Innovative technology to improve rock splitting in quarries
Recent data shows that China, Brazil and the US have cornered over 70 % of the world’s stone production market share. Due to technical inefficiencies and a poor economy, Europe lost its 40 % lead in this industry. Reclaiming lost jobs and the EU’s share of exports and the upgrading of current technology are the objectives of the HYDRASPLIT (Development of an environmentally friendly and cost-effective modular hydraulic rock-splitter system for efficiently breaking large rocks for an improved use in stone quarry extraction) initiative. Scientists are working on developing an environmentally friendly and cost-effective modular hydraulic rock-splitter for efficiently breaking large rocks for optimal stone quarry extraction. Market analysis accounted for the needs of the end-users of the project, in both the stone and the construction industries. Thinking practically, researchers surveyed industry leaders on such items as the dimensions and characteristics of quarries. Key design functionalities were addressed. This included concepts analysis of manufacturing processes like thermal treatments, investigation of components such as splitters and materials combined with the functional analysis of quarry working conditions and user needs. Simulations were conducted to identify each design parameter in each concept for rock breaking capability and technical performance. Simulations also paid substantial attention to the actual rock properties (for example fracture mechanics and fracture energy) to give inputs to the design process and to finally validate the performance in controlled and field environments. Current extraction techniques in the stone production industry are dangerous. Explosives are used in various forms for the primary and second cutting. HYDRASPLIT offers a safer and faster solution where there is a need to preserve surrounding areas and rocks and improve safety in quarrying activities. Explosives are carefully regulated and not used when there is a possible risk to people. HYDRASPLIT therefore offers a promising alternative to the use of explosives in excavation, demolition and trenching. It is portable, easy-to-use and with fewer safety issues. HYDRASPLIT has been disseminated at important European industry conferences, fairs and exhibitions. Visibility at these events will continue to strengthen the important relationships built with the construction and stone production industries.
Keywords
Rock splitting, stone production, hydraulic rock-splitter, stone quarry
