5 October 2010

Rand Technical Services (RTS), based in Tshwane, is a specialised engineering company which offers engineered solutions to the mining, petrochemical and power generation industries, among others.

RTS began trading in 1998, and MD Ian Fraser, who has been at the helm since the company’s inception, explains how the company has grown and evolved with the times: “We started off providing instrumentation systems, pumps, valves and filtration. But now we concentrate more on specialised high technology ‘niche’ markets.”

RTS’s range of quality, globally-sourced products and solutions include belt weighers, laser-based gas detection devices for hot or corrosive areas, and electrolysers for hydrogen production. Other products address environmental issues, such as dust control systems, flue gas monitoring, modular water treatment plants and combustion optimisation.

This year, RTS is pleased to be able to showcase two products at Electra Mining that work hand in hand to enhance the efficacy of continuous belt weighing: Procon’s Inflo Resometric belt weigher and ultraMOIST, an Australian moisture detection system.

RTS has had a long-standing association with UK-based Procon Engineering, specialists in belt weighing technology. RTS is the local agent for Procon’s Inflo Resometric belt weigher, which provides a specialised combination of features which ensure high levels of performance over long periods of time.

Says Fraser: “Procon’s Inflo Resometric belt weighers have built an enviable reputation for precision and reliability, and have proven themselves in the harshest of environments around the world, including here in South Africa.”

He goes on to describe the significant long-term benefits of the Procon belt weighers: “The Procon Inflo belt weighers use resometric technology in place of load cells. This technology offers longer-term accuracy, and stays in calibration for longer period - therefore needing less maintenance.”

At the heart of the Inflo Resometric belt weigher is the Digital Resometric Force Transducer, or resonator, which, according to Fraser, provides high measurement performance levels over a long working life. “With no moving parts, the fine wire of the resonator is tuned to the standard, zero-weight level of the applied force from the weigh carriage itself”, he explains.

Fraser continues: “The resonant frequency changes in proportion to applied load passing over the carriage rollers. This change in frequency is processed by the electronics and combined with the belt travel speed (as measured by a tachometer) to provide an accurate weight reading per unit time.”

The ultraMOIST moisture-detection technology was created by Australian engineering company Ultra-Dynamics. According to Trevor Powell, MD, the product is based on the latest moisture detection technology and has enjoyed success in Europe and Australia, particularly in mining processes.

“ultraMOIST uses microwave technology to determine moisture levels of the product on the belt,” Powell explains. “The technology works with a transmitter placed below, and a receiver placed above a conveyor.

“The result is an accurate moisture level reading of material on the conveyor, which is crucial in any industry where moisture levels (in a product) need to be either reduced or increased, or factored in for billing purposes.”

Powell cites the example of coal being supplied to a power generation plant. “After accurately weighing the coal, the moisture content then needs to be determined to ensure accurate billing, and, ultimately, sound return-on-investment for the client,” he says.

Although ultraMOIST technology has enjoyed international success, the product is relatively new in South Africa. Powell, who is in the country for Electra Mining 2010, is looking forward to introducing local industries to the benefits of microwave moisture detection technology, particularly in relation to Procon’s belt weighing technology.

Fraser adds: “The Procon belt weigher offers highly accurate product measurement for longer periods, and the same can be said for ultraMOIST – it is a product synergy RTS is very proud to introduce to local industry.”

Samples of both products are on display at Electra Mining 2010.

Ends

(648 words)

Note to Editors

Rand Technical Services, or RTS, is a specialised, Tshwane-based company offering innovative technologies and solutions to industrial problems.

Run by Managing Director Ian Fraser since its inception in the early 1990’s, the company offers globally-sourced, quality products such as continuous belt weighers without load cells, laser-based gas detection devices for hot or corrosive areas, and electrolysers for hydrogen production.

Product delivery and technical consultation by highly-trained staff is offered throughout Southern Africa to a range of clients in industry sectors such as mining, glass, steel and energy.

Editorial Contacts

Richard Cooper
Marketing manager
Rand Technical Services
012 - 993 9620
info@rtsafrica.co.za
www.rtsafrica.co.za

Kendal Hunt
PR Consultant and Writer
Kendal Hunt Communications
011 – 7045649 or kenh@mweb.co.za