QUALITY CONTROL
Ore Formulation:
Since the Curimbaba Group owns and operates the mines in Brazil from which we extract our ore, we can control the chemical composition of the aluminum ore used to make our bauxite proppants. In our operations the ore is simultaneously mined from various deposits. Each deposit may have significant variations in mineralogy. Each truckload of ore is sampled for chemical composition determination upon arriving at the Mineração Curimbaba processing plant. Knowing the chemical composition of the truckload, it is then directed to one of several large stockpiles where it is blended in proportions that will result in the precise mineralogy designed for use in manufacturing bauxite proppants. Using this approach allows us to maintain a high degree of consistency from ore mineralogy all the way to finished product performance.
Manufacturing:
Curimbaba Proppants are manufactured in a continuous process. Upon completion the proppant is packaged in bulk bags containing 3,300 lb. each. Each bag represents one lot and is assigned a unique lot number for reference. From each 3,300 lbs. lot a sample is collected and tested according to API RP60 procedures. The results of these tests are tabulated in a Quality Control Certificate for that particular lot of product. A copy of this certificate is then attached to the bulk bag containing that lot.
Shipment:
The bulk bags are then loaded into overseas shipping containers and transferred via ocean freighter to our clients. Regarding Sintex North America, the bulk bags are loaded into overseas shipping containers and transferred via ocean freighter to inventory at one of the Sintex Distribution Centers in US. Then, Loadout process starts:
Loadout:
To fill a bulk order of Curimbaba proppant from the one of the Sintex Distribution Centers in US, the bulk bags are individually drained into a hopper and screened once more as it is conveyed to a pneumatic trailer for shipment to the customer. As each bag is gravity fed onto the conveyor, a sample is collected from the falling stream using a sampling device (as per API RP-60). All samples for a given truck are combined to form a composite sample representing the truckload. This composite sample is reduced and split using a sample splitter (as per API RP-60). One half of the reduced sample is sent along with the truck to the final destination for the customer. The other half of the reduced sample is retained in the Sintex laboratory at our Rosenberg Distribution Center and stored for a period of six months in case there is a request for further testing.