Increase Mine Safety, Productivity and Profitability with the Latest Technology

A technology that is being utilizing more frequently throughout the mining industry is Fiber Optic Sensing. It is the most technologically advanced method to monitor conveyor and power cable health. On a conveyor belt, a fiber optic sensing system can detect idlers that have failed or will soon fail (up to 20 days in advance), identifies the exact location of each idler and reports it to the control system or operator. This type of predictive maintenance saves thousands. The Praetorian Fiber Optic Sensing System developed by Hawk Measurement Systems (HAWK) also has the ability to detect conveyor fires, reports in real-time and can monitor up to 50miles (80km).

Another application that mines are utilizing fiber optic sensing technology is monitoring buried and unburied data cables, wires and power transmission lines. Monitoring for wear, damage or corrosion of the cable is extremely difficult and often power failure or data outage is the first sign of a problem. These cables are typically installed in areas that have multiple uses by various stake holders and in the event of a failure can be logistically difficult and expensive to access for repair. The Praetorian Fiber Optic Sensing System can be installed either near the power cables or embedded within the power cable itself. It can monitor disturbances, identify manual and machine excavation, vehicle movement, ground condition assessment and detects hotspots. HAWK’s Fiber Optic Sensing System requires no additional field infrastructure such as power or communication and does not require maintenance or calibration after commissioning. This type of real-time intelligent monitoring is critical to operating efficiently and protecting valuable assets.

Rather than traditional point instruments, HAWK’s Fiber Optic Sensing System is distributed alongside the equipment, thereby the entire cable is able to sense disturbances to the application. The intuitive fiber optic system can sense sound (acoustics and vibration), acting as a hyper sensitive microphone at every point in the fiber, listening for potential problems. It can also sense temperature, acting as a thermometer to detect heat or thermocouple at every point along the fiber, feeling for potential problems. The fiber optic system can also sense strain, detecting tiny changes in stress and strain in the application therefore predicting breakages and failures before they have a chance to occur.

HAWK’s Praetorian Fiber Optic System is modular in design and can monitor up to 50 miles (80km) at the same time. With its flexible design, the fiber optic system has the ability to be routed around an entire plant or operations to cover multiple conveyors, pipelines, fencing, or power cables. HAWK’s Fiber Optic System is built with self-diagnostics to monitor the unit’s condition and maintain optimum performance. The Praetorian Fiber Optic Sensing System removes the requirement for ongoing periodic inspections, keeps operators safe, equipment running smoothly and eliminates costly downtime.

Hawk Measurement Systems (HAWK), a world leader in level, positioning, asset monitoring and flow measurement technology, provides cutting-edge equipment and complete solutions to the mining industry and the global industrial market. HAWK specializes in reliable and continuous level measurement in storage silos, on conveyor belts, clarifiers, crushers and blocked chute detection with the ability to send real-time data to a computer, control room, or smartphone. HAWK has a long history of success in the harshest of environments and applications. HAWK has won several prestigious awards for their breakthrough technologies.

Some of these technologies include Acoustic Wave, Ultrasonic, Microwave, Radar, and Fiber Optic Sensing. HAWK designs and develops innovative measurement technology that is extremely reliable and accurate, simple to install, easy to operate and offers maximum efficiency. The mining industry presents unique challenges due to dust, mud, impact, abrasion and build-up of material on sensors and plant, which HAWK has successfully solved for over 30 years. HAWK is committed to providing best-in-class products, services and technologies that will have unsurpassed value for their customers.

HAWK currently has two manufacturing facilities, headquarters in Melbourne, Australia and the USA manufacturing facility in Medina, Ohio.

Tel Aus: +61 (0)3 9873 4750

Tel US: +1 (888) 429-5538

Web: www.hawkmeasurement.com