Archive for the ‘February’ Category

Publication: The Mining Chronicle
Date: 21 February 2011

Reynolds Soil Technologies (RST) train spray system technology is leading the way in dust control in the coal transportation industry, using 90 per cent less product than other systems.

The Queensland based innovator has developed a revolutionary train spray technology that effectively put a stop to coal ‘fly-aways’ during rail transportation, and is both eco-friendly and uses minimal product to get the job done. The mining services company identified a gap in the market for a long-wearing veneer crusting agent that requires less storage and packaging and significantly decreases transport and logistical expenses, ultimately minimising the carbon footprint of haulage companies.

Coal mines are said to lose in excess of $16 million in escapement of coal each year.

On large scale operations, dust suppression products may need to keep dust at bay for as many as two million rail wagons.

After observing the amount of product required for a typical rail transport project, RST set out to develop a more sustainable product while still achieving quality results.

RST’s technical and development director David Handel personally consulted chemical experts to develop an alternative and after nine months of rigorous testing, developed Superskin.

The ground breaking eco dust suppressant is now being integrated into the company’s spray system technologies to effectively treat mass coal movement, eliminating dust.

“Every year coal companies experience huge loss, a loss that coal mines can’t afford,” said Mr Handel.

“Together with Superskin and on-going technology and research, we are moving to put a stop to this loss.”

Mr Handel said some products on the market require a standard dosage rate of two per cent chemical applied to one litre.

Over a square metre, this equates to more than 2 million litres of chemical being shipped to coal facilities all over Queensland.

“Put simply in terms of transport, this means more than 100 semi trailers would be required to supply these chemicals,” he said.

“We have developed an application which uses significantly less product to achieve the exact same result – using only 200,000 litres of product, rather than two millions, which is 90 per cent less.

“In transport terms, we’re taking 10 semi trailers, not 100.” RST’s ‘green’ technology is exciting news not only for the industry, but also for the environment.

“Superskin also uses less raw materials and manufacturing costs, less packaging, freight and storage and of course less on site re-handling,” said Mr Handel.

“The biggest thing is protecting the environment. We, together with the mining companies, have an obligation to protect the environment and continue to develop eco-friendly, sustainable products.”

RST has more than 20 years experience in total dust management and soil erosion management. The Burleigh Heads based company designs, constructs and maintains all systems. With qualified site technicians managing each program, RST will implement continual improvement programs to ensure that all products and systems are supplying clients with optimum results.

Publication: The Mining Chronicle
Date: 18 February 2011

The Superskin technology from mining resource company Reynolds Soil Technologies (RST) is continuing to prove its worth in some of the most volatile environments across the country.

The most recent project involved the sealing of a major tailings dam on a remote gold mine near Kalgoorlie in Western Australia. The project saw RST assist in the care and maintenance of a 100 hectare tailings dam and effectively sealing the dam until it will be required for future use.

Superskin used 6000-litres of water to achive the required results at the Kalgoorlie project while tradition, long-wearing veneer crusting agents would use up to 60,000 litres to achieve the same results.

The works at the Kalgoorlie project followed studies undertaken by independent testing body, Introspec Consulting, which showed Superskin to be environmentally friendly, logistically efficiency and cost-effective.

The revolutionary oncept has set a new benchmark for veneer dust suppressants accros the industry by conserving more water, decreasing transport costs and cutting emissions.

RST business development manager Robert Baker said Superskin applications were now complete on the tailings dam, with everyone on site compltely satisfied with the results.

“We started applying the Superskin agent and virtually the following day we began to see results,” said Mr Baker.

“From the point of application we began to see the dust eliminating. It then began to form a crusting on the surface, eventually losing full moisture and drying out. Ultimately, it did ecactly what it was meant to do.

“We’ve applied the technology to over 100 hectares. Being such a large scale project, we were very pleased with the results.”

Traditional veneer treatments are designed to crust large areas for prolonged periods, requiring large volumes of product, excessive transport, storage and logistics on-site.

The Superskin studies were conducted in laboratories at the Tunra Bulk Solids Handling Research Associates centre at the University of Newcastle. Introspec researcher John Planner said the results of the Superskin technology during testing were impressive.

“The studies were conducted by setting up a series of wind tunnels simulating air flow over a stockpile or rail wagon, imitating operational transport” said Mr Planner.

“We prepared a sample at a dosage rate nominated by RST and applied one litre of product per square metre to the area, measuring dust lift off over an eight hour period.

“At the nominated dosage rate, Superskin was found to have zero per cent lift for the duration of the testing. It was effective at sealing the surface and was rsistant to wind impact, resulting in no airborne particles.”

RST technical and development director David Handel said the results shown by the Introspec studies are a huge vote of confidence for potential and existing clients.

“These findings are confirming what we already believed Superskin had the power to do and it gives much credence to support Superskin,” said Mr Handel.

“We are now starting to see these proven results on site, which is fantastic. There are a lot of areas that require this kind of product and there is certainly great potential for more jobs to come from the Kalgoorlie area.”

RST has more than 20 years experience in total dust management and sediment control.

The Burleigh heads-based company designs, constructus and maintains all systems.

With qualified site technicians managing each program, RST will implement continual improvement programs to ensure that all products and systems are supplying clients with optimal results.

Publication: The Mining Chronicle
Date: 2 February 2010

Australian owned Reynolds Soil Technologies (RST) have again proved that they are the experts in fine particle management, supplying leading edge technology to solve client’s dust, sediment and material handling problems.

RST began developing liquid soil modification technology 22 years ago, which changed and modified clay particles to reverse the way they react negatively to water. These products are now used globally to strengthen and stabilise unsealed roads, preventing them from failing in wet conditions.

With so much knowledge gained in working with the fine fractions of soil, RST later expanded into ‘dust control‘, developing a range of additivies and systems to suppress dust in the mining, civil and construction industries.

Further growth and expansion globally, particularly into regions that experience high rainfall periods, saw RST begin to see clients looking for solutions for sediment control and material handling problems relating to wet and sticky ‘fines’.

This lead to the realisation of total dines managmenet – with RST identifying the same ‘fines’ are at the cause of all problems. Put simply, fines are dust when dry and sediment when wet. By linking all problem areas back to dealing with and treating the fine fraction of any material, RST have proved themselves to be the leading solutions provider for all problems relating to dust, earth and water.

For more information please contact Reynolds Soil Technologies (07) 5522 0244.