Family-run construction services firm Bisio Hnos S.A. has commissioned a state-of-the-art sand washing plant, designed and engineered by industry experts CDE, to modernize its operation and maximize material recovery in the face of growing sand shortages.
With more than 70 years of experience in the construction sector, Bisio Hnos S.A. specializes in providing a range of services from bulk soil movement and the leasing of road equipment to the manufacture and supply of ready-mix concrete as well as washed sand and aggregates.
The investment in CDE technology comes as sand shortages continue to grip economies around the world, particularly in large urban centres.
The family firm previously operated a traditional sand screw at its Salto extraction site, which was recently upgraded to an EvoWash™ sand washing plant to help maximize material recovery and extend the life of depleting natural reserves.
MAXIMIZING RECOVERY
A compact, modular sand washing system, the EvoWash screens and separates the sand in two fractions through an integrated high-frequency dewatering screen, sump and hydrocyclone.
These provide unrivaled control of silt cut points and eliminate the loss of quality fines with significant commercial value to settling ponds.
“Material retention was key,” company owner Mr. Marcelo Bisio said.
“The limitations of the older sand screw technology were leading to the loss of fine material to our settling ponds. We knew there was value locked in those fines that needed to be recovered in a more efficient way. Furthermore, the possibility of creating a Fine Sand product for mortar in a single equipment was very interesting to Bisio Hnos,” he added.
CDE's Business Development Manager, Gustavo Brasil said: “Older sand screw technology, which is still widely used in the industry, can work effectively if the operator is processing coarse sand with low silt and clay content. They are constrained, however, when it comes to processing and capturing fine material.”
With an increased number of parameters to ensure improved accuracy on the material cut point, high-value fines, often lost and trapped at the bottom of settling ponds when processed with the more traditional sand screw, are being captured and have helped Bisio Hnos S.A. expand its product range and create a new revenue stream.
PROCESSING UP TO 80TPH
Processing up to 80 tons per hour of raw sand and gravel feed material, Bisio Hnos S.A. is now supplying both concrete and mortar sands to the local construction industry and is capturing material that was previously sent to settling ponds as a waste output.
“Production is up, time lost to the maintenance and double handling of materials in settling ponds is down, and more material that ever before is being recovered, which is key when the demand for quality construction materials is high and we’re facing an epidemic of sand reserve depletion around the world,” Gustavo added.
Marcelo Bisio said he first met our team at CONEXPO-CON/AGG in 2020.
“It was important we find a long-term partner who can deliver and maintain a long-term solution. We carefully researched our options and for us CDE had the competitive advantage. Its robust plant technology was backed up by expert insight and lifetime plant care to ensure we maintain a profitable position."
ENGINEERED FOR OPTIMUM EFFICIENCY
Gustavo Brasil added that the project is flying the flag for CDE engineering excellence.
“We’re very proud to partner with Bisio Hnos S.A. whose CDE plant is the first we’ve commissioned in the Uruguay market. It’s delivering operational efficiency, increased in-spec sand recovery and fast return on investment. We hope it can serve to help sand producers to recognize how modern technological solutions can unlock the hidden potential of their operations.”
We currently have a trade in deal where producers can trade in their sand screw for the EvoWash.