Grab maker focusing on bioenergy

Biomass has quickly become a global business, due to a worldwide interest in modern energy. Peiner SMAG Lifting Technologies GmbH is already well prepared for this greater demand in renewable energy sources. The leading manufacturer of lifting equipment offers individual solutions for the handling of biomass by providing the right grab for almost all lifting devices. All Peiner SMAG grabs have been designed with sustainable and ecological construction.

The company has recently implemented an integrated management system (IMS) that combines the individual areas of quality, environment, protection of employment, and energy into one grab unit. This new system was successfully certified by TÜV Süd, in accordance with ISO 9001, 14001, 50001 and OHAS 18001. 

The technical and economical  growth potential of renewable energy for the production of power, heat and fuels is substantial, with biomass covering over 10% of the world’s energy demand. The transhipment of biomass volume in ports and terminals, waste-to-energy plants, timber mills and co-generation plants is ever increasing. As well as agricultural goods – such as corn, sugar cane, canola and other food crops – biomass products such as timber, bark, saw mill waste, wood chips and pellets are handled. In addition, organic waste from household rubbish and residual products from the food industry also play an important role in the handling of biomass.

With its wide range of applications, Peiner grabs can handle all kinds of biomass materials, with certain grabs tailored towards the special needs and requirements of particular industries. In the timber handling industries, the use of hydraulic and electro-hydraulic timber grabs are common place, with operators benefiting from their high-load capacity, high closing force, and special shaped tongs for the handling of timber logs. These key features enable the grab to handle logs in any variety, whether round timber, bundled and even single logs safely and efficiently.

When handling bulk materials such as wood chips and wood pellets, crop or organic waste, motor grabs or four-rope grabs are generally used. Due to their technical features, Peiner motor grabs offer numerous advantages, especially for their use in incinerator plants. 

Orange peel

The Peiner MMG/MMGL series of motor ‘orange peel’ grabs are already successfully established within the incineration market. These Peiner grabs are operated in both reversing operation and continuous running operation, according to DIN EN 60034. They operate in fully automatic, semi-automatic and multi-shift mode. Its specially designed construction allows for fast operation, and is highly energy efficient. The optimal installation height, low centre of gravity
and robust design ensures the flexible use of the MMG/ MMGL series.

Thanks to individually driven shell segments, the motor orange peel grab adapts to suit the materials being handled. The shell segment design and the number of shell segments on the grab can easily be adapted to meet customer requirements. Hydraulic pipes, wiring and connections, as well as the cylinder barrel and piston rod, are fully protected from external elements. 

The cylinders are fitted with oil damping at the end of travel to reduce noise and increase durability. Inside and outside shell plates are made of highly wear-resistant special steel, HARDOX. The self-regulating pump, with its 
integrated power regulator, ensures improved energy efficiency, protects the motor and enables optimal closing forces.

The grabs can be supplemented with further optional accessories: oil level watch and switch, oil tank thermometer and heater, inclination sensor in the control cabinet, central lubrication, as well as thermal protection for the engine.

Depending on the field of application, Peiner SMAG offer customers the option of mechanically operated rope grabs which are available in clamshell or orange peel grab design. Both types are considered solid and reliable. The balance ratio between the deadweight and grab volume (or crane capacity) provides a good level of penetration into the bulk material supporting higher throughput rates. 

Radio control

Equipped with Peiner radiocontrolled single-rope grabs, any deck or container crane is operationally ready for biomass handling at short notice, without the need for any additional accessories. This Peiner single-rope grab has already proved time and time again to be the perfect and reliable solution on board bulk carriers.

An enormous handling volume of more than 30 m3 allows the use of the existing crane lifting capacities even during grab operation. The radio control unit initiates grab opening. This process can be interrupted several times in the initial stage – e.g. for loading small hoppers or trucks without any loss of material. As an alternative, the grab can also easily be opened manually by means of a pull rope. 

Delivered with a handheld control panel, operators can easily control the Peiner radio-controlled single-rope grab by using this handy device, ensuring trouble-free wireless radio communication up to 500m. The high  power accumulators of the radio control allow for continuous duty up to 24 hours. They can be changed easily and quickly without the need for any tools. 

Ash handling 

Combustion residues from an incinerator plant are temporarily stored in a so-called ash bunker, and are then disposed of. SMAG has developed the Peiner motor dual scoop grabs, MTGL-3 product series, for work in the ash bunker. This product series is characterised by a large opening width and a strong closing force, thanks to its four cylinders. The inclined position of the cylinder keeps its height to a minimum. 

As the grabs are also used below the ash bunker, pipes, wires and connections are fitted with all-round protection that prevents dirt from entering the hydraulics. The Peiner ash grabs are equipped with exchangeable teeth that
tear the partially hardened and crusted surface apart and guarantee optimal filling.

Peiner SMAG discerns a positive trend in the handling of biomass, and continues to expand its efforts in providing high-quality, reliable grabs in this market, particularly in the waste incineration industry. An existing framework  agreement with a major client for the delivery of motor grabs to operate in the incineration plant has been highly successful, with incoming waste and the by-product of ashes handled by the MMGL/ MMTGL series Peiner motor
orange peel grabs. 

*This article was contributed by Peiner SMAG Lifting Technologies GmbH. The views and opinions expressed are not necessarily shared by Bulk Materials International.