TWS solution selected by Scotland’s Geddes Group

Scotland-based Geddes Group is meeting customers’ demands through a washing solution offered by Terex Washing Systems (TWS) at its new site, Struan Quarry Edzell. The Geddes Group’s sand and gravel reserves were running low at the Stannochy Quarry, which prompted the need to identify a new gravel pit site, as well as a new wash plant, as its current system was old and becoming inefficient. The requirement to produce a premium sand and gravel product to serve the company’s concrete and asphalt business, led the Geddes Group to the AggreSand™, a cutting edge solution offered by TWS. This would address the company’s high silt problem, with the ability to produce three aggregates and two sands, as well as meeting demand from a growing customer base.

The Geddes Group is a family firm established over 70 years ago, originating from an agricultural base, where it still owns and operates farms as Geddes Farms. It also offers a full range of earthworks, tipping, recycling and muck away facilities, quarry aggregates, asphalt and ready-mix concrete products. The operation is based in Arbroath with depots, quarries and plants throughout east and central Scotland.

The Geddes family was the first customers to see the world’s first AggreSand™ in operation, following the official launch event, and again at the Hillhead Show, UK, in June 2014. It was following these site visits and several consultations with TWS and its Scottish distributor, Blue Group, that a decision was made to purchase the AggreSand™. Upon the first viewing of the plant, Frank Geddes, Managing Director, Neill Geddes, Plant Director and Graham Geddes, Director, commented: “On viewing the plant for the first time I immediately saw the benefits of the plant and it was evident it was the solution for Geddes. The access and serviceability features off the machines, along with the roll-out centrifugal pumps and roll out chute work, were especially valuable features. In addition the feed hopper design and capacity was a selling point. It was obvious from viewing the plant operating and the processing capability that a considerable amount of thought and design went into it.”

Blue Group and TWS applications and engineer’s teams worked closely with the Geddes Group, firstly to identify its specific requirements in terms of desired products and specification. This involved several sites visits, feed material analysis, plant drawings and design modifications to suit its specific spec. Samples of the feed material were sent for further testing at TWS Headquarters in Dungannon. A full civil and plant layout drawing was provided, outlining the water and electrical; input/output points. The high sand-to-stone ratio suggested that the high capacity plant would be the most suited solution for the company’s specific needs.

The plant was installed and fully commissioned at the Geddes site in November 2014, and was in fact the first AggreSand™ to grace the Scottish shores, with a further one since installed at another site in Inverness. 

“The expertise and support we received from TWS and Blue Group, Scotland, has been second to none, making the entire process easy. The plant has been producing effectively since it was installed. The HMI Control system was a feature that struck me. The ability and ease of obtaining live data in terms of water pressures, flows, cyclone feed pressures as well as motor amp reading was very impressive. Undoubtedly the AggreSand™ 165 with its 16 x 5 screen and high capacity 200 tph sand plant will leave Geddes in a strong position to meet current demand and keep up with our ambitious growth plans,” said Neill Geddes, Plant Director.

The feed material, natural sand and gravel is pre-screened and fed from a loading shovel onto a H9 hopper. The top deck is fitted out with 24 mm² polyurethane modules and 12 mm on the middle deck. The bottom deck is split 1/3^rd 3 mm and 2/3^rd 5 mm to produce two grades of sand – concrete and building.

From time to time, the concrete sand fraction on this site can be what is referred to as ‘hungry’. However, by utilising the AggreSand™ cyclone underflow blending system the group is able to transfer a percentage of fines from the building sand to the concrete sand, thus ensuring specification is maintained.

In addition, the plant is producing three clean aggregates (10 mm, 20 mm and 40 mm) for use as draining, landscaping and concrete stone.

Adapted from press release by Louise Fordham

Read the article online at: https://www.worldcement.com/product-news/12022015/geddes-group-opts-for-tws-solution-162/