With Sandvik DPi drill rig’s low fuel consumption everyone wins
Sandvik DPi is a family of intelligent surface top hammer drill rigs launched in 2008 and designed from the outset for maximum environmental performance. The functions of DPi drill rigs are optimized by means of a carefully designed intelligent control system, and the rigs consume around 15% less fuel than earlier similar rigs.
During the three years that the Sandvik DPi family of drill rigs has been on the market it has earned praise.Customer feedback says that these rigs outperform the previous generation both in productivity and fuel economy. Operators are very happy with the excellent working conditions provided by the rig, and the intelligent control system makes their work easier.
Lower fuel consumption – a key target
Energy-efficiency was one of the main features defined in the new DPi series development project. "We set three key environmental targets: one was lower fuel consumption and the other two minimizing noise and dust emissions. We developed a new way of measuring fuel consumption which also incorporates the productivity aspect. While the previous measurement unit for fuel consumption was litres per hour, we now count litres per drilled meter," explains Tapani Sormunen, Engineering Manager, New Products, Surface Drills.
Pekka Kesseli, Global Product Line Manager, Surface Drills, says that Sandvik's long-term experience with this type of drill rig is clearly visible in DPi's technical solutions: "The business environment keeps changing constantly. The DPi project had to address issues such as increasing energy costs, diminishing fossil fuel resources and higher requirements for environmental performance. Judging by the praise we have garnered, the product seems to respond to these challenges very well"
One can say that: As a result of the efforts, the DPi series rigs consume 15% less fuel than their counterparts. This means a considerable drop in CO2 emissions; in typical Construction applications with 2 500 engine hours annually, the drop is 35 tons. In surface mining applications, with 6 700 engine hours, the difference is as high as 90 tons.
Intelligent solutions behind it all
Low fuel consumption was reached by a combination of multiple factors. One of the key factors is intelligent compressor control: "The system automatically increases the compressor pressure level only when necessary, such as during drill hole flushing. The control system independently guarantees the necessary pressure level," says Mar. Sormunen.
Optimized RPM control of the diesel engine is another fuel saver. The RPM setting is now 1800 instead of the previous 2100. The intelligent drill rig control system will set the engine RPM as required for transferring the rig or for drilling, for example. The operator does not have to pay attention to that. A lower RPM also decreases noise and extends the service life of the engine.
A third fuel-economy solution relates to the electric load-sensing system of the rig hydraulics, a feature first adopted in the DPi rig family. The electric load-sensing system sets the pump to just the right pressure level for each operating condition. It causes fewer power losses than the previous system and therefore also consumes less fuel. Yet another novelty in the DPi is a new cooling fan with an alternating RPM adapting to the cooling requirements. The device must be able to perform in varying climatic conditions. In winter the fans can rotate slower while hot weather requires higher RPMs. In addition to fuel consumption, the adaptable cooling fan system also lowers the noise level.
Being equipped with TIER4 engines for cleaner exhaust emissions, the Sandvik DPi series rigs also meet the strict environmental regulations of Europe and North America.
Steady steps forward
Sandvik's development work will not end here. Today's challenges include the development of drill tubes. The goal is to extend the traditional range of drill rods to include drill tubes that can improve the flushing flow of drilling air and influence compressor optimization, meaning further savings in fuel consumption. It is clear that protecting the environment will be an increasingly important aspect in the design of new products.
The Sandvik DPi series consists of four models:
DP800i Hole range: 76 – 127 mm
DP900i Hole range: 89 – 127 mm
DP1100i Hole range: 89 – 140 mm
DP1500i Hole range: 89 – 152 mm
For further information please contact:
Satu Rämö
Global Marketing Communication Manager
Sandvik Construction
Office Phone: +358 205 44 151
Mobile Phone: +358 40 537 4020
E-mail: satu.ramo@sandvik.com