October 13, 2008

ANCOMA SCALES

The massive scale is designed to weigh loaded-up Super Bs that haul up to 42-tonne loads of cement and fly ash.

New ENX scale weighs in as Alberta’s largest

PETER KENTER

correspondent

EDMONTON

Not that anyone’s really been keeping track, but a new scale being constructed in Edmonton may be the largest in Alberta.

The scale, about 49 metres long, is being built and installed by Ancoma Scales for ENX Inc.

Once installed at ENX’s new facility located in the Acheson industrial area near West Edmonton Mall, the scale will be used to weigh trucks carrying cement and fly ash.

ENX is affiliated with EPCOR Generation Inc., and supplies North American customers with coal combustion products, such as fly ash, an ingredient used in concrete.

The fly ash produced at the Genesee Generating Station is known as pozzolan.

It’s in heavy demand because it produces concrete that is dense, strong and water-resistant.

The product reduces generation of carbon dioxide by replacing Portland cement, which is considered a significant source of the gas during production.

ENX owns several of the heaviest trucks allowed on Alberta roads — long “Super-Bs” that can haul up to 42-tonne loads.

“We’ve installed a lot of scales at 120 feet (37 metres),” said Andrew Buerger of Ancoma Scales.

“The only thing I’ve seen that compares is some of the scales at Syncrude that aren’t as long, but wider at short stops.”

Ancoma Scales specializes in installing and manufacturing industrial scales.

This particular model was imported from Wisconsin.

The scale operates by measuring changes in a steel load cell — microflexes — that translate electronically into accurate weight readings.

The scale is made up of eight large steel modules, each with its own load cell.

“Once we install the scale components, we set the weight, run all of the cabling into a junction box, wire all of the load cells together and calibrate the scale,” said Buerger.

“This installation is unusual, because we typically install scales about 80 to 90 feet (25 to 27 metres) long. In those scales, the loads are measured with the vehicle in exactly the same place all the time, as used in the gravel industry for instance. The advantage of a scale this long is that you can load any compartment on a longer truck and still weigh it as the truck moves forward to any of three loading silos along the length of the scale. The Super-B could be halfway past the loading silo and they could still measure the load that’s on it. You could weigh 10,000 kilos per 10 feet (three metres) if they can get the truck that full. The scale could weigh total loads up to 160,000 kilograms.”

The cost of such a scale runs around $200,000 depending on the current price of the steel used in construction.

Buerger said he once received a request for a scale capable of measuring more than 450,000 kilograms, but had to turn down the order.

“They wanted to rent it,” he said.

“The cost of building a scale that big would have been prohibitive. I don’t know what we could have used it for after it was returned to us. After I explained that, we both had a good laugh about it.”

The ENX plant is scheduled to open this fall.

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