WindObserver monitors Christmas Island Phosphates for stevedore operations
Phosphate Resources Ltd (PRL) operations on Christmas Island commenced in 1990, and in normal times the Company would expect to export approximately 700,000 tonnes of phosphate product a year to Australia, New Zealand, Malaysia, Thailand and Indonesia. The phosphate is automatically transferred to the awaiting vessel (see above image).
To assist Stevedore operations at the port wind measurement is required so that staff are only working in wind speeds that are safe especially with regard to the phosphate rock, which is loaded onto vessels by two cantilever arms fitted with telescopic chutes. The arms are swung over the appropriate hatches on the ship, and the rock is poured into the hold, each arm can load 600 tonnes per hour.
The system consists of a WindObserver65 that transmits the
data via radio to two of the slew (cranes) and the master control room. Each crane and control room has a cabinet with a SYN96 display unit that triggers an alarm when the wind speed threshold of 25 knots is reached.
Why Gill?
Gills range of WindObserver anemometers provides wind speed (WindObserver up to 90m/s) and direction (360°) measurements in robust stainless steel housings giving high quality, reliable fit-and-forget installations. Having no moving parts with high, long-term accuracy they offer clear advantages over conventional cup-and-vane instruments, particularly in such exposed, salt laden environments. WindObserver also provides all year round measurement utilising two levels of heating depending on the installation site.
Originally published as a Gill application note (AN0037).
Have an application to discuss?
Speak to our team
Tell us what you need to measure, where and under what conditions. We’ll help you work out the appropriate approach.