• CRADLE TO GRAVE
BUSH COOLER SAVES MINES COSTLY DOWNTIME mines could conduct the bush cooling process cost effectively and safely on site . This process traditionally makes use of liquid nitrogen – a hazardous chemical – or dry ice , which must be purchased specifically for each use , and transported to site on often significant lead times . In contrast , the Bush Cooler can be quickly put to use as often as it is needed . When purchased outright , it is estimated that the cost of the solution will be recouped in its first usage .
According to Grant Miller , executive director at the company , the Bush Cooler can be trailer or skid mounted , and can even be fitted down a shaft for underground use . This innovation could also be used by manufacturers of crushers when fitting bushes to new equipment .
Booyco Engineering
In its trailer mounted configuration , the Booyco Bush Cooler has a total mass of about 1 300kg and can be towed by a light utility vehicle .
Replacing large non-ferrous alloy bushes in mining equipment like cone crushers can be time consuming and expensive , but Booyco Engineering ’ s Bush Cooler provides an innovative solution to this challenge , and can be purchased or rented under certain conditions .
Specialists in custom engineered industrial HVAC systems , Booyco Engineering developed the mobile Booyco Bush Cooler so that
“ Our dual stage cooling technology will cool the bush in the Bush Cooler ’ s chiller to -40 ° C in just six hours , even in ambient temperatures as high as 40 ° C ,” says Miller . “ This provides a much safer , more convenient and cost-effective process than the conventional use of liquid nitrogen or dry ice , especially since our solution obviates the need for consumable expenditure every time .”
With a chiller area measuring 1.2m in each direction , users can cool large bushes measuring up to 1min length and 1min diameter , with a wall thickness of 20-30mm . The bush is lowered into the cooling box through a hatch , which is then closed for the cooling phase .
In its trailer mounted configuration , the Bush Cooler has a total mass of about 1 300kg and can be towed by a light utility vehicle . The trailer is fitted with a jockey wheel to facilitate
40 • African Mining • July 2023 www . africanmining . co . za