In the fast-paced environment of modern mining operations, the paramount focus is on maximizing equipment availability and reliability. With production targets escalating each quarter, both mining operations and Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) teams face immense pressure to ensure that equipment remains operational to sustain continuous production. However, amidst these demands, the fundamental requirement of machine maintenance, particularly washing, is often overlooked. Neglecting this basic necessity can lead to detrimental consequences, including increased downtime, diminished operational efficiency, and heightened risks of equipment failure. Therefore, it is imperative to prioritize the regular washing of machinery to uphold its longevity and optimal performance, even amid the relentless pursuit of production goals.
Mining equipment requires washing for several reasons:
- Rust/Corrosion prevention: Mining equipment often operates in harsh environments with exposure to corrosive substances such as salt, acids, and other chemicals. Washing helps remove these substances, reducing the risk of corrosion and extending the equipment’s lifespan.
- Maintaining Efficiency: Dirt, debris, and mineral deposits can accumulate on mining equipment, leading to decreased efficiency and performance. Regular washing removes these build-ups, allowing the equipment to operate at optimal levels.
- Contamination prevention: Mining equipment may come into contact with various substances, including hazardous materials. Washing helps prevent cross-contamination between different work areas or projects, ensuring safety and environmental compliance.
- Complying with Regulations: Many mining operations are subject to environmental regulations that require equipment to be cleaned regularly to prevent pollution and minimize environmental impact. Washing equipment helps companies comply with these regulations and avoid fines or penalties.
- Ensuring Safety: Clean equipment is safer to operate. Removing dirt, grease, and other residues reduces the risk of slips, falls, and other accidents, promoting a safer working environment for miners and personnel.
- Minimizing risk of fire: Washing mining machines can indeed help in removing oil spills resulting from hydraulic hose punctures. When a hydraulic hose punctures, it leads to release of hydraulic fluid. Pressurized hydraulic hoses releases high amount of oil once they punctured and oil gets splashed onto nearby areas. This proposes risk to equipment safety if oil has splashed onto heated parts such as those of exhaust line. This kind of situation can lead to smoke generation or in worst cases cause a fire incident. Hence it is generally recommended to wash equipment after hose replacement to remove any oil residue that can become a catalyst for fire afterwards.
- Improved air conditioner performance: Temperature at certain levels in underground mining can be very high due to lower ventilation. At these levels the air conditioning systems must work efficiently. At the time of equipment washing, washing of condenser grill, helps in improved AC performance, AC lifespan and cabin air quality. The condenser grill is a crucial component of an equipment cooling system, due to its front-facing position, the condenser grille is prone to accumulating dirt and debris, particularly when driving on dusty or muddy underground roads. Excessive dirt on the grill impedes efficient heat dissipation. After dry cleaning from compressed air spray, a water spray is generally utilized to further cleanse the condenser, removing any remaining dust or debris. A clean grill facilitates smooth airflow to the condenser, enhancing the efficiency of the AC system, leading to quicker and cooler cooling inside the operator’s cabin. Heavy duty fleet washing techniques can be divided intoThe mining industry, in particular, presents unique cleaning challenges not encountered elsewhere. The harsh underground environment fosters the accumulation of dirt, dust, solids and mud. Mining equipment, often massive in size, faces the additional challenge of constant operation, with some machinery remaining underground permanently. Thus, an equipment suitable for underground use becomes a necessity. The manual pressure washers fits perfectly for this kind of scenario.One of the primary benefits of utilizing a mobile pressure washing system is its ability to provide flexibility by enabling on-location cleaning. Combining a hot water unit can provide hot water to clean surfaces efficiently. The higher the pressure, the better and faster is the cleaning.
Manual pressure washing - Demucking washing systems
A demucking washing systems consists of a series of jets placed inside water pipes which are placed at regular intervals, throughout the washing bay on both sides, so that entire equipment gets washed in one go.
The jets spray high amount of water at moderate pressure. In order to achieve maximum results, the length of the washing platform should be large enough so that equipment can have movement during washing thereby exposing all areas of equipment to water jets.
Personal protective equipment (PPE) during washing
Both auto and manual washing poses subsequent health and safety hazards to the concerned washing person. The job requires proper use of PPE to mitigate the risk of someone getting injured.
- Heavy duty water resistant coat: A full body heavy duty water resistant coat with a hood and reflective taping will keep the washing person visible, dry and prevent flying debris from causing injury.
- Rubber boots: A sturdy pair of rubber boots will prevent your feet from getting wet and protect your skin from corrosive chemicals. Boots also provide added grip on wet and slippery surfaces.
- Rubber gloves: A pair of rubber gloves of appropriate thickness, size and having texture lining should be used for sturdy handling of pressure washer gun.
- Heavy duty face shield: The face shield covers the entire face which includes sensory organs such as eyes and nose and helps protect the wearer from reflecting droplets.
- Ear plugs: The sound coming from pressure washer motor is generally of high decibel, use of ear muffs or ear plugs can provide hearing protection.
Overall, washing mining equipment is essential for maintaining performance, safety, and environmental compliance in mining operations.
About the author: Harshvardhan Singh works as a Senior Service Engineer at a mining equipment manufacturer in India. He loves to write on topics related to Tribology and Mining.
