Page 9 - Towards better compaction v0.5

Towards Better Compaction

Loading

Theory

We need to maximise the number of woodchips in each hold and minimise air gaps as these take-up
space that could be used to store more chips. We also need to apply this consistently across similar
vessels and cargos.

Loading techniques vary from site to site and
can depend upon customer requirements but
the “perfect” loading can be compared to a
snow shower, where the chips fall gently and lie
flat – the lower the density of chips at impact
with the surface, the greater the likelihood of
them lying flat and achieving good compaction.

The further and higher the woodchips go, the
lower their density at impact and the greater
the spread.

Purpose built woodchip carriers have high
sides to maximise their hold capacity. The
factors governing capacity are the draught
of the ship (the distance between the
waterline and the bottom of the hull), and
each holds physical capacity – woodchips
are very light when compared to some
other dry bulk cargoes (e.g. iron ore or coal)
and won't exceed the vessel’s carrying
capacity.

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