Bulk Cargo Terminals: Types, Operations, and Equipment
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Solid Bulk Terminals
As the name implies, solid bulk terminals handle bulk cargo and are typically located near port entrances.
Design
These terminals don't require a continuous berth. The current trend is to construct them with a light working platform.
Goods
Solid bulk terminals handle various goods, categorized as follows:
- Primary Bulk Cargo: Iron ore, cereals, coal, bauxite, and phosphates.
- Secondary Bulk Cargo: Metals, minerals for construction (coke, cast iron, cement, magnesium ore, scrap), and other agricultural products.
Storage
Storage methods depend on the cargo type:
- Clean Bulk: Products for human or animal consumption (cereals, flour, animal feed) require specific handling and storage facilities.
- Dirty Bulk: Materials from mining and steel production (cement, clinker, coal, iron, etc.) are stored separately.
Operations
Several factors influence terminal operations:
- Material nature
- Operation volume
- Ship type
- Weather conditions
- Environmental constraints
- Distance between quay and storage area
- Operation type
Equipment
Solid bulk terminals utilize various equipment:
- Pneumatic and hydraulic systems
- Crane shells
- Pneumatic systems
- Vertical conveyors
- Bucket elevators
- Worm screws
- Particle suspension systems
- Self-unloading vessel systems
Ships
These terminals accommodate ships with:
- 300 meters of berthing line
- Draft between 12 and 16 meters
Shore Equipment
- Unloading: Conveyor belts, hoppers, and radial loaders.
- Discharging: Grabs, pneumatic vacuums, and radial loaders.
Liquid Bulk Cargo Terminals
These installations handle liquid bulk cargo, including:
- Oil and derivatives
- Chemicals
- LNG (Liquid Natural Gas)
- LPG (Liquid Petroleum Gas)
- Vegetable oils
Operations
Liquid bulk terminals manage:
- Docking and mooring operations
- Transfer to storage tanks
Berths come in various shapes (I, L, or T) with bollards for secure mooring.
Offshore Terminals
These terminals consist of one or more buoys anchored to the seabed. They connect vessels to onshore storage facilities for various liquid cargoes.