ACARP ACARP ACARP ACARP
Open Cut

Dragline Rigging and Control System for Universal Dig & Dump

Open Cut » Overburden Removal

Published: March 00Project Number: C9039

Get ReportAuthor: Jeff Rowlands | CMTE

This report presents the results from the fast track version of the original ACARP project submission "Dragline Rigging and Control System for Universal Dig and Dump". The project was designed to investigate and quantify productivity data and machine loads, to assist in the assessment and retrofit design of a production dragline with the new operating system.

The "Universal" rigging and control system eliminates over two thirds of conventional dragline rigging. The bucket's carry angle is altered in the new system by attaching the hoist ropes, one to the front of the bucket and one to the rear, and differentially shortening one with respect to the other. The key to the system is the automatic control of the bucket's carry angle at any position and in any operational mode.

The Universal system was installed, fine tuned and tested on the CMTE 1/10th scale dragline, located at the University of Queensland. This fully operational dragline was instrumented with advanced data acquisition and control systems to allow the comparison between Universal and Conventional setups. Results from the 1/10th scale tests were analysed using a 1:250 scale dragline and sandpit to determine the overall changes in productivity for entire dragline excavation scenarios.

The results from these tests have shown that the increases in dragline productivity using the Universal system instead of Conventional rigging range from 18 % for a chop pass, to over 29 % for a conventional high wall pass. These values are based purely on the increased payload and decreased drag times exhibited by the Universal system.

The Universal hardware and software systems have proven their reliability on the 1/10th scale machine and are ready for prototype development. Data on dynamic and static machine loads have been gathered and can now be applied to full-scale retrofit design.

The tests have shown that there are definite changes in operational techniques required to maximise the performance of the Universal system. The training requirements to teach these new skills will require careful consideration, however the magnitude of the changes is small.

Several spin-off benefits of the Universal system have been identified and measured where possible. These include :

  1. Large reduction in number of rigging components required with the associated capital (approx. A$ 350,000 per year), and installation costs.
  2. Elimination of the lost time due to inspection and repairs on the rigging components in (1.) (between 0.5 % and 1.8 % of annual dig hours).
  3. Increase in available dumping height (approximately 5 m).
  4. Increase in chopping reach (approximately 3.3 m).
  5. Ability to dump material up to 40 m inside boom point. This will allow bench and bridge preparation to be far more efficient.
  6. Ability to limit the transient loads on the dragline by semi-automatic control of the operation.

It is recommended that further applied research and testing be undertaken to continue to improve the Universal system's performance using the CMTE 1/10th scale machine, and that the existing CMTE training facility be augmented to include training programs for dragline operators, engineers, supervisors and maintenance personnel, in all aspects of the new system.

Underground

Health and safety, productivity and environment initiatives.

Recently Completed Projects

C34007Evaluating Toxicity Of Different Types Of Respirable Crystalline Silica Particles To Lung Cells And Tissues

Silica dust represents one of the most significant occupational haza...

C29010In-Situ Stress Measurement Using Non-Destructive Techniques (Ndts)

Rock in depth is subjected to stresses due to overlaying burden and ...

C33029Review Longwall Face Ventilation To Mitigate Goaf Gas Emissions Onto Walkways And Tailgate End

As longwall mining increasingly targets deeper coal seams, managing ...

Underground

Open Cut

Safety, productivity and the right to operate are priorities for open cut mine research.

Recently Completed Projects

C35029Renewable Energy As Post-Mining Land Use

In 2020, the Queensland Resources Council (QRC), in partnership with...

C33036Radar Tyre Monitor System

This project focussed on trialling a radar sensing technology design...

C26020Preventing Fatigue Cracking Via Proactive Surface Dressing

Fatigue cracking of plant and equipment presents a significant chall...

Open Cut

Coal Preparation

Maximising throughput and yield while minimising costs and emissions.

Recently Completed Projects

C28061Quantitative Based Structural Integrity Evaluations Using Modal Parameters Estimation

This project focused on the development and implementation of a quan...

C34039Development Of A Soft Sensor For Predicting Dense Medium Cyclones Performance

This project details the development of a DMC soft sensor for modell...

C34041A Coal Spiral For The 2020S

The objective of this project is to develop an enhanced coal process...

Coal Preparation

Technical Market Support

Market acceptance and emphasising the advantages of Australian coals.

Recently Completed Projects

C35039Impact Of Coal Grain Composition And Macerals Association On Fluidity Development In Australian Coals

The coke quality prediction models use thermoplastic terms as key ex...

C36004Physical And Chemical Structure Characterisation Of Biomass For Biocoke Production

Partial substitution of coking coal with renewable biomass is identi...

C35037Examination Of Contraction Pre And Post Resolidification Using A High Temperature Dilatation Rig

This project examined the contraction of coking coal samples, both p...

Technical Market Support

Mine Site Greenhouse Gas Mitigation

Mitigating greenhouse gas emissions from the production of coal.

Recently Completed Projects

C34066Safe Operation Of Catalytic Reactors For The Oxidation Of VAM Operating Under Abnormal Reaction Conditions

The catalyst Pd/TS-1 has shown excellent activity in oxidising venti...

C28076Selective Absorption Of Methane By Ionic Liquids (SAMIL)

This third and final stage of this project was the culmination of a ...

C29069Low-Cost Catalyst Materials For Effective VAM Catalytic Oxidation

Application of ventilation air methane (VAM) thermal oxidiser requir...

Mine Site Greenhouse Gas Mitigation

Low Emission Coal Use

Step-change technologies aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Recently Completed Projects

C17060BGasification Of Australian Coals

Four Australian coals were trialled in the Siemens 5 MWth pilot scale ga...

C17060AOxyfuel Technology For Carbon Capture And Storage Critical Clean Coal Technology - Interim Support

The status of oxy-fuel technology for first-generation plant is indicate...

C18007Review Of Underground Coal Gasification

This report consists of a broad review of underground coal gasification,...

Low Emission Coal Use

Mining And The Community

The relationship between mines and the local community.

Recently Completed Projects

C16027Assessing Housing And Labour Market Impacts Of Mining Developments In Bowen Basin Communities

The focus of this ACARP-funded project has been to identify a number...

C22029Understanding And Managing Cumulative Impacts Of Coal Mining And Other Land Uses In Regions With Diversified Economies

The coal industry operates in the context of competing land-uses that sh...

C23016Approval And Planning Assessment Of Black Coal Mines In NSW And Qld: A Review Of Economic Assessment Techniques

This reports on issues surrounding economic assessment and analysis ...

Mining And The Community

NERDDC

National Energy Research,Development & Demonstration Council (NERDDC) reports - pre 1992.

Recently Completed Projects

1609-C1609Self Heating of Spoil Piles from Open Cut Coal Mines

Self Heating of Spoil Piles from Open Cut Coal Mines

1301-C1301Stress Control Methods for Optimised Development...

Stress Control Methods for Optimised Development and Extraction Operations

0033-C1356Commissioned Report: Australian Thermal Coals...

Commissioned Report: Australian Thermal Coals - An Industry Handbook

NERDDC