Manufacturer and supplier of heat technology equipment Advanced Industrial Technology’s (Ai-Tec’s) manufacturing arm, Macrotec, reports that it installed a carbon gold recovery incinerator at a mine in Tanzania, last year.

“This smokeless incinerator, which encompasses Ai-Tec’s environment-friendly Macroburn technology, will play a crucial role in the recycling of mine dumps in Tanzania and for the recovery of minerals that would otherwise be lost,” says Ai-Tec business development director Arnold Retief.

Macroburn incinerators are designed for efficient performance, low fuel use and enhanced care for the environment. These incinerators eliminate potential obnoxious emissions through a sophisticated system that automatically controls the rate of combustion.
“Macrotec is one of the few manufac- turers in South Africa which conforms with stringent European Union emissions standards, as well as ISO 9001:2008 specifications,” highlights Retief.

He says Ai-Tec works according to a comprehensive quality assurance plan, as well as a programme for stringent health and safety standards in every instal- lation. A risk assessment guide is also adhered to.

“A special feature of this Macroburn incinerator includes dry ceramic filtra- tion, which is important because of its highly efficient particle removal and high heat resistance. A semifluidised bed is also critical as the carbon has to be suspended in order to be incinerated,” he asserts.

The incinerators are used in conjunc- tion with top-mounted chimneys, with accurate draught control. If the incinerator is fitted with a scrubber or dry ceramic filter, a mechani- cally induced draught system is installed. The company manufactures sensors and control dampers for these appli- cations.

The incinerators have been fitted with burners, as the efficient incineration of wastes at the mine requires the addition of heat for the drying and ignition of waste and for smoke elimination.

“The Macroburn flame intensifier is a recuperative system that improves combustion efficiency and ensures sub- stantial fuel savings – reducing con- sumption to about a quarter of fuel used with conventional incinerators,” explains Retief.

He points out that another advantage of the incinerator is that it has a hotter, cleaner flame, which produces less smoke than other systems. The smaller flame requires less combustion volume and incinerator capacity is increased by about 20%.

Moreover, Macrotec has also developed mechanical feeders that provide improved combustion, reduced fuel consumption and lower emission levels. This system also includes screw feeders and hydraulic rams, as well as atomising sprays and blowers that feed and control material flows.

“For increased levels of safety, explosion relief doors automatically swing open in the event of an explosion. High alumina monolithic refractory linings withstand temperatures that exceed 1 500 ºC and ensure durability under conditions of sudden and extreme tem- perature change,” Retief explains.

Further, he notes that the high-quality insulation around the incinerator ensures low surface temperatures and minimal fuel consumption, while dry-type smoke and fly ash elimination guarantees dry corrosion-free chimney stacks and hot dry gases that rise straight off the top of the chimney.

He adds that there are few, if any, moving or wearing parts in the Macroburn incinerator system, which means maintenance requirements are minimal and the service life of the system is significantly extended.

“Included in Ai-Tec’s service is the design and supply of turnkey installations to destroy hazardous wastes and noxious emissions associated with incinerators. A technical advisory, installation, repair and maintenance service is also offered throughout Africa and abroad,” he concludes.