Vale Canada Limited
Vale's Copper Cliff Nickel Refinery (CCNR) faced issues with its product conveyor gallery, where significant dust buildup occurred due to inadequate ventilation.
The altered ventilation setup led to non-compliance with environmental regulations requiring dust filtration through a baghouse before atmospheric release. BESTECH analyzed the situation and proposed installing a new 3000 CFM Makeup Air (MUA) unit on the refinery’s roof to introduce clean, filtered air into the conveyor gallery.
SCOPE
The plan included replacing the existing 18-inch duct with a new 20-inch duct, adding six tie-in points along the conveyor with six-inch ducts connected to perforated diffusers for even air distribution. A new 3000 CFM baghouse was also proposed for installation within the NRC building to filter the additional airflow effectively. Enclosing the conveyor system was suggested to create a negative pressure environment, enhancing dust containment and preventing leakage into the product gallery.
OUTCOME
The new MUA unit and baghouse significantly improved air quality within the conveyor gallery, ensuring compliance with environmental standards. The rooftop MUA unit minimized the risk of drawing contaminated air into the refinery, safeguarding the purity of the nickel products. This redesign resolved the dust management issue, streamlined maintenance, and enhanced the safety and efficiency of the refinery’s operations.