DESIGN AND FABRICATION OF FUELESS DEWATERING MACHINE FOR SMALL AND MEDIUM SCALE MINERS

Abstract

: Small and medium scale miners have been faced with the challenge of dewatering blastholes effectively and efficiently at a low cost. This work therefore designed and fabricated a fueless dewatering machine for removing water from drilled holes, prior blasting. The machine was designed using AutoCad software. All components were fabricated, using local materials, then carefully assembled in reality, meeting all engineering requirements. The locally sourced materials used include various metals, rubber tires, plastics, valves, PVC pipes, bearings and others. The fabrication was done using the lathe machine, welding machine and other workshop equipment. The operations involved employed during the fabrication process includes: cutting, sizing, shaping, turning, riveting, annealing, heat treatment, boring, and welding among other operations. The testing and evaluation of the machine performance showed that it has an average discharge of 0.27L/s (16.2L/min), an average volumetric efficiency of 86% and an average mechanical efficiency of 76%. The machine is a dual working machine; which means it can dewater two blastholes at the same time, making it capable of pumping 32.4 liters of water in a minute. It was also evaluated that mining firms can save up to about N324,000 annually if the machine is used in place of fuel pumps. During the testing and evaluation, it was discovered that the machine will also find application in other areas like mineral processing and in-pit pumping of mine water. In addition to a manual operation, the machine can be solar powered. The machine emits zero carbon.

 

KEYWORDS: Dewatering, Blasthole, fabrication, Drilling and Blasting, Machine