Air System & Compressor

Air System & Compressor

Air System
Compressed air is used for the following rig functions:
• Flushing air
Full flushing and reduced flushing air. Transportation of drilled cuttings from the hole
to the surface. The reduced flushing is mainly used during collaring through fissured
ground, to prevent the air from destroying the hole walls.
• ECL, rock drill lubrication system
Distribution of lubrication oil inside the rock drill.
• HECL, DTH Hammer lubrication system
Distribution of lubrication oil inside the DTH Hammer.
• HECL, COPROD head and sections lubrication system
Distribution of lubrication oil inside the COPROD head and sections.
• ECG, thread greasing systems (option)
Distribution of lubrication oil onto the drill rod threads.
• Spray greasing system (option)
Distribution of lubrication oil into the flushing air.
• DCT, dust collector
Cleaning of the DCT filters.
• Extra air-outlet
Provides air for running tools or grinders.
• Water-mist system (option)
Pressurization of the air/water tank.

Flushing air – L740, L740CR

Conditions for the flushing air function:
• Switch S130 in Drilling position => input D552-CH1/ON
• Sensor B118 activated, RHS arm in carousel => PLC input
X10-5/ON
• Switch S100 in position reduced (b) or full (a) => input
D551-CH1/ON or OFF
• Switch S446A in Impact position => input D550-CH9/ON a S100
(To start only flushing, press the impact switch S446A for shorter
than 0.5 seconds. To start low impact, press the switch for longer
than 0.5 seconds. Pressing the switch again for shorter than 0.5 b
seconds would deactivate flushing.)

The volume of flushing air is controlled by the Flush air switch Figure: example, L740 left panel
S100, but activation of flushing air is done with Impact switch S446.

There are two air flushing modes, reduced and full air flushing, activated by their respective
solenoid valves Y116 and Y115. When full air flushing is activated, both the valves are open
and when reduced air flushing is activated only Y116 is open.

When a low flushing air pressure and flow is required, e.g. collaring in fractured rock, the
flushing air can be used in reduced mode by setting switch S100 in position (b). In this
position only Y116 will be activated.

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Flushing air – L830

Conditions for the flushing air function:
• Switch S130 in Drilling position => input D552-CH1/ON
• Sensor B118 activated, RHS arm in carousel => PLC input X10-5/ON
• Switch S446A/B in Impact position => input D550-CH9/ON or CH10/ON
There are two air flushing modes, reduced and full air flushing, activated by solenoid valves
Y116 and Y115. When full air flushing is activated by S446B, both the valves are open; and
when reduced air flushing is activated by S446A, only Y116 is open.

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ECL, rock drill lubrication system

See section “ECL, rock drill lubrication system” under chapter “Drilling”.

HECL, DTH hammer lubrication system

See chapter “HECL, DTH hammer lubrication system” under “Drilling”.

HECL, COPROD head and sections lubrication system

See section “HECL, COPROD head and sections lubrication systems” under chapter
“Drilling”.

ECG, Thread lubrication systems (option)

See chapter “ECG, thread lubrication with oil (Option)”.

Spray greasing system (option)

The lubrication is injected into the flushing air and dissipates through the treads of the drill
rods to keep them lubricated.
See chapter “Spray greasing system (Option)”.

DCT, dust collector

See chapter “Dust collector, DCT”.

Extra air-outlet
The rig is equipped with two air outlets where a grinder or tool can be connected. The air
pressure is limited to 7 bar by a pressure reducing valve.

Water-mist system (option)

See chapter “Water mist systems (Option)”.

Compressor

General – L740, L740CR

The on board compressor is a single stage, oil-injected screw compressor. The normal
working pressure has been set to 12 bar, whereas the maximum pressure is 14 bar. The
maximum free air delivery (FAD) is 252.7 l/sec at 12 bar working pressure with 20°C
ambient temperature.

General – L830
The on board compressor is a double stage, oil-injected screw compressor. The normal
working pressure has been set to 30 bar, which also is the maximum pressure. The maximum
free air delivery (FAD) is 434.2 l/sec at 30 bar working pressure with 20°C ambient
temperature.

Compressor element – L740, L740CR

The compressor element contains two rotors, one female and one male rotor, mounted on
roller as well as ball bearings. The female rotor is driven by the diesel engine, and powers the
male rotor. The rotors are lubricated by oil, injected and mixed with the air. This also
increases the efficiency as the oil seals between the rotor-tips and housing. The compressor
elements are of Atlas Copco type OIS M-07. The gear ratio is 1.625.

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Compressor element – L830

The compressor element contains two rotors, one female and one male rotor, mounted on
roller as well as ball bearings. The female rotor is driven by the diesel engine, and powers the
male rotor. The rotors are lubricated by oil, injected and mixed with the air. This also
increases the efficiency as the oil seals between the rotor-tips and housing. The compressor
elements are of Atlas Copco type OIS N-02 and OIS J-33. The gear ratio is 2.195.

Air flow
Intake air is drawn in through the air filter and the inlet valve to the compressor element. The
air is mixed with injected oil and after compression is passed through the check valve into the
air receiver. The check valve prevents back-flow of compressed air when the compressor is
stopped. In the air receiver, most of the oil is removed from the air/oil mixture by the oil
separator. The flow of compressed air then passes through the minimum pressure valve out
into the drill rigs air system. The minimum pressure valve prevents the pressure in the air
receiver to drop below the minimum working pressure of the compressor before the air is
released, in order to ensure proper function of the oil system.

Air Atmospheric Pressure

Air Regulating Pressure

Air Working Pressure

Air/Oil Mixture

Oil

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Cooling and oil system

Oil is used for lubrication, sealing, cooling and is boosted by air pressure, there is no oil
pump. The lower part of the air receiver serves as oil tank. Air pressure forces the oil from the
air receiver through the oil cooler, oil filter and the oil stop valve to the different injection
points of the compressor element. The air/oil mixture then leaves the compressor element and
re-enters the air receiver, where the oil is separated from the air by centrifugal or cyclone
forces and the oil separator element. Oil that is collected in the bottom of the oil separator is
returned to the oil system by way of the scavenge line and flow restrictor. The oil stop valve
prevents the compressor element from flooding with oil when the unit is stopped.

Note: A thermostatic valve bypasses the oil cooler when the oil is below 40 °C for L740,
L740CR, and 80 °C for L830.

Regulating system – L740, L740CR

The compressor control system contains a regulating valve. This valve serves to adapt the
volume of air supplied by the compressor to the air consumption, while simultaneously
maintaining the working pressure within the limits.
The control system also includes a loading solenoid valve Y210 which is activated by switch
S180 on the right hand control panel.

Regulating system – L830

The compressor control system contains two regulating valves. These valves serve to adapt
the volume of air supplied by the compressor to the air consumption, while simultaneously
maintaining the working pressure within the limits.
The control system also includes a load solenoid Y210A and a high/low pressure solenoid
valve Y210B. Y210A is activated by switch S180 on the right hand control panel. One
pressure switch B336 prevents the engine to start with the compressor loaded, which implies
there should be less than 1 bar in the air receiver before starting the engine. The second
pressure switch B337 prevents the compressor to load below 5 bar. Solenoid valve Y210B is
activated when high impact switch S446B is activated.

Instrumentation & fault indication – L740, L740CR

The compressor air pressure delivered from the compressor can be read-off pressure gauge.
The compressor has also a temperature indicator-switch, B366, which automatically generate
a warning on the display if the compressor temperature has reached +117°C, and cuts the
diesel engine if the compressor temperature has reached +120°C.

Instrumentation & fault indication – L830

The compressor air pressure delivered from the compressor can be read-off pressure gauge.
The compressor has also 2 temperature indicator-switches, B366A and B366B, which
automatically generate a warning on the display if the compressor temperature has reached
+125°C, and cuts the diesel engine if the compressor temperature has reached +130°C.

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