Johannesburg-based mining and bulk handling equipment company Tenova Takraf South Africa reports that it has exceeded its sales targets for its granulator crushing machine.

The company delivered the replacement order for two granulators to a client in Ogies, east of Johannesburg, well before the sched-uled deadline of June 2013, after the order was placed in October 2012.

“Teamwork with the operations team went smoothly and Tenova Takraf supervised during the replacement process. The job was completed safely, within budget and well within the agreed limits, which was critical,” says Tenova Takraf maintenance engineer.

Meanwhile, the company has secured another significant order from a large multi-national mining company in Middelburg, Mpumalanga, for two granulators, which will replace a double roll crusher at one of its mining operations.

The order for Model TKK machines follows a similar replacement for the same client, at another mining operation in Ogies, which was successfully completed to the satisfaction of the client. Since then, record production levels have been reached, says Tenova.

That order also included Model TKK machines, which are offered in 20 different sizes and have maximum capabilities of between 150 t/h and 3 900 t/h and a maximum feed size of 250 mm to 450 mm.

“Coal operators are now replacing double roll crushers with granulators,“ says Tenoka Takraf production engineer Fezile Tyhalithi, adding that “the two main reasons for this are that, generally, granulators offer superior throughput and provide better size control”.

Coal granulators have earned a reputation for quality, performance and a long and effi-cient service life, which can be ascribed to their many unique features and systematic refinements compared to conventional crushers, says the company.

Unlike ordinary hammer mills, coal granulators do not produce high volumes of fines, as the coal is not shattered by a hammer – instead, floating, rolling rings of hardened steel are used break it up. “To maintain correct product size, the screen cage is adjusted to compensate for wear,” explains Tyhalithi.

He adds that its associated cost savings have also contributed to the growing popularity of the crusher. “Very little down-time is required for servicing, as fast, easy access is provided to all internal components through the rear-quadrant opening,” he adds.

Tenova Africa sells coal granulators under licence from Pennsylvania Crusher Corporation – which also produces the Model TKK machine – offering in a range of 15 sizes, with maximum capability from 45 t/h to 2 500 t/h.

Tenova is a key supplier of equipment and systems for openpit mining and underground solutions and bulk handling, having proven hundreds of complete systems as well as individual machines to clients across the globe in all climatic conditions.