Innovation challenge - liner system to cover mineral heaps

A new online competition has launched for an automatic or semi-automatic folding and unfolding system for liners to cover mineral heaps safely

Global innovation platform ennomotive is challenging engineering professionals and companies to design a safe and efficient system to automate the covering process for materials stored in outdoor heaps at mineral processing plants.

Mineral processing plants generally store raw materials in heaps that are consumed in a matter of days or weeks. For the unloading of minerals and its subsequent loading for the processing in the plant, transportation belts are used. For the unloading and subsequent loading, stacking cranes with bucket wheels are used (stacker-reclaimers). They slide on rails like port cranes.

Material heaps can be covered with liners to protect the material from the rain and/or strong winds. However, using conventional liners and putting weights on top presents some risks that make it unfeasible for the ennomotive client.

The main goal of this challenge is to design an automatic or semi-automatic system to place and remove the liners. The liners must remain on the heaps in case of windy weather conditions. The challenge will accept commercial solutions or the design of a new solution. A liner, or a similar material, is needed to provide wind protection.

This online competition is open worldwide to any engineering professional, company, university, or tech centre that wants to propose a solution for this challenge.

The participants who submit the best solutions in the 1st round will share 3,000 EUR providing they submit detailed solutions in round 2. The best solution in the 2nd round that meets the evaluation criteria will receive 12,000 EUR. The winner might also enter a collaboration agreement for the development of a pilot and a subsequent complete implementation

Interested participants should sign up here and submit their solution before the 3 August 2021.