MineARC Systems
SH-PL w/ Vestibule
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Chemical processing facilities handle an assortment of products that can be harmful to workers lives if released into the atmosphere.
Chemical processing facilities handle an assortment of products that can be harmful to workers lives if released into the atmosphere. A Powerless MineARC Systems Safe Haven (SH-PL) is purpose built for surface facilities and provides immediate refuge in the event of an accidental release or explosion.
The Powerless Safe Haven incorporating an entry airlock/vestibule performs all of the essential life support systems as the electrically powered model, yet each system is 'intrinsically safe' (requires no electrical power to operate). The airlock/vestibule offers added protection against the possible influx of noxious gases. A MineARC Safe Haven is designed to be portable and easy to move with fork lift slots, towing and lifting eyes, and skid base. The safe haven is designed to be located in close proximity to high risk work areas and will withstand an explosion up to 5psi (34kPa) as specified by the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) “Design of Blast Resistant Buildings in Petrochemical Facilities”.
The positively pressurized safe haven provides a fully sealed barrier to eliminate entry of gases from the external atmosphere. The internal atmosphere is controlled by oxygen cylinders and MineARC’s powerless carbon dioxide scrubber / air conditioning system - the MARCis. Fixed gas monitoring provides real time read-outs of both the internal and external gas levels as well as optional remote monitoring.
Stand-alone the safe haven will provide workers with a safe environment for a minimum of 12 hours. Units can be tailored to site requirements and including upsized explosion rating.
6MM (1/4") STEEL CONSTRUCTION
The CoalSAFE is built from 6mm (1/4") steel plate with pressed sections and minimised joints. Reinforced with 100mm (4") PFC for extra strength and protection, the CoalSAFE is 15 PSI Explosion Proof. For additional protection, rubber bolsters can be added to all four corners
The CoalSAFE is fitted with a skid base, IT fork slots, lifting lugs and towing points for easy transportation
AIR LOCK
Depending on the industry, the type of mine/operation and the country/region, the airlock is either a mandatory or an optional feature. MineARC representatives can assist you with information on the guidelines and legislation relevant to you.
MineARC's airlock system incorporates a double-door design and push-button flushing, with occupancy varying depending on the size of the refuge chamber and client specifications. The entry door opens externally due to positive pressure from the airlock flushing system. The airlock door opens inwards to the main refuge. Both doors have explosion proof portal windows for viewing into the airlock and main refuge.
Before entry of the airlock, the first flush is commenced by activating a push-button outside the refuge. The occupant then enters the airlock and activates the second push-button before entry into the main refuge.
The airlock compartment contains low pressure and high pressure cylinders which provide100% volume air exchange inside the airlock, with each flush. The standard airlock can operate for up to 60 flushes.
AIR SYSTEMS
A MineARC refuge chamber is fitted with three (3) separate air/oxygen supply systems. Should one supply fail or become exhausted, the next supply takes over:
1. Filtered and Silenced Compressed Air Supply ('Mine Air').
Under normal circumstances a MineARC refuge will be fitted to 'mains' air supply - providing a continuous supply of oxygen (O2) and automatically flushing the refuge of a build-up in CO/CO2 generated. The refuge is sealed air tight to achieve positive internal pressure, hence 'old' air continuously exits via the one-way vents at the front of the refuge.
The refuge is fitted for receiving mine air with the following components:
1" Pre Filter with Auto Drain; 1" Coalescing Filter with Auto Drain; 1" Absorption Filter with Auto Drain; Regulator and Silencer
2. Medical Grade Oxygen Cylinders
Should mine air fail, the CO/CO2 scrubbing system is activated and medical grade compressed oxygen (supplied in high pressure metal cylinders), are on hand to continue providing a steady supply of O2 to the refuge. Fitted with a standard regulator, the cylinder outputs can be adjusted to suit entrapment time and number of occupants
3. Oxygen Candle
Most MineARC refuge chambers are fitted with O2 candles as standard. Should all O2 cylinders become exhausted, each O2 candle will provide a minimum of 6 additional hours supply, based on a fully occupied 20 person refuge (the lower the occupancy, the greater supply and hence longer safe entrapment time). The candle is a solid block of chlorate chemical mixture, which upon ignition, produces high purity O2 in a controlled manner. They are commonly used in submarines, aerospace systems, personnel shelters and other safe havens. They have long shelf lives, occupy minimal space and require no maintenance. They are also safer in confined spaces than liquid or compressed O2.
INTRINSICALLY SAFE DESIGN
Every aspect of The CoalSAFE is design to be 'intrinsically safe' - that is, non-electrically powered, or 'powerless' as is often termed.
The importance of intrinsically safe design lies in the potential dangers of electrical equipment igniting coal dust residues and/or flammable gases, such as methane, present within the coal mine.
The CoalSAFE Refuge is currently the world's only fully intrinsically safe design to incorporate two of the most fundamental life support systems required for underground safe-refuge: CO/CO2 scrubbing and air conditioning/dehumidification. These vital functions are performed by the The MARCis™ - MineARC's revolutionary liquid CO2 powered scrubber unit with integrated air conditioning and dehumidification.
Lighting within the CoalSAFE is provided by high intensity Cyalume® glow sticks, which 'snap' activate and last for up to 6hrs each (MineARC provides enough glow sticks to last for the maximum entrapment duration, i.e. over 100hrs).
POWERLESS AIR CONDITIONING
MineARC recognises that artificially cooling the refuge's interior is essential. Aside from the effects of ambient (external) mine temperatures effecting the flow of transient heat in and out of the refuge, occupants themselves will generate between 120-180W of metabolic heat every hour. Independent testing has proved that without cooling, temperatures inside an occupied refuge can reach potentially fatal levels within just a few hours.
The MARCis™ is the world's first non-electrically powered (intrinsically safe) CO/CO2 scrubber with integrated air conditioning capabilities; representing a breakthrough in safe refuge technology.
Under normal circumstances the refuge is connected to mine/tunnel 'mains' air supply. Whilst connected, mains air cools the refuge as it passes through a special vortex within the refuge. However, should mains air supply be lost, The MARCis™ is activated - cooling and dehumidifying the refuge whilst also scrubbing the air of harmful CO/CO2. The MARCis™ is easy to operate and features four levels of scrubbing/cooling capacity.
Many industry Guidelines/Regulations around the world now state that the internal (apparent) temperature of a refuge must not rise above 30°C / 86°F, even at prolonged ambient (external) temperatures as high as 60°C / 140°F. Refuges fitted with The MARCis™ unit have been successfully tested to meet and exceed these standards
POWERLESS CO/CO2 SCRUBBING
MineARC’s 'Powerless' carbon dioxide (CO2) and carbon monoxide (CO) scrubbing system - The MARCis™, requires no electrical power to operate, and is instead powered by liquid CO2.
The active scrubbing system is designed to remove the build up of these potentially harmful gases from the air inside the refuge. The build up in CO/CO2 is caused by the occupants themselves - as they exhaust oxygen (O2) and replace with CO/CO2. Gas levels inside the refuge are measured as a percentage (%) and in PPM (Parts Per Million). Without scrubbing, the levels of CO/CO2 inside an occupied refuge can prove potentially fatal in just a matter of hours.
MineARC developed The MARCis™ to provide occupants with ease of use, extended time periods between chemical change outs, and varying levels of scrubbing capacity.
MARCISORB 1000 (CO) and MARCISORB 1500 (CO2) pre-filled chemical cartridges provide proven absorbing capabilities and are easy to handle and install into The MARCis™. Sealed in a barrier film bag the cartridges will store efficiently for long periods of time without degradation or requiring any maintenance.
SCRUBBER CHEMICAL CARTRIDGES
MARCISORB 1000 (CO) and MARCISORB 1500 (CO2) pre-filled chemical cartridges provide proven absorbing capabilities and are easy to handle and install into the scrubbing system. Sealed in a barrier film bag the cartridges will store efficiently for long periods of time without degradation or requiring any maintenance
THE MARCIS™
The MARCis™ is the world's first non-electrically powered (intrinsically safe) CO/CO2 scrubber with integrated air conditioning capability; representing a breakthrough in safe refuge technology.
Under normal circumstances a MineARC refuge is connected to the mine’s 'mains' air supply. By way of acheiving positive internal pressure, connecting to mine air will automatically flush the refuge of harmful CO/CO2 gases, whilst also cooling the refuge as it passes through a special vortex. However, should mine air be lost, The MARCis™ is activated - scrubbing the air of harmful CO/CO2 whilst also cooling and dehumidifying the refuge. Powered by liquid CO2 cylinders, The MARCis™ is easy to operate and features four levels of scrubbing/cooling capacity.
To maintain adequate internal oxygen levels, medical grade oxygen cylinders and oxygen candles (if provided) are to be activated inside the refuge (see Air Systems).
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