would normally assess the layout and wind data before recommending either.
Bring what you know. We’ll help structure the rest.
Share a part number, a drawing or simply the problem. Unknowns are fine — an engineer will review your enquiry.