Technology

New trends in weighing and dozing

Published

11 years ago

December 31, 2014

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Rotor Weighfeeder systems fulfill the requirements of prospective weighing and controlling dynamic gravimetric metering in closed metered feeding units, writes PJ Talreja.

With the emphasis of efficiency and quality of the cement, weighing and dosing of raw materials in the cement making process have gained high importance. Neither process engineering control of individual process stages nor comprehensive quality assurance would be conceivable nowadays without reliable metering technology. The efforts to achieve high quality standards, energy efficient systems, environmental compatibility and cost-effective production when metering bulk materials has led to a logical combination of the operations of bulk material extraction, weighing, metered feeding, discharge into the system, and data acquisition. The demands are focused not only on improved short- and long-term accuracy, large operating ranges and user-friendliness, but also on optimum integration of the bulk material metered feeding system into the automation scheme. Prospective weighing and controlling and dynamic gravimetric metering in closed metered feeding units – these are the current requirements which are fulfilled by using Rotor Weighfeeder systems.

The process of feeding material into rotary kilns is one of the key points in stabilising the process and optimising costs. The different systems available for feeding raw meal have, in the past, proven to have disadvantages and to involve difficulties: high electricity consumption for material transport, infiltration of air into the heat exchanger, and weaknesses in the electro-mechanical design which affect the process, the measuring accuracy and stability of the dosage. With the development of the Rotor Weighfeeder, which was first used to feed burners with coal dust and subsequently for feeding cement mills, the possibility arose of also using them for feeding raw meal into rotary kilns. The advantages were: advance planning in regulation of the dosage, a simple and robust construction, and reliability and accuracy in material dosage.

Cement process is highly energy consuming. Fossil fuel; primarily coal is one of the major fuel used in cement manufacturing. It is also well known that coal burning is a major source of pollution and CO2 emission. Coal also being a major cost in cement production, there has been a drive by the cement manufacturers globally to find a cheaper alternative solution. Alternative fuels from industrial waste, agricultural byproducts, sludge, municipal waste etc. have been tried in test plants in the last one and half decades. The tests have indicated that it is safe and economical to pursue the utilisation of the alternative fuels. The benefits are substantial to the cement manufacturers; helps in reduction of emission and solves the waste management of solid organic / inorganic wastes. Special feeding and dosing equipments will have to be designed to adapt to the different physical structure of the waste materials and fuels. Trials in several plants have proven that the Pfister TRW Rotor Weighfeeder is one of the most appropriate and reliable solution to this complex problem.

Volumetric feeding devices do not fulfill all the requirements of many processes because of their inefficient accuracy and they cannot be used to keep records.

Modern process therefore demand control elements which operates on a gravimetric basis and in which bulk material extraction actuating drive and direct transfer of the bulk material into the process are combined in an enclosed feeder of simple design. The world wide patented rotary gravimetric feeder system which fulfills the demand of high short term accuracy permanently gravimetric mode of operation, lag-free tracking of the process control variable and high accuracy.

Talreja is Business Head, FLSmidth Pvt Ltd (Pfister India Business Unit.)

Different models of rotary weigh feeder for different functions

FRW Rotor Weighfeeder for kiln feed
DRW Rotor Weighfeeder for pulverised coal pet-coke or lignite
URW Rotor Weighfeeder for fly-ash as fuel additive for burners or mill feeding
TRW-S Rotor Weighfeeder for flaky and fibrous secondary fuels like plastic, wood, paper and granulates.

Technology

ARAPL Reports 175% EBITDA Growth, Expands Global Robotics Footprint

Affordable Robotic & Automation posts strong Q2 and H1 FY26 results driven by innovation and overseas orders

Published

3 weeks ago

October 15, 2025

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Affordable Robotic & Automation Limited (ARAPL), India’s first listed robotics firm and a pioneer in industrial automation and smart robotic solutions, has reported robust financial results for the second quarter and half year ended September 30, 2025.
The company achieved a 175 per cent year-on-year rise in standalone EBITDA and strong revenue growth across its automation and robotics segments. The Board of Directors approved the unaudited financial results on October 10, 2025.

Key Highlights – Q2 FY2026
• Strong momentum across core automation and robotics divisions
• Secured the first order for the Atlas AC2000, an autonomous truck loading and unloading forklift, from a leading US logistics player
• Rebranded its RaaS product line as Humro (Human + Robot), symbolising collaborative automation between people and machines
• Expanded its Humro range in global warehouse automation markets
• Continued investment in deep-tech innovations, including AI-based route optimisation, autonomy kits, vehicle controllers, and digital twins
Global Milestone: First Atlas AC2000 Order in the US

ARAPL’s US-based subsidiary, ARAPL RaaS (Humro), received its first order for the next-generation Atlas AC2000 autonomous forklift from a leading logistics company. Following successful prototype trials, the client placed an order for two robots valued at Rs 36 million under a three-year lease. The project opens opportunities for scaling up to 15–16 robots per site across 15 US warehouses within two years.
The product addresses an untapped market of 10 million loading docks across 21,000 warehouses in the US, positioning ARAPL for exponential growth.

Financial Performance – Q2 FY2026 (Standalone)
Net Revenue: Rs 25.7587 million, up 37 per cent quarter-on-quarter
EBITDA: Rs 5.9632 million, up 396 per cent QoQ
Profit Before Tax: Rs 4.3808 million, compared to a Rs 360.46 lakh loss in Q1
Profit After Tax: Rs 4.1854 lakh, representing 216 per cent QoQ growth
On a half-year basis, ARAPL reported a 175 per cent rise in EBITDA and returned to profitability with Rs 58.08 lakh PAT, highlighting strong operational efficiency and improved contribution from core businesses.
Consolidated Performance – Q2 FY2026
Net Revenue: Rs 29.566 million, up 57% QoQ
EBITDA: Rs 6.2608 million, up 418 per cent QoQ
Profit After Tax: Rs 4.5672 million, marking a 224 per cent QoQ improvement

Milind Padole, Managing Director, ARAPL said, “Our Q2 results reflect the success of our innovation-led growth strategy and the growing global confidence in ARAPL’s technology. The Atlas AC2000 order marks a defining milestone that validates our engineering strength and accelerates our global expansion. With a healthy order book and continued investment in AI and autonomous systems, ARAPL is positioned to lead the next phase of intelligent industrial transformation.”
Founded in 2005 and headquartered in Pune, Affordable Robotic & Automation Ltd (ARAPL) delivers turnkey robotic and automation solutions across automotive, general manufacturing, and government sectors. Its offerings include robotic welding, automated inspection, assembly automation, automated parking systems, and autonomous driverless forklifts.
ARAPL operates five advanced plants in Pune spanning 350,000 sq ft, supported by over 400 engineers in India and seven team members in the US. The company also maintains facilities in North Carolina and California, and service centres in Faridabad, Mumbai, and San Francisco.

Technology

M.E. Energy Bags Rs 490 Mn Order for Waste Heat Recovery Project

Second major EPC contract from Ferro Alloys sector strengthens company’s growth

Published

3 weeks ago

October 15, 2025

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M.E. Energy Pvt Ltd, a wholly owned subsidiary of Kilburn Engineering Ltd and a leading Indian engineering company specialising in energy recovery and cost reduction, has secured its second consecutive major order worth Rs 490 million in the Ferro Alloys sector. The order covers the Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) of a 12 MW Waste Heat Recovery Based Power Plant (WHRPP).

This repeat order underscores the Ferro Alloys industry’s confidence in M.E. Energy’s expertise in delivering efficient and sustainable energy solutions for high-temperature process industries. The project aims to enhance energy efficiency and reduce carbon emissions by converting waste heat into clean power.

“Securing another project in the Ferro Alloys segment reinforces our strong technical credibility. It’s a proud moment as we continue helping our clients achieve sustainability and cost efficiency through innovative waste heat recovery systems,” said K. Vijaysanker Kartha, Managing Director, M.E. Energy Pvt Ltd.

“M.E. Energy’s expansion into sectors such as cement and ferro alloys is yielding solid results. We remain confident of sustained success as we deepen our presence in steel and carbon black industries. These achievements reaffirm our focus on innovation, technology, and energy efficiency,” added Amritanshu Khaitan, Director, Kilburn Engineering Ltd

With this latest order, M.E. Energy has already surpassed its total external order bookings from the previous financial year, recording Rs 138 crore so far in FY26. The company anticipates further growth in the second half, supported by a robust project pipeline and the rising adoption of waste heat recovery technologies across industries.

The development marks continued momentum towards FY27, strengthening M.E. Energy’s position as a leading player in industrial energy optimisation.

Technology

NTPC Green Energy Partners with Japan’s ENEOS for Green Fuel Exports

NGEL signs MoU with ENEOS to supply green methanol and hydrogen derivatives

Published

3 weeks ago

October 15, 2025

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NTPC Green Energy Limited (NGEL), a subsidiary of NTPC Limited, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Japan’s ENEOS Corporation to explore a potential agreement for the supply of green methanol and hydrogen derivative products.

The MoU was exchanged on 10 October 2025 during the World Expo 2025 in Osaka, Japan. It marks a major step towards global collaboration in clean energy and decarbonisation.
The partnership centres on NGEL’s upcoming Green Hydrogen Hub at Pudimadaka in Andhra Pradesh. Spread across 1,200 acres, the integrated facility is being developed for large-scale green chemical production and exports.

By aligning ENEOS’s demand for hydrogen derivatives with NGEL’s renewable energy initiatives, the collaboration aims to accelerate low-carbon energy transitions. It also supports NGEL’s target of achieving a 60 GW renewable energy portfolio by 2032, reinforcing its commitment to India’s green energy ambitions and the global net-zero agenda.