Robson expand estimation department to meet demand

Geo Robson & Co Ltd find success within all sectors of their business

With numerous enquiries for biomass systems, Geo Robson & Co. Ltd have gone from strength to strength within the power generation industry. Following several successful projects Robson have received enquiries for their biomass conveying and screening systems from around the globe, building upon their reputation as world-class innovators.

The biomass systems designed and manufactured by Robson convey the delivered biomass from truck or rail unloading conveyors to a screen house where the biomass is sized, metal checked and sieved for foreign objects that may harm the firing process.

The screened biomass is then transported to silos or warehousing ready for the firing process. Each part of the system has to meet strict European guidelines for explosive atmospheres (ATEX Standards), as the dust created by the biomass is explosive if ignited. The innovative engineers at Robson have refined the biomass conveying system to ensure each customer’s needs and requirements for feed, speed and material rates are met.

Biomass is a generic term used for grown or waste products that are derived from biological material, often wood and crop waste but a variety of materials are classed as biomass such as poultry litter, forestry waste, coppice wood chips, straw, grain husks and nut shells.

Each material has its own unique properties and characteristics. For mass movement and bulk handling Robson have developed a range of environmental conveyors and biomass bulk handling systems suited to the non-standard products. The systems are designed with reduced power consumption drive motors.

As the dust created by biomass is explosive, the process and conveying equipment used must meet the ATEX Standards. Each product is assessed to meet the strict criteria, ensuring compatible seals and non-sparking materials are used in the construction, minimum clearances are met, maximum safe working temperatures are calculated with field devices, and motor drive units specified to suit those temperatures.

Robson’s range of biomass conveyors all meet, and are certified to, the regulations giving the customer the complete safe solution for biomass conveying and processing.

One of the ATEX-certified products is Robson’s airglide belt conveyor, which is a development of the traditional belt conveyor, but instead of carrying idlers it employs a cushion of air, being the means of supporting the loaded belt between the feed and the discharge. The design uses the latest sheet metal fabrication technology with strong but lightweight construction.

Recent installations include Drax and E.ON Stevens Croft power stations, both power stations utilising the airglides for biomass processing. The Drax Power Station installation included the screen house, where the material undergoes the screening and sizing. Inline weighing and scanning ensures the biomass is free from metal and contaminants that may harm the firing process.
        
The E.ON Stevens Croft installation included a gantry airglide installed as a redundancy feed to ensure continuity and to add more capacity at peak times.

To accommodate the upturn in demand Robson have expanded their estimating department with the addition of David Osbiston and Christopher Rayner. David, originally from South Africa, has brought his engineering knowledge and experience to Robson. Chris joined Robson three years ago as drawing office assistant, showing great potential and understanding of engineering processes; he was promoted to junior estimator to enhance his skills and further his career.

Robson’s specialised designs require highly experienced mechanical engineers and project managers and the company are currently expanding the team. Robson uses their reputation to promote Sheffield’s tradition of high-quality innovative engineering around the world, with international customers regularly visiting the company meeting the engineers and seeing the quality of workmanship.