SALINA, KS, USA – Vortex is pleased to announce the release of its new Grain Ship Loading Spout. Capable of load rates over 113,510 bushels | 141,260 ftᶾ | 4,000 mᶾ of grain per hour, the Vortex Grain Ship Loading Spout is among the world’s fastest and most efficient loading solutions.

When properly applied using proprietary engineering controls (headchute, spout, dust collection, etc.), the Vortex Grain Ship Loading Spout is specifically designed for dust-free grain loading, thereby protecting the port’s nearby neighborhoods, waterways and other surrounding ecosystems from grain dust emissions into the atmosphere.

Discharge Filtration System

The Vortex Grain Ship Loading Spout is equipped with a Discharge Filtration System for improved dust management at the point of discharge. It is specifically designed to (1) Displace dust-laden air from its source; (2) Separate dusts from the air; (3) Exhaust the cleaned air into the atmosphere; and (4) Re-entrain the filtered dusts back down into the load.

Vortex Filtration Systems are “active units,” meaning air withdrawal forcibly pulls displaced air and dusts through the filter cartridges, in order to perform a filtration process.

The Vortex Discharge Filtration System is rated at efficiencies of:

• 99.98% @ 1/3 micron
• 99.99% @ ½ micron
• 100% @ 1 micron

Other Considerations:

• Vortex Grain Ship Loading Spouts are made-to-order to fulfill each client’s application requirements. This includes spout overall size to meet load rate capacity requirements, vertical travel distance requirements, and other considerations for application parameters.
• Vortex Grain Ship Loading Spouts are constructed from telescoping tubes which slide into one another as the spout retracts. In doing so, the spout’s overall height is condensed to allow bulk carriers safe entry and exit at the port.
• The spout's telescoping tubes are constructed from durable metal materials. Doing so protects the spout from the elements of its surrounding environment, addresses wear and abrasion from the grain(s) handled, and provides stability in spouts with especially long vertical travel distances.
• The Vortex Grain Ship Loading Spout utilizes a two cable, dual-drum, two-part reeving hoist drive system. Redundant features are included to limit travel at both the upper and lower limits, as well as over- and under-speed conditions and cable tension monitoring. The winch system is designed at 5:1 service factor.

"The most critical features of ship loading equipment are reliability and environmental safety," explained Mark Schaberg P.E., chief engineer, Vortex. "Nowadays, ports worldwide consider pollution prevention a primary objective – paying special mind to reducing dust emissions and preventing cargo overflow or spillage. To address these concerns, it is critical to incorporate sophisticated engineering controls and dust control measures to provide the best available technology to our customers.”