Mongolian mine contract for Parker Bretby Gammatech

Opencast coal mining company set to benefit from Parker Ash Probe with AshGraffix software

PARKER Bretby Gammatech, part of Parker Hannifin, have secured a new contract with Mongolyn Alt Corporation (MAK) to supply and commission an Ash Probe – a portable ash-analysis instrument that includes innovative AshGraffix software.

MAK will use the Ash Probe to determine the ash content of coal at their Naryn Sukhait opencast mine in the Mongolian territory of Omnogovi aimag, where the coal seam is 40m thick.

Prior to selecting Parker Bretby Gammatech’s Ash Probe, the mine used its own on-site coal-testing laboratory, to which samples of coal had to be taken for processing and testing. However, using this method it could take up to 24h to obtain an ash reading from a sample.

The major benefit of the Ash Probe system is that an ash reading can be available within two minutes of inserting the probe into a pile of coal. Thus, the Ash Probe allows the use to produce an ash profile over the area of the mine in a short period of time.

The Ash Probe and AshGraffix system are designed to operate in harsh environments and can withstand temperatures as low as –20°C and high as +40°C. The Ash Probe features a stainless steel housing within which a scintillation crystal is sealed, to prevent the ingress of dust and moisture. It provides data on ash content that is accurate to 1%.

Magsar Bazarragchaa, senior project engineer at MAK, said: ‘The Ash Probe gives us a much quicker method of analyzing the ash content of coal, which will bring many efficiencies and cost savings to our operations. We find the data from AshGraffix very useful in analyzing and tracking batches quickly prior to dispatch.’

Gary Wain, product manager at Parker Bretby Gammatech, said: ‘The Ash Probe is renowned across the globe for allowing mining businesses to make cost savings and ensure the quality of their products.

‘We were delighted to supply MAK with their first Ash Probe and AshGraffix software, which will bring many time and efficiency benefits to their business. Our AshGraffix software has taken the technology to a new level, allowing greater data analysis than ever before and helping buyers and producers ensure the quality of their coal.’

For coal mines, use of the Ash Probe allows coal to be blended more accurately, resulting in a premium product. Use of the Ash Probe also means that coal trucks can be dispatched quicker, which reduces standing time. The device also helps reduce the amount of discarded waste and hence disposal costs.

From a coal buyer’s perspective, use of an Ash Probe allows them to test coal deliveries on site and reject inferior product or negotiate lower prices.

The new AshGraffix software provides a high-resolution colour touch-screen display with a multi-language user interface. Data can be quickly and simply transferred to USB memory stick for offline analysis of reports in Microsoft Excel or generic spreadsheet format.

The software is capable of storing data from up to 99 coal piles or 600 trucks. The AshGraffix display unit features a robust aluminium housing with stainless steel fascia and a 7in colour touch screen, with a ‘Tuffscreen’ high-impact protector for added durability.