Since the 1996 Moura disaster CSIRO researchers have been trying to develop a remote controlled vehicle capable of entering a mine after an explosion. Earlier work resulted in the development of the remote-controlled reconnaissance vehicle, the Numbat. It was supposed to go into a potentially dangerous situation, and assess the safety for human entry.
The main problems with this earlier vehicle were that it could not move fallen rocks in its path, nor could it rescue people. Changing legislation and attitudes about sending rescuers in after an explosion helped shift the research emphasis to developing a vehicle that could do the things the Numbat could not.
Using the automation and radar-based navigation technology developed for the Numbat, CSIRO’s mining and exploration division formed a joint venture with Kirktrac, manufacturers of specialised tracked vehicles. CSIRO in conjunction with Kirktrac, is developing a mines escape rescue vehicle (MERV) powered by a closed cycle gas turbine engine.
Using a closed cycle gas turbine engine, researchers have found a way of using electric energy to store 1 megawatt of energy, contained within a box around a cubic metre in size. The heat source of at least 900°C, is provided from an electrically heated liquid salt heat cell utilising the latent heat capacity of salt. This produces enough energy to power a 320 horsepower vehicle constantly for 10-16 hours duration, roughly equivalent to 100 litres of diesel fuel, according to project leader Pat Glynn.
“Charging the vehicle is as simple as plugging it into a power supply, almost like a ‘super-battery’, and because the system is a closed circuit, engine maintenance is virtually non-existent,” Glynn said.
The design of the body is based on an existing diesel-powered, armoured personnel carrier. The mine rescue vehicle will measure 6.5m long by 2.4m wide, stand 2m high and weigh 11 tonne.
The power drives a tracked vehicle capable of climbing a 1:4 incline, which includes a shovel attachment that can dig through debris or collapsed walls. Once the unmanned vehicle reaches the endangered miners the miners can take over the machine and drive themselves out, or if they are injured they can be driven out using remote control. Up to ten people can be carried by one of the vehicles.
