Simple Solutions That Work! Issue 12

Mechanical Reclamation System A typical mechanical reclamation system will include the following sequence of components: • Shakeout Deck • Attrition Mill • Elevating Device • Surge Hopper • Magnetic Separator • Agglomerate Screener • Fluid Bed Classifier (Cooling Optional) • Elevating or Pneumatic Transportation Device • Bulk Storage Silo for Mechanically Reclaimed Sand • Dust Collector Thermal Reclamation System A typical thermal reclamation system will include the following sequence of components: • Surge Hopper for Supply • Magnetic Separator (if not already included upstream) • Metered Feed Mechanism • Heating Zone • Cooling Zone • Elevating or Pneumatic Transportation Device • Bulk Storage Silo for Thermally Reclaimed Sand • Dust Collector (likely high temperature) If a Thermal Reclamation System is being included, there are differ- ent schools of thought by found- ries as to sizing and usage. Some foundries will thermally reclaim all sand. Others will only thermally reclaim a portion of their sand and will then blend it into the system in order to control their LOI read- ings. This choice will also affect the total lists of equipment com- ponents to included in a typical system, and will affect exactly where the sand stream exits the 32 mechanical reclaimer and enters the thermal reclaimer Benefits of Thermally Reclaiming ALL Sand: • All sand going into the mold is consistent • No concerns about LOI • The equipment for mixing, storage, and sand transportation are generally simpler as there is not a need to have daytanks for both mechanically and thermally reclaimed sand above the mixer • The operator simply feeds a single sand into all molds rather than having to switch from new to mechanically reclaimed at a specified point in the mold Disadvantages: • The Thermal Reclaimer will need to be larger in order to process all sand Benefits of Thermally Reclaiming only a portion of Mechanically Re- claimed Sand: • The Thermal Reclaimer will be a smaller size than if processing ALL sand • Reduced electric/LP/Natural Gas costs Disadvantages: • The operator will be left to choose the point at which the facing new sand becomes a backing mechanically reclaimed sand – This equates to variability in the blend ratio • Blend ratio variability leads to tighter controls and monitoring required on LOI • The equipment is more complex as dual daytanks and slidegates, separate transporters, separate storage silos, etc are required