News / Application Stories / Australia's first TwinAir compressor bound for the Pilbra's iron ore operations
Australia's first TwinAir compressor bound for the Pilbra's iron ore operations
Water well drilling specialist, Perth-based Nudrill, has taken delivery of Australia’s first Atlas Copco TwinAir compressor for dewatering and bore hole drilling in Pilbra’s iron ore mines.
Revolutionary Concept
XRV 2000 CD 6 Twin Air
Western Australia’s water well drilling specialist for the State’s iron ore mines, Nudrill, has taken delivery of Australia’s first purpose-ordered TwinAir compressor from Atlas Copco.
The recently introduced XRV 2000 CD 6 TwinAir offers a revolutionary concept of the largest volume of airflow up to 1975 cfm (936 l/s) and the smallest footprint at low and high pressure for ground engineering and mining techniques.
Designed to meet the high demands of specialized drilling companies with increased capacity compressors and enhance productivity, the TwinAir operates at a pressure of up to 25 bar (365 psi).
Efficient Process
The unit is housed in a standard 20 ft ISO container ensuring fast installation and minimum set up times. It features two operationally independent compressors with air manifolds housed within the ISO container providing a robust, energy efficient and safety enhanced air supply.
Prime power is provided by two Caterpillar C13 Acert T3 six cylinder in-line diesel engines, each rated at 328 kVA (440 hp) to provide a combined total of 656 kW (880 hp) at 1600 rpm. The TwinAir forms part of Nudrill’s policy to utilize more sophisticated equipment and improved safety and, for example, incorporates remote control access using a 50 m long umbilical cord for connection to the drill rig and silent operation.
The compressor has also been adapted to include mandatory drop down safety walkways complying with State requirements ensuring safe and easy access to the compressor.
Specialists in Well Drilling
Nudrill, formed 25 years ago, specializes in water well drilling, primarily for Rio Tinto and BHP iron ore mines throughout Western Australia. With most of the mines below the region’s water table, dewatering and bore well drilling play a key role in ensuring the mines continuing operations. Recent trends have also indicated the need to drill deeper and larger diameter holes in complex ground conditions – with Nudrill currently drilling to depths of 300-400 m.
Twin Air not afraid of the heat
To meet this demand the TwinAir will supply compressed air for a newly delivered rotary drill rig, using the umbilical cord to allow remote operation some distance from the rig, ensuring a quieter and safer environment for the operators.
Depending on the ground complexity, holes are expected to take between 1 – 2 weeks to drill, place the casing and install the water well process. Hole diameters vary between 12 in – 20 in.
Temperatures of up to 50ºC experienced in the Pilbra region are not expected to present any operational problems for the TwinAir having been designed to operate in this temperature range.
First Atlas Copco
Committed to your superior productivity
According to Nudrill Managing Director, Mike Norburn, the company has been using Atlas Copco compressors since 1987 with the delivery of an XRH 350 which is “still firing and operational with too many hours clocked”.
The company took delivery of a XRVS 606 18 months ago for a horizontal drilling application within the Pilbra. “This proved very satisfactory and a XRVS 476 has since been delivered, once again for horizontal drilling 300 m into the side of the mine,” said Mike Norburn, adding, “This particular rig included an on-board compressor, with the Atlas Copco compressor topping up the compressed air supply.”
Nudrill amalgamation a success
Already recognized as one of the top five water well specialists in Australia, the recent amalgamation, announced in May, with new partners, is expected to take Nudrill into the top three.
The amalgamation with a private equity company also includes Gorey and Cole of Alice Springs - the largest water well drilling company in the Northern Territories; and Melbourne-based Sides Engineering, a specialist offshore geotechnical exploration engineering company.
“It’s an expensive game today – we cannot do without the right equipment and investment,” said Mike Norburn. He continued, “Last year Nudrill invested more than US$7.5 million over a 12 month period.”
“This new amalgamation means we will have the necessary funding for further investment plus of course we will be able to transfer expertise and equipment.”
