Quaker Chemical

FLUID supplier Quaker Chemical has chosen four of its products to display at the show, with its fluids for hydraulics and longwall applications taking center stage.

The first is its QUINTOLUBRIC 814 Series of longwall hydraulic fluid concentrates designed for longwall hydraulic systems.

When the correct quality of water is added to the product, a semi-synthetic micro-emulsion is formed. The fluid exceeds all OEM specifications for use in new longwall systems, according to the company, and the concentrates can be used at a 2-5% dilution depending on water quality and the product.

Its QUINTOLUBRIC 818 Series longwall hydraulic fluid concentrates will also be part of Quaker’s exhibition. Primarily used in longwall hydraulic systems at a typical dosage level of 2%, these concentrates will form a fully synthetic solution when added to water of the correct quality. Like the 814 series, the line exceeds all OEM specifications for use in new longwall systems and all have a tolerance for very severe waters.

The company’s fully synthetic assembly grease, Assembly Compound LW, is Quaker’s third solution being displayed at MINExpo. “When used to assemble components, it won’t leave insoluble residues in the hydraulic system like conventional greases,” said officials of the product, which can be used with both emulsion and soluble synthetic longwall fluids and concentrates.

Finally, its synthetic fire-resistant hydraulic fluid, QUINTOLUBRIC 888-68, which is both Factory Mutual and MSHA approved, will be on display. The polyol ester fluid serves as a replacement for mineral oil in all hydraulic systems, and is biodegradable.

Phoenix First Response

One of many companies introducing new products at MINExpo 2008, Phoenix First Response will have its Thermo-Gel fire suppression technology on display for the first time.

“The staff at Phoenix has been involved with nearly every major coal mine fire in the US and multiple events across the world in the last 30 years, and recognized that Thermo-Gel could answer gaps in timeliness, accessibility and effectiveness of mine fire response,” company representative Sarah Hussey Dagit said.

The technology has already been extensively used in the firefighting of wild land, which the company said is quite comparable to a mine fire application in its temperature and extensive fuel sources. Thermo-Gel has been designed to cling to any surface in a mine, smothering combustible material to extinguish – and even prevent – the spread of heat or a fire.

Other technologies in the sector, she noted, encapsulate air to form a foam or gel compound, while Thermo-Gel encapsulates water to create a blanket to penetrate and contain a fire. It can be applied by a truck-mounted, high-volume delivery system or, for more localized stations, a hose and water source.

“The Thermo-Gel system is applicable in every mine, yet completely customizable – a big plus, as mines’ needs vary,” Hussey Dagit said. “Despite standing up to extreme heat and flames, the Thermo-Gel is biodegradable and washes away with water after fire danger has passed, allowing mining operations to continue normally.”

Boart Longyear

UTAH drilling services firm Boart Longyear will introduce its new next generation surface coring rig, displaying the prototype along with several of its other products at the show.

“The new rig offers never-before-seen technologies and is a testament to the benefit of R&D input from engineers in both our products and services divisions,” said Boart Longyear global product manager for capital equipment Craig Mayman.

“Field data from our services division is being put right on the drafting table, and we believe that the caliber of design improvements will set the pace for the future of the industry.”

The unit’s features include safety and productivity such as a fail-safe and fully automated rod handling system and improvements in hoist capacity, torque and rod-pulling speed.

In addition to the prototype, Boart Longyear will also have on display its recently released High Productivity Coring System, which features the Quick Descent head assembly, Variable Wall (V-Wall) coring rod and Stage3 diamond coring bit.

“Each system component increases shift capacity and productivity; however, when all three products are used together, the High Productivity Coring System increases bit life by up to 300 percent and core barrel tripping speed by up to 50 percent over most coring systems,” said Mayman.

The company said the V-Wall rod helped users use more coring rods and achieve greater rig depth capacity thanks to a lighter weight, and was safer for drill operators to use. Its Quick Descent head assembly component reduces tripping time with a quicker return for core samples while allowing for an easy replacement thanks to its quick integration with existing core barrel configurations.

Boart Longyear said its Stage3 diamond coring bit was the tallest in the world, with a crown of 25.4mm. It said the bits lasted longer than others in the sector, up to 300% in some cases, and could endure continuous operation with new waterways at each bit stage.

Also on display at MINExpo is Boart Longyear’s KWL 1600H multipurpose exploration drill rig, which is track-mounted and has reverse circulation (RC) technology. “Beginning with the rigs offered at MINExpo, all Boart Longyear RC drills will now be equipped with its new patented RC rod handling system,” officials said, adding that guests at the expo can also take in its new BL Boxes rig support system and talk shop with its Drilling Services team.

Watson-Marlow Bredel

WATSON-Marlow Bredel will cross the US to showcase its mining-specific SPX underflow thickener pump at MINExpo.

The SPX accepts many harsh materials found at mines, from heavy metal slurries to cyanide, copper sulfate and methylcellulose.

“Unlike conventional pumps, the SPX handles the thickener underflow and various metallurgical acid slurries typically used in mining operations without damage to the working parts of the pump,” the company said of the maintenance-free units.