Pneumatic capsule pipeline system

The method(s) of transporting and hauling materials in mining operations ha s not changed dramatically in several decades. The common types of transpor t used by the industry are rail, trucks and hoists. As the costs of mainten ance and operation of these systems rise, due to increased use, higher fuel prices and lower grades of material, industries involved in the movement o f ores and concentrates will have to look to a different more efficient typ e of transportation. One of these options is the pneumatic capsule pipeline (PCP) system. Pneumatic encapsulated transportation of raw, processed, or waste materials can be considered a viable alternative method for material handling in the mining industry. There are already a few industrial applications in operat ion today in Japan and Europe. There is not yet a similar application in No rth America. The leading country in PCP development is Japan. They have had a working system, hauling limestone, for more than 20 years and have plans for two more installations (Anon., 1999). Recently, a pilot PCP system was built and tested at laurentian University. A 600 mm diam., 70 m long pipel ine, of fibreglass, rigid duct, fabricated by Shauenburg Industries ltd, of North Bay, Ontario, was constructed and several tests were conducted. The capsule was 1.5 m long and had a 508 mm (20 in.) diameter. The capsule ran on four wheels and was loaded with 22 kg (50 Ib) sandbags. Due to simplicit y of the capsule, tests were ended when the total weight of she capsule exc eeded 380 kg (850 Ib). A 30 kW (40 hp) blower suitable to produce pressure of 10 kPa and supply 150 m(3)/min, of air powered the system. The capsule r eached its maximum speed of about 7 m/sec. after moving 15 m to 35 m. The a cceleration of the capsule required up to 4.5 kPa peak pressure, bur less t han 0.8 kPa was needed to sustain the maximum speed of the capsule. This pa per concentrates on energy analysis of the system. All the success that Japan has achieved and the experience gained on the LU pilot project confirm that any bulk material can be transported safely a l ong distance by means of PCP in a controlled manner and at low cost. For in stance, PCP transportation can successfully be adapted to move slag from a smelter to a shah for backfill purposes. Of equal importance is the fact th at ore and concentrate can be transported efficiently and continuously unde rground in a mine or on the surface. Such a system, by nature, compliments ventilation systems and, when used on surface, leaves a very small footprin t on the environment It offers the dual benefits of safety and simplicity.