Harsco have been a client of RB Plant since 2013 when we designed an innovative rumbler feed and discharge system. The equipment has proven to be exceptionally reliable in the harsh environments that Harsco operate in.
Following this successful work Harsco approached RB Plant to undertake the detailed engineering of a below ground steam box system. This work was completed in 2017.
In 2018 Harsco asked RB Plant to develop this technology into an above ground system based on their experience of a trial in Holland. This work was completed in September 2018.
RB Plant have provided the following engineering services for Harsco when undertaking the rumbler and steam box work:
a. Detailed Engineering
b. Mechanical Engineering
c. Process Engineering
d. Civil Engineering
e. Design Engineering (DO)
f. Electrical Engineering
g. Instrumentation Engineering
In conjunction to the above work Harsco wanted to know if any of the energy from the process could be recovered. RB Plant undertook a Horizon Scanning activity and produced an energy recovery report for Harsco. This report outlined both the energy that could be recovered and also the potential to recover water from the process.
Horizon Scanning is a new engineering service that RB Plant offers. Horizon Scanning is an organised formal process of gathering, analysing and disseminating value-added information to support decision making.
The unique methodology that RB Plant use is based on our Pure Innovation by Engineers approach. This approach differs to conventional horizon scanning consultants’ approaches. Our methodology, as developed by Seán McKirdy, focuses on the near term proven technologies and applies our industry specific knowledge during the analysis stage.
As part of this process we also use TRIZ. TRIZ is the Russian acronym for “Teoriya Resheniya Izobretatelskikh Zadatch” (теория решения изобретательских задач). This roughly means the ‘Theory of Inventive Problem Solving’ as developed in 1946 by soviet inventor Genrich Altshuller and his colleagues.
Seán is a qualified TRIZ Practitioner and has extensive experience providing horizon scanning services to the rail industry, academia and UK Government Departments including the Home Office and Department for Transport.
Following the Horizon Scanning Report Harsco requested RB Plant to undertake a Feasibility Study. We have now completed the Feasibility Study and issued a draft report to Harsco. The feedback from Harsco has been excellent.
As a result of the innovative engineering we have undertaken for Harsco, RB Plant have been named a “Harsco Innovation Company”.
