Nitrogen Tyre Inflation - Pulford Air & Gas...the tires, users of Michelin tires may, under certain...

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1 © Pulford Air & Gas 2012

Nitrogen Tyre

Inflation

OTR Mining System

• Pulford are a 100% Australian owned company who have specialised in the design, manufacture, service of quality, air compressors and gas generation systems since 1925.

• The NitroPlus systems by Pulford have become Australia’s leader

in the design, manufacture of continuous, on-site nitrogen systems.

• Nitroplus is Australia’s leading brand for Nitrogen Tyre Inflation with installations in over 520 locations.


Company Background

Nitrogen for Mining

SAFETY SAFETY SAFETY


Why Nitrogen Tyre Inflation for Mining

1.Eliminate the hidden hazards of internal tyre fires and explosions

2.Reduced rim corrosion

3.Improved pressure retention



1. Eliminate the hidden hazards of internal tyre fires

and explosions

RISK REDUCTION = SAFE WORKPLACE



• Every year mines across the country have multiple stopages from “hot tyre” events.

• Lightning stopages occur every year on many mines. • Best process never eliminates the risk of injury or death. • Nitrogen eliminates the risk of explosion from internal

tyre burning and external heating & electrification. • 17 major events in recent years, 6 deaths. • Cost to life • Cost of machinery @ $3.5million • Cost of mine stoppages for weeks after incident

Cost neutral implementation – WHY NOT! 6

© Pulford Air & Gas 2012

Nitrogen Inflation =

Air with reduced oxygen level


Maximum Oxygen Concentration


Source – P

arker Hannifin 2001

5% in-tyre purity is the industry standard

How Nitrogen Inflation Works

1. To start a fire you need flammable material, ignition source and oxygen

2. Take one of these away and you cannot start a fire

3. Fill with nitrogen to remove the oxygen (less than 5.5% oxygen) and prevent a fire or explosion.


Cause Of Heat Source

1. External Heat Sources - Heat applied by an external source from one of the following

Vehicle fire, Wheel motor fire, Hot rock or molten slag, Dragging brake or Excessive brake use, welding while the tyre is mounted.


2. Internal Heat Sources - Heat generated in structure of a tyre during operation.

Tyre Separations – although very rare to cause explosion

3. Electrification

Lightning strike or Contact with overhead power lines.

1. Tyre Fires / Internal


Internal heating – rubber and liner separation causing internal combustion of tyre & oxygen = rapidly increasing pressure and explosion. High probability of injury and death.

1. Tyre Fires / External


External heating – vehicle electrification causing tyre explosion as the lightning or external power ignites chamber of tyre. External heating from brakes and other sources = rapidly increasing pressure and explosion. High probability of injury

2. Reduced Rim Corrosion

- Rim / Wheel Assemblies

Compressed air has a proportion of water and oxygen, which at higher pressures and temperatures causes accelerating oxidation.

• Compressed air @ 7 bar (102 psi)

• 30ºC dew point contains 3.9g/m³ of moisture • 500-700Lt per month (100Hp compressor)

• Nitrogen @ 95% @ 7 Bar (102 psi)

• contains only 0.0002g/m³ of moisture

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© Pulford Air & Gas 2012

Rim/Case Corrosion - Oxidation

• Oxidation occurs in the:

• rim

• valve

• steel belts of tyre casing

• around the bead seat

• Promoting rubber separation / case degredation

• Oxidation rates will vary depending on the site, equipment used and amount of sealant used in the tyre


3. Improved Pressure Retention

• Figure 1 shows the pressure / purity equilibrium point. Figure 2 shows the different partial pressure of oxygen at varying purity and pressure.

Benefits will vary from site to site and by tyre manufacturer


Pulford’s leading design

• System designed specifically for each site taking into account all environmental aspects.

• System purity designed to be minimum 98% allowing for only one fill per tyre.

• 24,000 Lt Nitrogen tanks give instant inflation with maximum energy and pressure.

• 3 point nitrogen purity monitoring. • Containerised system and tank giving the client full

flexibility. • Two types of gas separation on offer – site specific

applications.


3. Controls / Change management

• For every installation there are strict controls and guidelines recommended to each site.

• These include: – Use of hand held sensor at tyre pad – Purity / pressure control sheets – Visual signage for mandatory inflation – Visual tagging on rims – Onsite training for system and checklists

• Work closely with each mine on change management procedures and implementation.


NitroPlus Systems Installation

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Tyre Manufactures Endorsement


Michelin Use and Maintenance Guide - EMT - 2012

“In order to protect the rims from oxidation without adversely affecting the performance of the tires, users of Michelin tires may, under certain circumstances, use nitrogen for inflation”

Tyre Manufactures Endorsement

• Bridgestone recommend the use of nitrogen inflation in OTR for minimizing the risk of:

1. Tyre fires 2. Aging of inner tyre 3. Rim Rust 4. Inflation pressure

instability

(Source: Bridgestone Maintenance Off-The-Road Tires - 2007)


Vehicle Manufactures Endorsement


Cost Benefit Analysis

• Nitrogen takes away the need for liquid additive to be added to the tyre. – Cost saving - $54,000 to $90,000

• Reduction in park-ups from suspected tyre fires – Cost saving $5000 per hour x 24 hrs (1 stoppage) = $120,000

• Eliminating the risk of tyre explosion – Cost of machine damage - $3.5Million – Cost of mine shut down - $??,???,??? – Cost of safety to workers - PRICELESS

• Cost of unit - $150,000 - $250,000




Onsite N2 generation at the workshop

We can design, construct, install and commission a NitroPlus system to suit your needs.


www.pulford.com.au

Summary

The information contained in this document is confidential and intended for use of the addressee only. Its unauthorised use, reproduction or dissemination is prohibited.

http://www.nitroplus.com.au/

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