Tag Archives: Dräger

PAUS and Dräger advance mine rescue operations with new MR Fire Truck

Environmental, Mining equipment, Mining safety, Mining services, , , , , ,

Dräger and PAUS have released their latest mobile mine rescue equipment solution, leveraging the expertise of Rosenbauer as one of the world’s leading manufacturer of systems for firefighting and disaster protection.

The MR Fire Truck builds on the MRV 9000 Mine Rescue Vehicle, which was previously developed by PAUS and Dräger. This was designed to deliver rescue units safely, reliably and as close as possible to the emergency site. The base is the two-axle PAUS MinCa 18A vehicle, which has been tested at mine operations over several years, alongside Dräger’s life support systems.

The superstructure of the new MR Fire Truck can be customised and equipped with all kind of firefighting, technical rescue and first aid equipment, according to PAUS.

“The MR Fire Truck is again providing a breathing-protected driver’s cabin and allows to carry the team and heavy equipment through contaminated tunnel sections,” PAUS said. “Compared to the common practice of mine rescue teams to walk through contaminated areas by wearing respirators and carrying smaller equipment with the mobile solution type, the MR Fire Truck allows you to now expand the limitation of use for more efficient prevention of hazards for the protection of persons and material assets underground (preventive and operational).”

Dräger launches BG ProAir for enhanced performance during mine rescue missions

Environmental, Mining equipment, Mining safety, , , , ,

Dräger has launched the Dräger BG ProAir, a closed-circuit breathing apparatus with innovative features to protect emergency responders during longer deployments typical in tunnelling and mining rescue operations.

The BG ProAir’s positive pressure breathing closed circuit prevents toxic substances from entering the breathing system, according to the company. Both inhalation and exhalation are optimised by cooling and enriching the air with oxygen before inhaling, and CO2 being absorbed when exhaling. An even distribution of the breathing apparatus’ weight enhances comfort and ergonomics, especially important during extended missions, Dräger added.

Oxygen is supplied according to the wearer’s personal workload, allowing more than four hours duration at low breathing rates, while the new cooling concept also makes breathing easier and more natural, according to the company. This allows the emergency responder to manage the incident at a lower work rate.

“It is further enhanced by smart on-board electronics, which include a low-pressure sensor,” the company said. “The integrated low-pressure sensor warns when there is a lack of oxygen to ensure safe breathing. The sensor also provides a low-pressure leak test of the breathing system.”

The BG ProAir’s housing features highly visible reflectors and a buddy light system that alerts other emergency responders to their team members’ vital information, such as cylinder pressure and operating time.

With a high contrast, full-colour display, user data is visible even in the most difficult environments such as darkness, bright sunlight or smoke, the company claims. An integrated Bluetooth® module provides a short-range connection to work with external devices such as gas detectors as well as a PC connection to download data and perform configuration.

The BG ProAir’s integrated data telemetry and RFID assists the user in multiple scenarios such as entry control management and absorber status tracking. In addition to time calculations such as time to whistle, Dräger has also integrated recognised features such as PASS, ADSU and temperature readings.

“With a fully sealed housing, the BG ProAir has been approved to the highest standards for heat, flame and chemical resistance,” Dräger says. “For additional safety, it also comes with an optional buddy system, which enables the user to safely share oxygen with those in need during rescue situations.”

Liz Millward, Marketing Manager at Dräger Safety UK, says the BG ProAir is the culmination of proven manufacturing and design experience.

“Dräger’s BG ProAir is evidence of our commitment to continual improvement,” she said. “It delivers new functionality that has the potential to save lives and will improve wearer comfort, especially important when attending the most challenging, longer-duration incidents where heat, high-humidity, tight spaces and poor visibility are typical.”

Millward adds that Dräger’s breathing apparatus history is cemented in the mining rescue industry: “In 1906, there was a massive explosion in a coal mine in France. Bernhard Dräger attended the incident and brought with him a Dräger breathing apparatus he had developed two years earlier. Its continued use gave rise to the ‘Drägerman’ – a group of extraordinary men and women all across the world who have volunteered to be trained in mine rescue.”

PAUS to showcase new scaler, concrete mixer and dump truck at Bauma

Automation, Mining equipment, Mining events, , , , , , , , , , , ,

After already showcasing its battery-electric vehicle and corresponding electric driveline concept at Bauma 2019, PAUS is intending to bring even more new developments to the 2022 edition later this year.

The machines to be showcased at Bauma 2022, from October 24-30 in Munich, Germany, include the PAUS Scaler PScale 8-T (pictured), the PAUS concrete mixer UNI 50-5 BM-TM and the PAUS dump truck PMKM 8030.

In addition to the brand new designs and individual characteristics of the displayed machines, all of them will be featured with the latest technologies as part of PAUS’ general and forward-looking product developments.

Safety, performance, sensitivity and high durability are the design principles and values PAUS used for the development of its new PAUS Scaler PScale 8-T generation in order to provide what it says is a “unique scaling experience”.

“In underground operations rock falls could potentially lead to fatalities, injuries and damage to underground personnel and infrastructure,” the company said. “To prevent from and to ensure a higher safety working environment, any loose rock needs to be removed before the follow-up processes can be started.”

The highest performance possible is ensured thanks to the use of a high power output engine, 20° tiltable cabin, individual parameter adjustment of the hydraulic hammer, operation and diagnostic display, which provide higher reliability and quality of the scaling process.

The PScale series allows operators to adjust and check hammer parameters directly at the face instead of adjustments on the surface, while the operator’s cabin outperforms international ROPS/FOPS requirements. Other risks can be further alleviated by using additional configurations, such as plug-and-play for the remote control, 3P safety belts, a brake test button, hill start assistance and a pressurised cabin.

For working heights up to 10 m, Paus additionally offers the PScale 10-T.

The PAUS concrete mixer UNI 50 BM-TM offers a transport solution with a higher payload as well as safe and comfortable driving characteristics, even on rough terrain, PAUS says.

The larger UNI 50-5 carrier, which highlights the new chassis of the UNI series, comes with a payload of up to 17 t, increased ground clearance, a more powerful driveline and a spring-mounted fully suspended front axle, according to the company.

With an available volume of up to 7.5 cu.m, the PAUS transport mixer is a reliable partner for successful concrete works in underground mining, it says.

The UNI 50-5 carrier can also be provided with further superstructure such as the fuel tanks, lubricant service, water tanker, fire tanker, loading platform with crane and many more. Further to that, PAUS is offering a variety of customised configurations and options to meet the individual requirements of the different underground operations and conditions. The carrier can also be equipped with different types of changeable systems for carrying cassette mounted superstructures.

PAUS delivers the UNI 50-5 BM-TM with an engine power of up to 173 kW with Deutz or Mercedes Benz engines. The machine can also be fitted with optional Stage V compliant engines.

The PAUS dump truck PMKM 8030, meanwhile, is designed for narrow-vein operations, with a compact yet powerful configuration.

The combination of the improved design and characteristics with the latest electronics and a preliminary setup for smart equipment will provide a future-oriented solution in terms of operator comfort and safety, but also efficiency, productivity and operating cost for haulage in narrow-vein mines.

The well-established sister machine, PMKM 8010, is designed with less width at increased length and height, but the new PMKM 8030 comes with a broader, shorter and narrow design at a reduced loading height and with improved driving characteristics thanks to the lowered centre of gravity, larger tyres and new axles with integrated oscillation, PAUS says.

With a payload of 16,000 kg, the machine is fitted as standard with a 8 cu.m dump box and can be further customised for transport of bulk materials with higher or lower densities.

The machine is also available with smart systems like a bird’s eye view camera, tyre pressure control and load weighing, all of which can be wireless monitored and displayed via PAUS CONNECT.

The PMKM 8030 comes with a rotating driver’s seat for long distances of driving backward at high speeds (bidirectional) and a spacious and comfortable cab.

It also comes with a choice of different Cummins and Caterpillar diesel engines complying with varying regulations and power of up to 190 kW.

The machine also includes the PAUS standard safety package for underground mining machines eg SAHR brakes, a ROPS/FOPS cabin, enhanced LED lighting, etc.

PAUS concluded: “The multifaceted portfolio, the variety of options and the customised features available along with our machines will provide the basis for almost every task – it doesn’t matter how individual the solution needs to be.”

PAUS says it is already working on new solutions like a special mine rescue vehicle – currently being developed in cooperation with Dräger and a major European supplier for firefighting equipment. In addition to that the “Scale Sense” project of the Germany-based RWTH Aachen University – for the detection of loose rock to use with PAUS scalers – is close to reaching the next development stage for extended field testing.

Dräger and PAUS breathe new life into mine rescue market

Environmental, Mining equipment, Mining safety, Mining services, , , , , , , , , ,

Dräger, Goldcorp (now Newmont), and PAUS Maschinenfabrik GmbH have come up with a new mine safety solution that, they say, is bringing rescue units safely, reliably, and as close as possible to emergency sites underground.

As underground mines go deeper in search of reserves, the distance mine rescue teams must travel in case of an emergency continues to increase.

In many emergency situations underground, only ventilation and drainage systems remain operational as mines look to avoid further incidents. All other infrastructure (the power supply, operation of technical and general vehicle traffic, etc) are shut down.

In this situation, mine rescue teams are forced to walk to the scene with all their equipment. Injured personnel are brought to collection points where first aid is provided, while evacuation to the surface must be organised.

“Depending on the specific situation and the extent of the emergency, the rescue services must immediately switch on their own breathing equipment after descending into the shaft and walking to the emergency site,” PAUS says. “In doing so, they consume part of the volume of the breathing mixture (compressed oxygen) contained in the breathing equipment. As a result, the longer they travel to the emergency scene with their breathing equipment switched on, the less breathing mixture – and, thus, working time reserves – remains for solving the main tasks, for clarifying the location and possible causes of the emergency, for searching for injured persons and for bringing the victims from the danger zone to the exits of the mine for evacuation.”

PAUS says a significant improvement of the operational conditions and increase in the work productivity of the rescue teams has come about with the cooperation of specialists from Dräger and Goldcorp, together with PAUS. The MRV 9000 Mine Rescue Vehicle is the result, a unit developed to deliver the rescue units safely, reliably and as close as possible to the emergency site.

The high operational reliability of the MRV 9000 in underground mines is ensured by the robust construction of the basic vehicle (from PAUS’ MinCa 18A series) and the life support system of Dräger, which is engineered down to the smallest detail, the companies say.

Design and technical features of the MRV 9000

The base of the MRV 9000 is the two-axle PAUS MinCa 18A vehicle which has been tested at mine operations over several years.

In its standard version, the MRV 9000 mine rescue vehicle is fitted with a Deutz TCD 2012 Stage 3a (Stage 5 available) diesel engine with a power of 95 kW, water cooling and exhaust gas turbocharging. Able to consume various fuel qualities, the MRV 9000’s exhaust gases are cleaned with a powerful filter.

The engine’s control system reduces machine downtime, according to PAUS. For example, in a situation where low lube oil pressure or overheating of the coolant is detected, the engine’s power will, first, reduce and then, second, completely stop to protect the unit. The real-time engine status is displayed to the driver on the large dashboard display.

The MRV 9000 is equipped with a customisable fire extinguishing system and, in each of its designs, if the engine compartment catches fire, the engine automatically stops operating and the extinguishing medium, such as foam, water spray or powder, is automatically or manually injected into the engine compartment. Hand-held fire extinguishers with around 10 kg of extinguishing medium are within easy reach, according to PAUS.

The hydrostatic four-wheel drive of the MRV 9000 provides high tractive power via planetary gears and the suspension provides excellent road grip when driving on rough and bumpy roads, according to PAUS. Optimum handling and fuel consumption are maintained at speeds of up to 35 km/h; even on ascending or descending gradients with up to 40%.

The design of the independent suspension of the front axle (steering axle) Clark 212 and the rear axle Clark 112 is identical, PAUS says. It consists of two springs and two shock absorbers each, two steering rods and two triangular bars each with a tie rod lever attached to the vehicle frame. The maximum load capacity of an axle is 8 t, which ensures excellent stability of the vehicle frame with a permissible total weight of the MRV 9000 of 11 t, PAUS explains. For the wheels of the vehicle off-road tyres of 9.00-R20 size with a load capacity of 4 t each are used.

The two-door driver’s cab with an additional seat is separated from the rescue cassette. The rescue cassette has six seats, a left-hand access door and an additional rear door. All eight seats, equipped with safety belts, are dimensioned so mine rescuers equipped with a tool kit and breathing equipment on their back – eg Dräger PSS BG4 Plus – can sit. The driver’s cab and the cassette of the MRV 9000 are pressurised and are equipped with built-in safety systems in compliance with ROPS and FOPS standards, which protect the driver and the other passengers of the vehicle against injuries, vehicle roll-over or heavy falling objects. In addition, a hatch is installed in the middle of the body roof as an additional emergency exit for the mine rescuers. All doors of the vehicle are airtight and sufficiently wide for easy and safe entry and departure of the mine rescuers with full equipment. In addition, the driver’s cab is equipped with a hydraulic tipping device. This makes it easy to carry out technical maintenance or repairs with the help of the raised cabin, according to PAUS.

The steering system of the vehicle is equipped with a Danfoss steering booster. In the case of a malfunction, the vehicle can still be steered using an emergency steering mechanism.

The brake system of the MRV 9000 is a hydraulic dual-circuit system. By pressing the brake pedal, all multi-disc oil brakes on the wheels are activated. The hydrostatic drive is at the same time an additional working brake for the vehicle – when the driver takes their foot off the accelerator, the vehicle automatically brakes. This is especially effective when driving downhill. The parking brake of the Posistop system – an SAHR brake – acts on the rear wheels of the vehicle.

The vehicle’s electrical system works with direct current and a voltage of 24 V, supplied by two 12 V batteries with a capacity of 110 Ah each and an A/C generator (80 A) with a voltage of 28 V. The main switch (cutoff switch) for the electrical circuits, emergency parking and reverse gear of the vehicle is in the driver’s cab. In the engine compartment, above the driving level, there are switch boxes with relays and the fuses for the electric circuits, all of which are protected from moisture and dirt in insulated enclosures, but easily accessible for maintenance. All indicators of the status of the vehicle’s power units have LED lighting, while the vehicle is equipped with powerful front headlights and bright rear lights with flashing direction indicators.

The unit comes with a width of 2.2 m, height of 2.64 m, length of 6.15 m, a wheelbase of 3.26 m and ground clearance of 260 mm. It also has a turning radius of 3.7 m (inner) and 7 m (outer).

Design and technical features of the life support system

The MRV 9000 is equipped with an integrated life support system to allow mine rescuers to safely reach the emergency site and evacuate injured personnel. Filtered air is injected into the driver’s cab and rescue cassette for breathing during the entire journey.

“The technical basis for the reliable functioning of the integrated system was provided by the specialists of the PAUS company, who developed the airtight construction elements of the driver’s cabin, cassette, all welds of the wall elements, the roof, the anti-slip floors and the special sealing of all doors and hatches,” it said. “The technological basis and structure of the filling system, developed and installed by the specialists of the Dräger company, includes the following elements: compartments for storage of the cylinders with the oxygen-air mixture for breathing; panels for controlling the supply of the air mixture; safety valves that drain the air from the driver’s cab and the cassette and prevent the ingress of contaminated mine air; gas detectors that control the condition of the air and signal the exceedance of the permissible limits of the concentration of hazardous gases in the driver’s cab and the cassette.”

The life support system can operate in two modes: Cleaning the air and feeding the air mixture into the cassette and into the driver’s cab; and flushing the cassette and the driver’s cab to displace infiltrated contaminated mine air.

In the cleaning mode, used during much of the rescue operation, the air mixture from the cylinders is continuously fed through pipes into the operator’s cab and the cassette via flow regulators. These regulate the amount of air supply, which depends on the number of pit rescuers in the cab and cassette. According to the standard, approximately 40 litres/min per person must be supplied to remove carbon dioxide or dangerous gas mixtures exhaled via the safety valves, with used oxygen returned to the atmosphere.

The combination of the system components enables the constant maintenance of an overpressure of at least 100 Pa in the driver’s cab and in the cassette, as well as the reliable prevention of the penetration of dangerous methane. The quality control of the air (the concentration of О2, СО2, СО) and the humidity in the driver’s cab and the cassette of the MRV 9000 is carried out with Dräger’s multi-channel gas detectors from the X-am series (4). After the mine rescue team leaves the vehicle, the composition and air supply are adjusted to the minimum permissible value with the help of the control elements, PAUS explains.

Yet, because contaminated mine air still enters the driver’s cab and the cassette through the door openings after the mine rescuers have left the vehicle, the flushing mode with air supply up to 1,000 litres/min is switched on to displace it via valves. When the gas measuring devices register the normal defined quality of the air, the mine rescuers and the victims to be evacuated can switch off their respirators.

The reserve of the breathing mixture, compressed to 300 bar and stored in six cylinders with a capacity of 50 litres each, is stored in two chambers with three cylinders each. This block with three cylinders is connected to the control units in the driver’s cabin and in the rescue cassette by a reducing valve, which cuts the pressure of the mixture, and stainless steel pipes. The results of the continuous measurement of the actual pressure and air volume in the cylinder block are registered on a special monitor in the driver’s cab.

With this information, it is possible to determine exactly the timeframe of operation of the unit of mine rescuers arriving in the mine for the elimination of the emergency. The block of three cylinders is installed in such a way there is no possibility to separate it from the reducing valve in the storage chamber, while refilling is possible with the use of an optionally available refuelling unit.

The set of six air cylinders with a capacity of 50 litres each is adequate for:

  • Moving a unit of six mine rescuers (two in the driver’s cab, four in the cassette) to the emergency location within 60 minutes;
  • Performing work in the emergency zone by five mine rescuers (one member of the unit remains in the driver’s cab) for 120 minutes; and
  • The return of the unit of mine rescuers with six people (together with three injured personnel) within 60 minutes.

With such a capacity in six cylinders, it is permissible to switch on the purging mode as follows:

  • In the driver’s cab, three times for a period of three minutes each time; and
  • In the cassette, three times for a period of eight minutes each time.

In this way, the mine rescue vehicle can allow the rescue team four hours of transportation in an atmosphere unsuitable for breathing.

The MRV 9000 mine rescue vehicle can optionally be equipped with a wide range of additional equipment, which includes around 20 different setups, Paus said.

“The use of the innovative MRV 9000 vehicle radically improves the working and operating conditions for the rescue units: both the minimisation of the travel time to the site of operation, the effectiveness of the medical emergency response, and the search and evacuation of victims and their transport to the stationary medical facility significantly increase the chances of rescue for accident victims,” PAUS said.