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As the 2050 net zero goals draw closer, airports need to reimagine even the most core passenger services, such as baggage handling, to streamline operations. A demandresponsive BHS model could help lighten the load
2024-10-17 08:58:00
PACK LIGHT
To keep running costs down and meet key sustainability goals, airport operators need to find ways to be more energy efficient. Beumer Group has developed its CrisBag tote-based independent carrier system (ICS) to deliver energy savings while improving overall operational efficiency in end-to-end baggage handling applications.
BHS on demand
Legacy BHS were not necessarily designed with energy efficiency in mind. They typically comprise several rubber belts run by large, noisy, energy-intensive gearboxes that drag the belts across metal rollers. Still a common sight in many airports, these baggage handling systems are switched on at the beginning of the day before the first bag is checked in, and are not switched off until the end of the day when the last item has been delivered. This means the belt system is running continuously – potentially for 16-20 hours at a time – consuming a lot of energy and racking up operating costs.
In contrast, CrisBag is an on-demand, modular system. If there are no bags on a CrisBag module, it stops. When there are bags, the system operates at high speeds, giving airports built-in energy-saving flexibility to handle more bags than ever before. Smart sensors enable CrisBag modules to turn themselves off when there is no demand, and these periods of downtime quickly add up. Whether calculated annually or over the system’s lifetime, it is no exaggeration to say the energy savings achievable when using CrisBag run into tens of millions of euros, compared with a conventional conveyor.
Energy-efficient design
The CrisBag system has been designed to achieve new standards of energy efficiency. The key to this effective technology lies in the modules on which the bags are placed. At just 3m in length, they are much shorter than a regular 10-30m conveyor. The shortness of the CrisBag elements works in the system’s favor by making it easier to stop than a regular conveyor system, where the gap between bags is seldom long enough to switch it off.
CrisBag belts are also much narrower and lighter than conventional conveyors. This reduces the amount of torque (and therefore energy) that is required to start the belt. The system achieves further efficiencies in its adaptation of IE5 motors, which use up to 20% less energy than previous generations of motors.
100% traceability
In addition to saving energy, this tote-based ICS delivers 100% tracking and traceability at every stage of the baggage handling process.
On a conventional BHS conveyor, a loss of tracking can result in a lengthy delay because it requires extensive manual intervention to enable the bag to be rescreened. With CrisBag, each item of baggage remains in the same individually controlled tote (tray) throughout the complete baggage handling process from check-in, through BHS screening, to baggage storage and onward to baggage make-up.
Each tote is equipped with an RFID tag, so 100% traceability is possible even within the manual inspection areas. This also eliminates the need for manual interventions caused by tracking failures on conventional conveyors. In addition, the RFID tracking makes it possible to mix bags with clear and unclear screening statuses on the same line.
Optimal design
The design features of smaller elements and tote-based baggage handling have the potential to deliver broader efficiencies within airports.
The smaller size of the system elements makes the CrisBag BHS easier to scale. The comprehensive system includes modules such as right-angle cross-transfers and powered walkthrough elements, which requires less building space and makes maintenance access easier.
CrisBag totes are ideal for multipurpose storage and include early baggage storage (EBS) features. They can also support the implementation of batch building and automated loading, enabling a more efficient make-up process. This affords opportunities for space and labor optimization.
Users of CrisBag can also benefit from reduced total lifecycle costs. Because there is less run time on the CrisBag, components wear out less frequently. Tests in live installations show that each individual section is in operation for only about 10% of the total system run time, which reduces maintenance hours and minimizes the need for replacement parts.
When parts do need to be replaced, the smaller size of the CrisBag elements compared with conventional conveyors enables quicker repair times. The overall design of CrisBag therefore means that airports can benefit from reduced maintenance needs in addition to lower energy bills.
Maximum benefits
Reduced energy consumption is one of many benefits that the CrisBag ICS offers airport operators over traditional conveyor-based BHS. Its modular and scalable design enables pre-assembly, which reduces site time, optimizes space use and reduces the number of spare parts required. In operation, CrisBag offers exceptional levels of speed and security throughout the baggage handling process, reducing the need for manual interventions and freeing up staff. Smaller and more compact designs, coupled with on-demand working, equate to a reduced carbon footprint.
In summary, CrisBag is geared toward solving a wide range of problems, from how best to integrate automated baggage handling and high-capacity sortation between one or more terminals, to fulfilling baggage storage and 100% tracking needs – and all while optimizing energy consumption and operational efficiency in end-to-end BHS operations.
"More compact designs, coupled with on-demand working, equate to a reduced carbon footprint"
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