Sandvik help keep the noise down in quarries
Company introduces two new solutions to reduce noise emissions in surface top-hammer drilling
MANY contractors and quarry operators face increasingly restrictive noise limits, particularly those working in or close to urban areas. Effective solutions are, therefore, necessary to cut out harmful noise to improve work safety and to maintain good relations with local communities.
Sandvik Mining and Rock Technology have launched two new low-noise options for their Ranger DXi-series and Dino DC410Ri top-hammer surface drill rigs. The new solutions are not only beneficial to the surrounding areas, but they also reduce the rig operator and worksite personnel’s exposure to harmful noise levels, thereby offering a more comfortable working environment.
The main source of noise from a top-hammer drill rig is the rock drill itself, which accounts for up to 75% of the total sound level from the unit. Both Sandvik solutions are designed to reduce the sound level around the drill rig by isolating the rock drill and rod-handling system inside a noise-suppressing structure.
These solutions are especially effective at suppressing the highest drilling noise frequencies, between 2,500 and 10,000Hz.
NoiseGuard-DXi reduces noise emissions from the Ranger DXi-series drill rigs designed for construction applications and quarries. The system is a fully enclosed structure that provides up to 12.9dB noise reduction in A-weighted sound pressure within a 16m radius of the rig.
Within this measuring distance, Sandvik say the noise reduction, compared with unmitigated sound pressure, is up to 95%. The NoiseGuard-DXi option is also equipped with a camera system that provides visually aided drilling once the structure doors are closed. In addition, it has an innovative single-bolt dismantling design for fast and easy maintenance on the feed system.
Sandvik’s other option, NoiseShield-DC, is a simple, compact solution for the smaller, cabinless Dino DC410Ri drill rigs that have proven a success in urban worksites.
While not fully enclosed, the NoiseShield-DC offers up to a 7.5dB reduction in A-weighted sound pressure by directing the drilling noise upwards through an open top – away from the operator and surrounding areas. This reduction translates to an 82% mitigation in noise pressure within a 16m radius of the drill rig.
