Jointly with supervisors from Japan, KMEZ carried out first stage of commissioning work on the Anode Scrap Washing Machine
As part of technical modernization of the Tankhouse, at Kyshtym Copper Electrolytic Plant will be installed three machines manufactured by MESCO company. The first of them to arrive at the plant site was the Anode Scrap Washing Machine, designed for washing from sludge anode residues (electrodes) removed from electrolysis cells.
Automated equipment of the latest generation has a speed of 450 pcs. of anode scrap per hour and carries out several operations at once. With the help of a crane, the electrodes are placed on the loading beams, from there on a special trolley – onto the conveyor, then they are forwarded to the washing chamber, where they are rinsed with water under pressure, then they are placed in packs, weighed, strapped and marked. The machine itself pumps the sludge accumulated after scrap washing into a sludge collector for further processing.
The equipment arrived in the form of large dismantled units and afterwards by the contractors from SMU-2 was assembled at a specially prepared site in the Tankhouse under construction. The quality of assembly work was checked by personal visit of MESCO company representatives – Foreign Marketing Manager, Fuyuki Shiino and Mechanical Engineer, Futikami Fumio.
“On the very first day of the visit, we examined the installed equipment and were pleasantly surprised by the quality of the installation, proficiency of the specialists who carried it out,” said Shiino-san. “The assembly was carried out correctly and is not subject for critical comments. The professional skills and competence of our Kyshtym colleagues allowed us to immediately proceed to the first stage of commissioning.”
After a visual inspection, the supervisors from Japan carried out geometrical measurements and, having made sure of the assembly accuracy, began to check the hydraulic equipment. According to Futikami Fumio, in a short time, in close cooperation with the receiving party, he have to connect, flush and launch the pipelines essential for the machine operation.
“The volume of work is large, the deadlines are tight, but, thanks to the excellent preparatory stage, we will cope with the tasks” – Japanese Mechanical Engineer expressed his confidence on the very first days of his stay on the Kyshtym land.
According to Pavel Plaksin, Manager of the Tankhouse under construction, all the targets were achieved. Fuyuki Shiino is also satisfied with the results of his visit:
“In our relations with Kyshtym Copper Electrolytic Plant, we do not intend to limit ourselves only on the sale of equipment for the production modernization. We strive to establish friendly relations and provide maximum assistance in equipment installation and operation” — said MESCO manager. “Our company has more than half a century experience in this industry segment, however, we are not perfect. In the case of JSC KMEZ, the issues that arise are being resolved quickly, with full mutual understanding with Kyshtym specialists.
Another visit of Japanese colleagues to KMEZ is already planned in October for the installation of the Anode Preparation Machine and Cathode Stripping Machine. The new equipment has arrived at the plant and is undergoing customs clearance.
Technical modernisation of the Tankhouse will increase the output of copper cathodes from 140,000 to 230,000 tons per year. The first stage of the Tankhouse is planned to be commissioned in the second quarter of 2022. After the launch of the second stage, three Japanese machines will serve the entire workshop.
