Development of an innovative technology for cleaning devices in conditions at risk of methane and/or coal dust explosion at the place of their installation using solid carbon dioxide – the underground cleaning technology (UCT)
Project title
Development of an innovative technology for cleaning devices in conditions at risk of methane and/or coal dust explosion at the place of their installation using solid carbon dioxide – the underground cleaning technology (UCT)
Name of Beneficiary/Beneficiaries
3N Solutions Sp. z o.o.
Name of programme
Operational Program “Smart Growth”
Competition
Fast Track
Project value
PLN 13,035,975.64
Funding value
PLN 9,894,159.84
Project delivery period
01.02.2021 – 30.11.2023
Our team
The project has been implemented by the R&D team of 3N Solutions Sp. z o.o.
Results of our work
Video
After three years of work on the R&D project, the result was a prototype of a device for working in UCT technology
Photo 1: The result of the R&D work – a prototype of the device cleaning and maintenance system, SCKU-UCT-01
Photo 2: Prototype of the SCKU-UCT device
Issues addressed
The project we implemented was intended to enable the maintenance of devices installed underground in potentially explosive environments without the need to bring them to the surface.
The result of the work is the innovative underground cleaning technology (UCT) which allows for cleaning and maintaining devices installed in conditions at risk of methane and/or coal dust explosion and a prototype SCKU-UCT cleaning and maintenance system designed to perform work using this technology.
The main feature of the device is the permanent removal of a wide range of dirt types at equipment installation sites. The ability to clean devices / systems directly in zones at risk of methane and/or coal dust explosion, also underground, is crucial in spaces with methane explosion hazard classes “a”, “b” and “c” and coal dust explosion hazard class “A” and “B”.
The new device meets the safety requirements in terms of:
- Directive 2006/42/EC implemented by the Regulation of the Minister of Economy of October 21, 2008, on essential requirements for machines. (Journal of Laws 199/2008, item 1228),
- Directive 2014/34/EU implemented by the Regulation of the Minister of Development of June 6, 2016, on requirements for equipment and protective systems intended for use in potentially explosive atmospheres,
- Directive 2014/30/EU implemented by the Act of August 29, 2003, amending the Act on the conformity assessment system and amending certain acts (Journal of Laws 170/2003, item 1652).
The following harmonized standards have been applied:
• PN-EN ISO 12100:2012, PN-EN 60204-1:2018-12, PN-EN ISO 4414:2011, PN-EN 1127-2:2014-08,
• PN-EN ISO 80079-36:2016-07, PN-EN ISO 80079-37:2016-07, PN-EN IEC 60079-0:2018-09,
• PN-EN 60079-1:2014-12, PN-EN 60079-11:2012.
Other applicable standards:
• PN-EN 61000-4-4:2013-05, PN-EN 61000-4-5:2014-10,
• PN-EN 61000-4-6:2014-04, PN-EN IEC 61000-6-2:2019-04, PN-EN IEC 61000-6-4:2019-12.
Project beneficiaries
The implementation of the project’s effects will result in a significant reduction in operating costs in mining, processing and energy industries, among others. The innovative method of cleaning devices is adapted to the requirements applicable to environments at risk of coal dust and/or methane explosions, thanks to which it will reduce the need for costly removal of equipment from hazardous areas and also significantly shorten the time necessary to perform maintenance thanks to doing the work on site.
Major implementation challenges
As part of the research work, the greatest challenge was to limit the impact of the device’s operation on the specific atmosphere and the requirements for maintaining it directly in mining excavations. The key activities in the implementation of the research focused on minimizing dust, ensuring high efficiency of collecting dirt detached from equipment and high efficiency of its capture, while limiting the spread of dirt in the cleaning area.