MINE SAFETY
The smartsense Single Gas Monitor SSSG-100 has been manufactured for everyday safety , according to Becker
Varis ( a Becker Mining Systems subsidiary ).
Previous iterations of smartsense have provided many “ preventative ” benefits to miners , according to Bower , but the solution can also boost productivity .
“ We carried out a project earlier in 2017 where we assisted the client with their mine development ,” he said . “ They ended up finishing months ahead of their schedule due to the fact that they were able to provide proof that the working sections were clear of any hazardous gases , post blast .”
Bower , in describing the differences between the SSSG-100 and other gas monitoring systems on the market , said : “ Other gas monitors are either a single gas version requiring complicated system components and interconnectivity and calibration processes , or a cumbersome multi-gas version . The SSSG-100 has mitigated all those issues by allowing the client an easy upgrade path and the potential to configure the unit to their specification on the fly .”
Some of the unique elements of the SSSG-100 include calibration caps with an automatic calibration process ; no requirements for tuning ports to set the 4-20 mA output ; and backwards compatibility with all Becker and third-party installations .
Bower concluded on the SSSG-100 and Becker Varis more widely : “ We continue to grow as a turnkey provider and this is the next step to offering an all-in-one solution .”
Li-IonFire
With electric and hybrid vehicles becoming more commonplace across the industry – especially in underground mines – the need to provide suitable fire protection for this equipment is increasing .
Dafo Vehicle Fire Protection has helped build such a system for operations using electric or hybrid vehicles as part of an EU-funded program .
In partnership with RISE Research Institutes of Sweden , Dafo explored different techniques to detect potential battery failure as early as possible , and take immediate action to stop or delay a potentially hazardous situation .
The partners studied the various fire risks
related to batteries , including specific risks when charging , and procedures for handling electric vehicles and batteries after a crash . They also investigated to what extent fixed and integrated fire suppression systems – which are widely used to protect combustion engine compartments on heavy vehicles – can be applied to vehicles powered by lithium-ion batteries , and how they should be designed . “ With the rapid introduction of electric and hybrid-electric vehicles in public transport , there are new challenges because they present totally different risk scenarios ,” Anders Gulliksson of Dafo Vehicle , Coordinator of the EU-funded Li-IonFire ( Automated e- vehicle Lithium Ion Battery Early Warning and Fire Suppression System ) project , said . Through extensive testing , the Li-IonFire team better understood how a breakdown occurs within the battery and how it can be detected , with the tests also showing that even a late deployment of the fire suppression system could delay the battery reaching a critical state , Gulliksson explained .
With proper detection and system activation , the hazardous scenario can be reversed and potentially stopped entirely , according to Dafo . The project team has , it says , successfully validated and demonstrated a highly innovative fire protection system for electric and hybridelectric vehicles as part of the program . The new system provides an early fire warning system , and spot cooling to prevent thermal runaway while localising and suppressing the fire , it added .
The system was officially unveiled in 2019 and has generated interest from both end users and vehicle manufacturers , according to Dafo , which confirmed the system is now commercially available .
“ Li-IonFire delivers to the market a product that
didn ’ t exist until now ; a system that can offer real protection against battery fires , using a new suppression agent , Forrex EV™ , which is specifically developed for these applications ,” Gulliksson concluded .
More Barriers
Dropsafe says it has made the call to expand its Barrier modular system range to meet industry demand for robust dropped object incident prevention solutions across all environments .
Industries in all regions share similar dropped object risk factors , the company says , such as dynamic environments , moving equipment , vibration , corrosion and volatile materials and many personnel working across multiple levels . However , operating environments can vary considerably , placing differing demands on the safety and dropped object prevention systems deployed .
“ Dropsafe has responded to industry needs by broadening its Barrier range to provide the most robust and cost-effective solutions for any operating environment ,” it said .
The Dropsafe Barrier XE ( Extreme Environment ) is rated for harsh off-shore conditions , very high levels of UV radiation exposure and extreme cold weather , according to the company . As a result , the Barrier XE is ideally suited to mining and industrial sites in northern latitudes like Russia , Alaska or Canada , the company said .
The Dropsafe Barrier ME ( Moderate Environment ) can withstand the same impacts and wind loading as the XE , but is tailored for temperate off-shore and on-shore environments where high levels of UV and temperatures below - 5 ° C are not a factor . This includes power stations , refineries , mines and off-shore rigs outside of extreme cold regions , the company said .
The two Barrier variants both provide superior standards of dropped object prevention , with extra flexibility to withstand Category 3 or Category 5 wind speeds depending on the option chosen during the installation process , Dropsafe said .
Dropsafe has expanded its Barrier modular system range to meet industry demand for robust dropped object incident prevention solutions across all environments
International Mining | OCTOBER 2020