Eyewash safety showers can be hazardous in remote  hot environments

More than half of the country’s coal mines are managed by pro-Russian separatist militia. Credit: DmyTo/Shutterstock.

The HTS safety shower chiller takes in hot water up to 50^oC from the potable main and adds enough chilled water to bring the temperature of the water down to be within the temperature range recommended for safe use. The HTS safety shower chillers can supply sufficient tepid water at 100 litres per minute for the minimum 15 minutes stipulated in the Australian standard.

The HTS Chiller has a recirculation facility to recirculate, cool and UV sterilize the water in the dead leg between the potable main and the chiller. There is also a facility to flush water from the potable main to the chiller at predetermined intervals.

Throughout Ukraine, the mining industry’s general debt is estimated to be $18.7m

More than half of the country’s coal mines are managed by pro-Russian separatist militia. Credit: DmyTo/Shutterstock.

During the first ten months of 2017, Ukraine spent $2.15bn on coal imports

The HTS emergency safety shower Chiller is a stainless steel clad insulated box comprising an unpressurised tank of chilled water, a chiller, a high pressure pump, a temperature modulating control mechanism and a recirculation system with a UV sterilizer. The chiller is located in the supply line between the potable main and one or more emergency safety deluge devices.

In use, the Chiller continuously regulates the temperature and sterilizes the potable water in the supply line between the chiller and the emergency deluge device and operates on demand to provide potable water with low levels of bacteria to deluge devices at a safe (tepid) temperature in the required flow rates for a minimum of fifteen minutes in accordance with Australian Standard AS4775.

Water from the potable main fills the insulated polymer tank through a solenoid valve operated by a controller utilising inputs from the low and high level switches in the tank. The vapour compression cycle chiller mounted above the chilled water tank chills and maintains the stored water at below 5^oC. On demand, the pressure switch in the chilled water supply line activates the constant pressure chilled water pump which injects high pressure chilled water from the chilled water tank into the potable water supply line to the emergency safety deluge device through an actuated temperature control valve. The temperature monitor which provided the signal for the valve controller is located downstream of the chilled water injection point and monitors the temperature of the water being delivered to the emergency deluge equipment. The temperature controller maintains the water supplied to the deluge device within the tepid range of 15.6^oC to 37.8^oC. A temperature switch located in the incoming potable water line isolates the chilled water pump if the incoming water temperature is below 37^oC.

Water in the deadleg supply line between the chiller and the emergency safety deluge device is recirculated through a UV sterilizer and a tempering valve with part of the flow passing through a cooling coil in the chilled water tank.

Water in the deadleg supply line between the potable main and the chiller is dumped periodically through a solenoid operated dump valve controlled by a programmable timer located in the electrical enclosure. The default setting on the timer is set to operate weekly for sufficient time to dump all the water in 100m of 25NB supply line.

The chiller is equipped with fault lights indicating the stored or circulated water temperature is too high and if the UV lamp has failed. There are also digital displays of incoming water temperature, stored water temperature and outgoing water temperature.

Ukraine’s miners have protested for years against lack of funds for investment. Credit: LongJon/Shutterstock.

HTS has recently introduced a new skid mounted “Plug and Play SC300” version of the eyewash safety shower chiller.

The SC300 model holds a 320L of chilled water in a 1200 x 1200 x 1950 galvanized steel framework which can be moved by pallet trolley, forklift or crane.

The SC300 can be supplied with a factory fitted integral eyewash safety shower The SC300 is ideally suited for situations when connecting new supply and return piping and a new power supply would be problematic.

Throughout Ukraine, the mining industry’s general debt is estimated to be $18.7m

More than half of the country’s coal mines are managed by pro-Russian separatist militia. Credit: DmyTo/Shutterstock.

Throughout Ukraine, the mining industry’s general debt is estimated to be $18.7m

Heat Trap has introduced a 340L reverse cycle heat pump water heater/chiller for residential applications in hot environments.

In summer the “Cool-Off” in chiller mode, provides 340L of chilled water, sufficient for 20 persons to have a cool shower every six hours.

In winter the reverse cycle “Cool-Off” in heater mode, provides 340L of 60^oC water for hot showers.

The “Cool-Off” tank is a corrosion free roto-moulded high density polyethylene tank insulated with factory injected polyurethane foam insulation and clad with weather resistant colorbond steel cladding.

The Heat Trap heat pump uses a blend of environment friendly hydrocarbon refrigerant which is 30% more efficient than the standard R410A refrigerant.

More than half of the country’s coal mines are managed by pro-Russian separatist militia. Credit: DmyTo/Shutterstock.

Ukrainian state mines currently employ 51,000 workers, and are the main source of employment in regions such as the Donetsk coal basin. Mine closures over the last few years have already decimated towns and the government does not desire to close more but there is little clarity on how to progress in a profitable and sustainable way.

“The development of state-owned mines is possible in a stable environment, but wages must be paid on time,” said Trade Union of Coal Industry Workers of Ukraine deputy chair Valery Mamchenko. “Last year, UAH2.8bn ($100m) was allocated for the development of the coal industry, including the wage fund, but this year the amount is less than half.”

Without communication with unions and workers, many fear that Ukraine’s coal mining industry will remain stuck in its cycle of non-payment, protests and emergency measures. “It is essential to pay wage arrears in full; stamp out corruption in the industry; appoint managers of enterprises and mines on merit alone; and establish an effective social dialogue with trade unions,” said the Independent Trade Union of Miners of Ukraine president Mychailo Volynets.

The next few years will determine the future of Ukraine’s mining industry; now is the time for the government to focus on and support coal communities. Whether or not mining is to continue to play an important part in Ukraine’s economy and the lives of its citizens, or if it is time for the subsidies to be reduced and new energy industries to be grown, a plan must be made.

Ukrainian state mines currently employ 51,000 workers, and are the main source of employment in regions such as the Donetsk coal basin. Mine closures over the last few years have already decimated towns and the government does not desire to close more but there is little clarity on how to progress in a profitable and sustainable way.

“The development of state-owned mines is possible in a stable environment, but wages must be paid on time,” said Trade Union of Coal Industry Workers of Ukraine deputy chair Valery Mamchenko. “Last year, UAH2.8bn ($100m) was allocated for the development of the coal industry, including the wage fund, but this year the amount is less than half.”

Without communication with unions and workers, many fear that Ukraine’s coal mining industry will remain stuck in its cycle of non-payment, protests and emergency measures. “It is essential to pay wage arrears in full; stamp out corruption in the industry; appoint managers of enterprises and mines on merit alone; and establish an effective social dialogue with trade unions,” said the Independent Trade Union of Miners of Ukraine president Mychailo Volynets.

The next few years will determine the future of Ukraine’s mining industry; now is the time for the government to focus on and support coal communities. Whether or not mining is to continue to play an important part in Ukraine’s economy and the lives of its citizens, or if it is time for the subsidies to be reduced and new energy industries to be grown, a plan must be made.

It is essential to pay wage arrears in full [and] stamp out corruption in the industry

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