Inorail have successfully developed the first Australian inbye, pressure control system for Longwall Pump Stations.

Immediate improvement of 15% system pressure over conventional on-board control has been achieved in the longwall hydraulic delivery pressure of an existing mining operation in NSW.

The improved pressure is measured at the main-gate area prior to distribution across the Longwall ring main distribution system.

The customer commented recently that they know immediately if the system is not turned on because their Roof Support leg set pressure begins to reveal a broader spectrum of pressure fluctuation.

The MCPS method can be applied to any new or existing pump station employing Inoxihp, Kamat, Hauhinco, RMI or similar positive displacement plunger pumps at the longwall pump station.

Inorail supply Moolarben Coal Operations with a new Longwall Monorail system, designed by Inorail in Australia, all manufactured in Australia and Germany with engineering cooperation between Inorail and SMT Scharf.

The system employed standard Scharf material handling systems to mount the Longwall Pumps under the monorail assembly which included the ability to negotiate curved rail, dips and swilleys while continuing to operate.

The Inorail design includes a simple high torque haulage drive system that moves the 70 tonne pump station along the rail while standard Scharf pneumatic drives move the hose and cable delivery concertina sections.

The Monorail mounted pump station is simple, economical and easily maintained, while the system includes 2 x longwall fluid reservoirs of up to 10,000 L capacity all designed to negotiate a 1:10 incline/decline without the need for transfer pumps to manage the fluid levels.

The complete monorail system with integral pump station is about to complete the first block of coal in June and has successfully achieved the specified performance parameters throughout the first production period.

Tim Leeson answers how it's possible to achieve up to 15% more pressure at the main-gate crossover with MCPS.

What is MCPS?

Main-gate Controlled Pump Station: a system developed by INORAiL that will achieve up to 15% more pressure at the main-gate crossover.

What will MCPS do for us?

It will improve Roof Support function speed, it will improve the pressure available during gate end push operations.

A revolutionary monorail mounted longwall pump station developed by Australia's INORAiL in conjunction with Scharf Germany is set for international release.

Representing a 3.5% capital cost saving on a pump and trolleys set up commonly used in Australia, the first such unit is due to be delivered to Caterpillar in June 2017 for installation on Yancoal's Moolarben coal mine.

A unique Main-gate Controlled Pump Station developed by INORAiL specifically for longwall applications is now being marketed to all operators of new and existing longwalls.

We speak with INORAiL Managing Director Tim Leeson, and he shares why his team are convinced, based on their first-hand experience, that this new innovation will meet with strong demand as it is both cost effective and efficient.