Recent test have indicated that the patented Sandvik Compressor Management System (CMS) has reduced fuel consumption by 20-35% as well as extend the life of the engine and compressor and lower emissions. The CMS can be installed on existing Sandvik rotary drills and was recently put to the test as Sandvik Mining teamed up with the coal producer, Cloud Peak Energy.

The Sandvik CMS provides a solution to the inherent inefficiencies of rotary blasthole drills that have a direct connection between the engine and compressor. The system isolates the compressor and eliminates the need to maintain pressure when the machine is not drilling. This reduces the load on the engine, saving a significant amount of fuel and reducing wear and tear.

Cloud Peak Energy chose to have the Sandvik CMS retrofitted onto a 14-year-old rotary drill at its Cordero Rojo coal mine located in Gillette, Wyoming. Once the system was installed and calibrated, Sandvik engineers used the machine’s Engine Control Module (ECM) data as a reference point.

For a five week test, there was a reduction of 26.2% of fuel consumption, translating to significant savings of approximately $108,000 and more than 300 t of carbon emissions annually on fuel alone. Additional savings are expected from increasing the engine life.

Mark Gilbertson, Director of Asset Management for Cloud Peak Energy said “As part of our environmental stewardship program we work to reduce fuel use and emissions. The CMS will save us thousands of gallons of fuel every year.”

Cloud Peak Energy purchased two new Sandvik drill rigs for 2013 with Sandvik CMS installed.

“With this customer trial, we wanted to prove that the CMS could consistently produce significant savings for our customers,” said Ken Stapylton, Vice President for Rotary and HP DTH Drilling, Sandvik Mining. “We will continue to collaborate with customers to ensure we are bringing industry-leading products to market that make mining operations safer, cleaner and more efficient.”