Updated: Aug. 11, 9:00 p.m.
The second of three new converter vessels decamped from Anmar in Lively, on board a large trailer, this evening at around 7:30 p.m.
The 100-ton, 14-metre long converter started its three hour trip on its way to the Vale smelter with some help from a Greater Sudbury Police escort and numerous hydro trucks to assist in raising power lines.
The converter is scheduled to arrive at Vale's smelter gate at 10:30 p.m. Aug. 11.
Original story:
Vale is scheduled to receive the second of three new converter vessels for its Copper Cliff Smelter Tuesday night as part of the company's $1 billion Clean AER Project.
The converter vessel weighs around 100 tonnes and is 14 metres long and 4.2 metres around. It is the second of three converters that are fabricated locally by Anmar for the project.
“The delivery of this converter, which was fabricated here in Sudbury, marks significant progress in the advancement of the Clean AER Project,” said Dave Marshall, director of the Clean AER Project, in a press release.
The Clean Atmospheric Emissions Reduction Project, is one of the largest single environmental investments in Ontario’s history. It will reduce sulphur dioxide emissions by 85 per cent and greenhouse gas emissions by 40 per cent from current levels. It will also reduce dust and metals emissions a further 35 to 40 per cent.
The project involves a complete retrofit of the converter aisle in the Copper Cliff Smelter. Sulphur dioxide that currently goes up the super stack from the converters will be captured in a new wet gas cleaning plant, sent to the acid plant, converted to sulphuric acid and sold.
The wide-load delivery of the converter vessel to Vale’s smelter gate will take place between 7:30 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. on Aug. 11. The converter will be delivered from Anmar, at 199 Mumford Rd in Lively.
Due to the size of the load, the Greater Sudbury Regional Police will provide an escort for the delivery. As the width of the load will occupy two lanes, it is expected that traffic will be temporarily delayed during the delivery period.
“Vale wishes to inform the public that there may be short-term inconveniences to drivers along this route,” said Marshall. “The public is asked to consider alternative routes to get to their destinations during this period.”
