Dragon Cement Upgrades Barge for Enhanced Logistics
In response to increasing cement demand in the northeastern United States, Dragon Cement has upgraded its logistics capabilities at its Boston terminal. The company partnered with Fuller Technologies to enhance its ageing self-discharging barge, the Dragon Lady, by integrating a high-performance FK N Pump. This upgrade not only boosts capacity but also simplifies operations, allowing for more efficient cement delivery across the region.
Addressing Capacity Challenges
Dragon Cement’s Boston terminal features four silos, each with a capacity of 10,000 tons, designed to meet the growing demand for cement. However, the terminal faced significant logistical challenges due to the limitations of its 5,000-ton self-discharging barge. The existing system required multiple trips between the terminal and the Dragon Cement plant in Maine, as there was no alternative ship unloader available. Mike Greto, Vice President of Supply Chain at Dragon Cement, noted, “The barge has served us well for about 30 years, but we needed to enhance our operational efficiency.”
To tackle this bottleneck, Dragon Cement sought a solution from Fuller Technologies. The proposal to convert the self-discharging Docksider into a Docksider® ship unloader using the FK N Pump was met with enthusiasm. This upgrade promised to resolve capacity issues while maintaining the flexibility of the existing barge operations. Greto emphasized the importance of this dual functionality, stating, “We can continue to operate as we did before, but now we can also accept deliveries from much larger vessels, up to 35,000 dwt, and unload directly into the silos.”
Innovative Pump Design Enhances Efficiency
The FK Pump has been a staple in materials handling for over a century, but its traditional limitations made it unsuitable for ship unloading. The introduction of the FK N Pump in 2020 marked a significant advancement, allowing for longer-distance operations and higher pressures. Brian Warmkessel, Market Manager and Pneumatic Conveying Specialist at Fuller, explained that the FK N Pump retains the cleanliness and simplicity of pneumatic conveying while offering improved throughput and efficiency. Key design changes have increased volumetric efficiency by over 15% and enabled higher-pressure capabilities, resulting in energy savings and enhanced performance.
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With the integration of the Docksider vacuum arm and the FK N Pump, Dragon Cement can now unload bulk carriers while still utilizing the mobility of the self-discharging barge. This innovative approach not only enhances operational capacity but also simplifies maintenance. The FK Pump’s design includes a three-piece screw and hot swap bearing assemblies, significantly reducing maintenance time and costs. These improvements ensure greater uptime and reliability for the terminal, ultimately benefiting cement logistics in the region.
For more insights into this upgrade and its impact on cement logistics, read the full article in the latest issue of Dry Bulk.
