K-TEK’s Laser technology provides a solid and cutting edge solution to a challenging problem for a Montana coal mine. The customer wanted to automate its coal loading process in its coal barn storage facility, but the 700 ft. long x 100 ft. wide facility presented difficulty in overseeing and controlling the coal filling process and inventory stock take. A tripper car with dual chutes moving on an overhead rail structure facilitates the coal feed. While an operator manually controls the entire coal loading process, the dusty enclosed environment and large coal barn proved to be challenging for the operator’s ability to effectively and accurately control the process. K-TEK’s LM80 and LM200 Laser Transmitters were selected by the customer to automate the coal loading process and to provide real time system feedback for continuous stock measurement. In order to achieve continuous level measurement, K-TEK implemented an array of laser transmitters that were sufficiently spaced for inventory accuracy distance between them. At the same time, the LM200 Laser Level Transmitters, which are set to measure distance, continuously measures the position of the tripper car. The LM80 Laser Level Transmitters mounted on the traveling tripper chutes monitor the real time level fill while the tripper is in position for the coal dump.

Solution:1. Sixteen (16) LM80 Laser Transmitters were installed

at 40 ft. intervals on the roof walkway to cover the entire length of the coal barn providing complete coverage of the 700 ft. long facility with acceptable coal volume accuracy and level information available 24/7.

(continued on page 2)

In This Issue...

November 2010

Laser Success in Coal Barn

K-TEK/ABB WEFTEC Book Featured in Video for Water Online

P. 1

P. 2

24/7 Customer ServiceK-TEK has a dedicated phone number available for you to reach a K-TEK Customer Service Technician 24-hours a day and seven days a week. When dialed, the line will connect you to the customer service office during normal business hours and will alert the on-call technician on his cell phone after business hours. Also, you may continue to use the e-mail address below.

+1.225.677.5836 service@ktekcorp.com

Laser Success in Coal Barn

LM80 Laser Transmitter on traveling chute

Reflector on tripper car for 700 ft./214 m long range positioning with LM200

Two (2) LM80 Laser Transmitters for tripper car positioning 700 ft./214 m

Coal Barn

K-TEK/ABB WEFTEC Booth Featured in

ONLINE VIDEO

eCOMMERCE

Visit buy.ktekonline.com

24 HOUR SHIPPING on orders placed by 2 PM CST

Find a Local Representative

18321 Swamp Road | Prairieville, LA 70769tel: +1.225.673.6100 | fax: +1.225.673.2525toll free: +1.800.735.5835 sales@ktekcorp.com | www.ktekcorp.com

TLN-0054-1 (11-2010) DRR0329

2010 Trade Show SCHEDULEADIPEC 2010Nov. 1 - 4Abu DhabiBooth 05065 & 05070

OSEANov. 30 - Dec. 3Suntec SingaporeBooth 4N3-07

See our web site for complete trade show listings and booth numbers as they will become available for 2011.

K-TEK/ABB WEFTEC Booth Featured In Video for Water OnlineAndrew Navarre, Global Product Manager MLT/Ultrasonics, and other members of ABB discuss the company's new line of products on display at WEFTEC 2010. Products include a new solar-powered flowmeter, K-TEK level detectors, total package solutions, and a full line of ABB motors for the water industry. (wateronline.com)

Click on the image below to view the video.

The K-TEK factory in Prairieville, Louisiana will be closed Thursday, November 25 and Friday, November 26 for the Thanksgiving holiday. We will reopen 8 a.m. CST Monday, November 29.

Laser Success in Coal Barn (continued from page 1)2. Two (2) LM200 High Performance Laser Transmitters were used for

measurement of the tripper car position. One transmitter is continuously on for the tripper car position measurement while the second one is kept as a back-up unit with automatic start-up in case of fault or power supply failure of the first transmitter. The tripper car moves at a speed of 1 ft. / sec.

3. Two (2) LM80 Laser Transmitters were installed on each of the tripper car traveling chutes for real time level measurement while the tripper is in fill mode position and surface profiling as the tripper moves from an offloading location to the next one.

4. A sophisticated control system collects the level, position and real time profiling information and automatically controls the coal loading process. At the same time, continuous stock inventory information is generated for stock control decision making and reporting.

This automated system was implemented in the beginning of 2008 and drastically improved the efficiency and accuracy of the coal barn loading process. The system provided accurate coal inventory information continuously available to the accounting department of the coal mine. In conclusion, the system completely eliminated the health hazard issues and human errors.