Coal Age Serving the Needs of the Coal Mining Industry
July 11, 2008
Directional Spool Valve
HAWE Hydraulics, a leading supplier of sophisticated controls to the mobile and industrial markets, offers its PSL proportional directional spool valve, ideal for constant delivery pump systems. Adhering to the load-sensing principle, these spool valves serve to control the direction of motion while delivering infinite speed control for hydraulic consumers regardless of load type and weight. With the option of a valve bank or manifold mounting design and several available actuation types, the PSL is well-suited for a wide array of mobile hydraulic applications. www.hawehydraulics.com
Majority of Americans Oppose Lieberman-Warner Proposal
During early June, as Democrats withdrew Lieberman-Warner America’s Climate Security Act, a new poll found that an overwhelming majority of Americans actually opposed the higher energy costs the bill would impose. The poll, conducted by the National Center for Public Policy Research, found 65% of Americans reject spending even a penny more for gasoline in an effort to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The number rejecting raising gas prices to combat global warming has increased by 17 percentage points—or 35%—in just over two months. The National Center conducted a similar survey in late February. An additional 13% oppose spending more than 5% more for gasoline to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Lieberman-Warner would increase petroleum prices by 5.9% by 2015, according to Duke University. Other studies indicate the plan would push prices higher. The survey found 71% of Americans reject spending more for electricity, with 16% opposing spending any more than 12% extra for electricity. A study commissioned by the American Council for Capital Formation and the National Association of Manufacturers estimated Lieberman-Warner would increase electricity prices by 13%-14% by 2014. Other studies estimated higher increases. When gasoline and electricity price increases are taken together, 90% of Americans reject the Lieberman-Warner plan’s costs—even the low range of projected costs.
"As incredible as it sounds that 90% of Americans reject the Lieberman-Warner plan’s costs, the actual number who reject it may be even higher. Electricity and gasoline price hikes are only two of the costs of this proposal," said David A. Ridenour, vice president of the National Center for Public Policy Research. "The price for food and consumer goods would also increase and many Americans would lose their jobs. You can’t merely accept energy price increases and opt out of all the other costs."
The poll was conducted by Wilson Research Strategies, which surveyed 802 likely voters. It included 37% registered Democrats, 30% Independents, and 29% Republicans. It has a margin of error of +3.46% at 95% confidence interval.
Vattenfall Plans to Build New Coal Power Station in Poland
Energy giant Vattenfall has announced plans to build a coal-fired power station of at least 1,600 mw that should come online within the next seven years, the Warsaw Business Journal reported. The location for the plant has not yet been revealed. "We are still considering several locations in various parts of Poland," said Torbjörn Wahlborg, Vattenfall president. Environmental activists were outraged by the plans to build the coal powered plant, but Tomasz Chmal, an energy expert from the Sobieski Institute, was optimistic about the plan. He noted that investments in energy are needed and there is no viable alternative to coal at the moment. Currently, Vattenfall has a 10% share in the energy distribution market and a 4% share in the energy production market, but the firm wants to build up its share in the latter to some 15% over the next five years.
The TA10 Big Red Series air winch has been designed for improved performance by incorporating a high capacity air motor into the unit which provides higher line pull capacity while maintaining faster line speeds. Performance ratings include first layer and full drum load capacities of 37,000 and 21,800 lb along with a maximum line speed of 34 fpm. Among its many design changes, the new series incorporates reversible band brake and disc brake assemblies and an innovative revolving cable anchor. The cable anchor accommodates wire rope diameters ranging from ¾ inch to 1 ¼ inch and facilitates winding of wire rope from either direction. www.thern.com
Equipment Hazard Alert for Parking Brakes on Scoops
The Mine Safety and Health Administration recently issued a report saying that the Automatic Emergency Parking Brake (AEPB) on some Bucyrus (formerly Long Airdox) 400 & 600 series scoops may not automatically reset when the hand pump is used to release the AEPBs when the scoop is off. This could be associated with a number of issues, including component wear, or deviations from the original hydraulic circuit design. In such cases the AEPBs will be reset only when the scoop is re-energized and one of the hydraulic functions is operated.
Automatic functioning of AEPBs is required under Title 30CFR 75.523-3(b)(1) and (2). To insure compliance and correct operation, any 400 & 600 series scoops originally manufactured according to Bucyrus hydraulic schematics No. 220534, L-410181X20 or L-012334X1 must be maintained in accordance with Bucyrus hydraulic schematics No. 220534, L-410181X20, Revision “E”, and L-12344X1, Revision “D.” These revised schematics incorporate special notes which describe the potential issues with the AEPBs, and define the part number and installation procedure for a valve which will operate at very low pilot pressures. The following inspection can determine if a scoop’s AEPBs are in compliance:
De-energize the scoop and block the wheels to prevent movement.
Check that the AEPB pressure gage reads zero indicating the AEPB is set.
Operate the hand pump to release the AEPB. The pressure gage will indicate pressure to show that the AEPB is released.
Energize the scoop and allow the pump motor to run, but do not operate any hydraulic controls or apply the AEPB.
To be in compliance, the pressure gage should drop to zero releasing the pressure, which indicates the AEPB is applied.
If the AEPB pressure gage does not drop to zero to engage the AEPB, the scoop’s brake system needs to be brought into compliance. Operate a hydraulic function to release the pressure and apply the AEPB.
Please contact a field representative for assistance in correcting the noncompliance. The potential malfunction of the AEPB, however, may not be limited to this manufacturer only. www.msha.gov
Fraser Creek Mining, based in Scott Depot, W.Va., has agreed to pay 678 coal miners about $200,000 in back pay for unpaid overtime over a period of nearly two years, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. The agency said Fraser Creek also poorly kept records on hours worked by office staff and erred in classifying four clerical workers as exempt administrative employees who were never paid overtime. The incorrectly calculated overtime pay by Fraser Creek extended from January 2006 through December 2007. The operation covers seven surface mines in West Virginia and Kentucky.
Cat Announces Options for Repairing Machine Control and Guidance Systems
Caterpillar offers new repair options to keep Cat machine control and guidance systems up and running and owning and operating costs down. Two economical solutions, repairing components or using remanufactured ones, provide customers the flexibility to choose the option that best suits their needs. Caterpillar remanufactured components are available off the shelf, warranted, and are about half the price of new. Cat Reman machine control and guidance components incorporate all critical engineering updates as they are factory-remanufactured using genuine Caterpillar parts. Each remanufactured component is tested extensively to ensure same-as-new performance, and each comes with a same-as-new, one-year warranty. For repairs, factory-trained technicians at the Cat Machine Control & Guidance Repair Center rely on test systems that replicate real-world applications for accurate diagnosis of each problem and equally accurate repair estimates. Components are repaired to Caterpillar quality standards and are tested rigorously to ensure they meet those standards. Each repaired component has a 90-day parts and labor warranty. www.cat.com
Real-Time, Mobile and Wireless Audio-Video Communication
Video conferencing is now widely used in the mining industry. Multinational companies use it to communicate with international branch offices, enabling them to work with their staff, clients, and suppliers in different countries, and to cut the hassles, risks, and costs of business travel. However, despite its benefits, video conferencing also presents many limitations for mining companies. The fix environment design philosophy does not fit well the needs of many departments who need a true “in-the field mobility,” such as exploration teams, geologists, project engineers, inspectors, mine managers, mechanics, etc. With Frontline Communicator, mobile team members can now have bi-directional communication with experts, managers, system engineers, or a group from a distance and transmit video/images—no matter their location or for how long. Frontline Communicator is a robust, hands-free, wireless, and lightweight bi-directional audio-video communication system. Connecting to almost all IP Broadband Networks, it offers reliable voice, data, video/images communications from virtually anywhere on the planet while providing maximum mobility to the team. www.audisoft.net
Indonesia Wants to Speed Up Power Plant Construction
Vice President Jusuf Kalla has renewed calls for state-owned power company PT Perusahaan Listrik Negara (PLN) to speed up construction of coal-fired power plants in a bid to swiftly resolve a power crisis plaguing Java. Kalla made the statement during a visit to the Suralaya coal-fired power plant in Cilegon, West Java. The 652-megawatt Suralaya project is scheduled for completion in 2010. However, since Java has frequently suffered power blackouts due to a lack of power capacity, the government has requested PLN wrap up several key power projects on the island before next year’s general election.
Strix Systems, a worldwide leader in high-performance wireless mesh networking, and Dotworkz Systems announced the availability of the highest performance, Integrated Wireless Video Surveillance System (IWVS)—the industry's only integrated wireless mesh network system specifically designed for optimal high-quality delivery of IP video surveillance over wireless/WiFi mesh networks in a single easy to deploy packaged design. Strix Systems patented high performance hardware and software are integrated into the Dotworkz D2 unique vandal-tough weatherized enclosures for IP-enabled Intelligent Pan-Tilt-Zoom (PTZ) cameras. The integration of Strix Access/One Edge capabilities give the IWVS the ability to achieve robust, continuous high throughput and low latency via Strix intelligent radio algorithms that dynamically adjust to the environment. Maximum power enables the greatest signal strength, receive sensitivity and optimal channel selection for the robust wireless connectivity and highest achievable throughput. www.strixsystems.com
