Control Technique installs diesel saving system on 12 RTGs at Felixstowe Port

04 Apr 2012 - Environment , Terminal Handling, Rubber-Tyred Gantry Cranes (RTGs)

Control Techniques has installed its diesel saving system on 12 of Felixstowe's RTGs. Image: Emerson

• Diesel usage reduced by 25 percent per crane with installation of drive-based system

Emerson's Control Techniques has announced that it has recently installed its diesel saving system on a total of 12 rubber tyre gantry cranes (RTGs) at the Port of Felixstowe, the UK’s container port"" title="Read more port technology news on largest container port">largest container port.

The RIS GA drive-based system manages the diesel generator, allowing its speed to be reduced during stand-by, whilst maintaining power for auxiliary and safety equipment.

Diesel generators onboard RTGs and mobile harbour cranes (MHCs) usually run at constant speed to provide the drive system and auxiliaries with a constant supply voltage regardless of whether the crane is in operation or stand-by.

With a recent assessment of diesel usage confirming savings of up to 25 percent per crane, the investment, according to Control Techniques, is expected to grant Felixstowe a return on investment (ROI) of less than three years.

The Port of Felixstowe handles over 3 million TEUs annually, with over 40 percent of the UK’s import and export trade passes through the port.

The 12 RTGs fitted with the RIS GA system in Felixstowe are rated at 40 tonnes under the spreader, with a hoist speed of 50 m/min, a trolley speed of 70 m/min, a gantry speed of 140 m/min and a 670 kVA diesel generator. Each RTG will complete around 100,000 moves per year.

RIS GA has been applied successfully on RTGs and MHCs throughout, including cranes manufactured by ZPMC, Kalmar, MGM-OMG, Doosan and Fantuzzi Reggiane.