THE QUEENSLAND Mines Inspectorate has reviewed a safety warning relating to Specialised Mining Vehicles’ Driftrunner engine intake flame traps, now claiming the issue is no longer isolated to the one manufacturer or type of vehicle.
The authority previously said the Driftrunner’s engine intake flame trap did not comply with Australian Standards tolerances for open joint flame paths.
A Mines Inspectorate investigation has since found that the same flame trap components are used by other underground equipment manufacturers supplying diesel machines to Queensland underground coal mines.
SMV, in consultation with the Mines Inspectorate, has developed a strategy to address the issue of AS3584.2:2008 ‘Diesel engine systems for underground coal mines’ recertification. As this recertification process may take in excess of a month, an interim measure has been devised and was proof tested by SMV in the presence of the inspectorate on 29 July 2009.
Hydrostatic tests were conducted on the Driftrunner and Juganaut air intake flame trap and flame trap housing. 1000kpa was applied for a period of 5 minutes with no loss of pressure and this test was repeated with the same result. The test showed the integrity of the flame test housing gasket. It remained intact between the flame trap and flame trap housing, thus denying a path along which a flame could propagate. These results have been accepted by the Chief Inspector of Coal Mines as an interim measure until the system can be tested for recertification by the approved testing authority.
The process used to achieve these results in a field application will be supplied by SMV and is applicable to SMV vehicles only.
Mine operators are advised to contact their diesel equipment original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and discuss what process they plan to adopt for recertification of the intake system of their underground diesel plant. OEMs are advised that any interim process prior to recertification must meet with the Chief Inspector’s approval before any field rectification work can commence.
The Mines Inspectorate understands the gravity of this situation and the impact on underground coal mines with restricted diesel machine availability. The obligation remains to ensure the risk to persons from coal mining operations is at an acceptable level, and this requires that operators, suppliers, site senior executives and others take reasonable precautions and exercise proper diligence.
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