Brüel & Kjær latest noise management system for mine operators

Managing environmental impact, whilst growing operations and keeping down costs, is one of the mining industry's key concerns.

As public perception of exceeded noise levels can lead to complaints,  Bruel & Kjaer has created its Noise Sentinel Mining system, which enables mine operators to meet the challenge of expanding their projects, but keep within acceptable noise limits - often defined as only 5 dB above background levels.

Noise Sentinel gathers reliable and detailed data, which can be shared with communities, allowing stakeholder concerns to be addressed and pre-empting any noise-related issues for the mining companies.

The system is supplied on a subscription basis, which involves Brüel & Kjær providing and running the noise monitoring equipment on their customers' behalf. This reduces the user's costs as there's no need for staff training or operation.

Noise Sentinel monitors noise levels continuously (24 hours a day) and is compliant with statutory noise limits. Users receive alerts, via email or SMS, when noise levels are exceed, so they can take immediate action to reduce impact on local communities. They can also remotely monitor real-time noise levels, via the internet, to se exactly what is going on without visiting the site.

For further information, and to read the full case study, view website: www.bksv.com  Refer to page 78

Intelligent cranes on the move

To ensure that cranes used in demanding industrial processes are up and running at all times, Konecranes has recently launched an innovative remote services product family named TRUCONNECT. The first two products in this family are the TRUVIEW^® data reporting service and the full-service package, the TRUCARE^® solution.

Based on remote connection between the crane and a Konecranes remote centre, TRUVIEW provides the customer with a realistic view of their crane's operating conditions through continuous data collection.

"All information from the crane is automatically sent to the remote center to be further processed and finally concretized in sophisticated reports. In the remote centre, we have a dedicated organization and enough resources to operate the remote services worldwide," says Tuomo Härkönen, the head of Global Technical Services.

Continuing, he said: "TRUVIEW can be offered also for older cranes through installation of a retrofitting package that enables the remote connection. It's even possible to install the remote connection for a competitor's cranes if we have a maintenance contract with the customer," .

Save time and money
The reports compiled by TRUVIEW can be viewed over the Internet by both the customer and Konecranes maintenance staff.

"In the reports, we emphasize safety issues such as whether overloads or emergency stops have occurred, and how the maintenance can be optimized," says Sampsa Mattheiszen, Konecranes Product Engineer, Remote Services.

Mattheiszen continued: "As all data come from actual usage, it is possible to tailor the maintenance for individual cranes according to the real need.

"TRUVIEW enables Konecranes to help its customers not just to improve the safe use of their equipment but also to provide the right maintenance at the right time and to assess the life cycle of crane components.

"It makes it possible, for example, to postpone certain overhaul of a crane if the data show that it's been used less than the estimated life time. 

The number of active TRUVIEW connections is continuously rising. The data are gathered worldwide and automatically analyzed and compiled for clear reports in the remote centers.

Konecranes is developing a family of remote services, TRUCONNECT, to help customers make optimal use of their lifting devices. The first services launched are named TRUVIEW and TRUCARE.

"The core strength of Konecranes, extending also to remote services, is the company's global service network, consisting of more than 3,500 service technicians, in 46 countries. We are by far the biggest crane manufacturer to offer remote services for its lifting devices internationally. Our service technicians combine old-school handicraft with new enabling technology such as TRUCONNECT. This combination can earn huge money for our customers."

Bennifits from a full service package
TRUCARE is a five-year full-service package that Konecranes offers with new industrial CXT cranes that are still within their warranty period. TRUCARE always includes TRUVIEW, and for a fixed monthly fee it covers all necessary maintenance activities and spare parts for five years.

"It means, in fact, that we share the financial risk with the customer," says Mattheiszen.

He continues: "As long as the equipment is used properly, we cover all the costs of necessary maintenance and spare parts. The price for TRUCARE is transparent and based to some extent on the estimated use of the crane."

Härkönen emphasizes that Konecranes has developed the remote service technology for one purpose alone: to give the customers new opportunities to enhance their business operations. He says: "We have now taken the first steps related to remote services, and several new maintenance products and services are in the pipeline."

Konecranes in profile
Konecranes is a world-leading group of Lifting Businesses™, serving a broad range of customers, including manufacturing and process industries, shipyards, ports and terminals. Konecranes provides productivity-enhancing lifting solutions as well as services for lifting equipment and machine tools of all makes. In 2010, Group sales totaled EUR 1,546 million. The Group has almost 11,200 employees at 578 locations in 46 countries. Konecranes is listed on the NASDAQ OMX Helsinki (symbol: KCR1V).

For further information, e-mail: jenni.hellman@konecranes.com or view website: www.konecranes.com

New power supply improves efficiency and reliability of wind turbines

PULS UK has announced the introduction of its PAS395 power supply developed to charge the latest super-capacitors used to power wind turbine pitch control systems. Super-capacitors (electrical double-layer capacitors) are rapidly replacing the lead acid batteries previously used to drive the powerful motors controlling the giant turbine blades.

PULS's PAS395 delivers a high-charging current - a two-Farad capacitor will be fully charged in five minutes - and the unit's high efficiency means that very little heat is generated. Once charging is complete the charger automatically switches to Energy Saving Mode to reduce power losses. The PAS395 can operate in ambient temperatures of between -40°C to +65°C and at an altitude of up to 6,000 metres, making it suitable for all climatic conditions and locations. Remote monitoring and control are standard features.

The PAS395 weighs in at only 2.3kg and measures 310 x 154 x 80mm. It can be mounted in any orientation to allow easy installation even in confined areas.

Pitch control systems are housed within the spinner of the turbine and revolve at around 30 cycles per minute, so using conventional lead acid batteries presents a risk of acid spillage and poor reliability. Switching to super- capacitors improves efficiency, extends service life and consequentially reduces maintenance costs.

PULS's Managing Director Harry Moore said, "The demand for clean energy and more efficient ways of producing it is increasing across the globe. Using super-capacitors rather than batteries to control turbine pitch is a major step forward for the wind power industry and the PSA395 will play an important role in improving efficiency and reliability." 

For further information, e-mail: ellie.jones@puls.co.uk or view website: www.puls.co.uk