Modern Mining October 2017

PRODUCT News

MRS develops mobile dewatering unit

with very high ambient rock temperatures where ventilation costs are pivotal to mak- ing the mine viable,” said Jay Armburger, Product Manager with responsibility for underground technology. “One means of reducing ventilation demand is through electrification of the mining equipment.” The programme started with a full pro- duction study and data analysis of the die- sel machine in order to set a baseline. Once this was accomplished, the transformation of the R1300G to a battery electric proof of concept began. The modifications includ- ed removing the engine, transmission and torque converter and then reconfiguring the engine end frame to accommodate the battery boxes and electric motors. The re- sult is a battery electric powertrain driving a conventional and mechanical drivetrain (drive shafts and axles). “If planned and executed well, dewatering is a seamless part of the excavation mining process,” Steenkamp continues. “The MRS Mobile Pump-set gives our clients the capability to move the unit around where needed when pumping wastewater into transfer tanks. This gives clients flexibility over discharge times, saving on transport costs and increasing forward planning and productivity. As an appointed product and service provider to both HCP Pumps and KSB Pumps & Valves, MRS can execute on-site repair, swap-out or add more units if a sudden need arises for water to be rapidly removed.” Franscois Steenkamp, Mechanical Rotating Solutions, tel (+27 12) 809-3935, e-mail: franscois@mrssa.co.za mechanical seal and powered by an Actom 375 kW, 525 V, 4-pole electric motor, was incorporated as the main dewatering pump. Attached to the KSB centrifugal pump are 450 mm high-density polyethy­ lene (HDPE) suction pipes and pipe floaters enabling the dewatering system to pump at 35 m static head (the height at which a pump can raise water up) over a distance of 2 000 m into a transfer tank for further distribution.” Incorporated into the design is a smaller HCP submersible pump. This sup- plies water to the suction pipes and KSB pump volute in order to remove air from the pump and suction line permitting atmospheric pressure and flooding pres- sure to cause liquid to flow into the pump on start-up. This is generally referred to as pump priming.

In order to control the water levels in an open-pit coal mine, Mechanical Rotating Solutions (MRS) has designed and man- ufactured the innovative MRS Mobile Pump-set. Not only is it capable of con- trolling the in-pit water levels for mining activities to proceed but it can also be stored in close proximity to the operations, increasing productivity whilst reducing water management transport costs. “Effective water management is essen- tial in not only open-pit coal mines but also in sub-surface mining operations. Mine dewatering is a critical part of open- pit coal mining as it lowers the water table around the quarry. In order to be optimally productive, whilst also keeping an eye on the cost of a dewatering solution, mines need to not only constantly monitor the

water level but also need a solution that can be rapidly deployed, stored on site and be as cost effective as possible,” says MRS Director Franscois Steenkamp. The MRS Mobile Pump -set was designed after consultation and a needs analysis with the client, selecting the most appropriate pumps, sealing equipment and trailer configuration for his specific needs. “Mine dewatering, or groundwater control, as the name suggests is a tough job executed in harsh environments,” says Steenkamp. “Often excavations may flood as a result of groundwater inflows from water-bearing layers of soil or rocks and with so much at stake our clients cannot afford to have profits washed away. Taking the conditions into consideration, the MRS

Mobile Pump-set was designed using a heavy-duty double axle incorporating agricultural wheels which significantly reduces the risk of power hop- ping and soil compaction. “We first had to design and build a solid base able to transport the critical pump- ing equipment needed in and around the excavation. Once we were satisfied with the foundation, an industry lead- ing KSB ETA 250/50 cast iron standard construction cen- trifugal pump, fitted with a

The locally designed and manufactured MRS Mobile Pump-set.

Caterpillar prepares to ship battery electric LHD The Underground Mining group within Caterpillar Inc is preparing to ship a proof- of-concept battery electric LHD to a mine site located in Canada. The initial build and validation testing of this R1300G test unit began in early 2017 at the Caterpillar Peoria Proving Grounds and will continue through

the fourth quarter and into 2018 moving muck in a Canadian mine. The test machine is a proof of concept for packaging and performance of a lithi- um-based energy storage solution Cater­ pillar plans to bring to the LHD market. The Cat® R1300G proof of concept does

not represent a final de- sign that will go to market. After testing, Caterpillar will launch a full-fledged new product introduction programme that follows a more in-depth, rigorous design and validation pro- cess. “Our customers are planning for deeper mines

The Cat® R1300G proof-of-concept machine.

52  MODERN MINING  October 2017