THE TRANSPORTATIONS OF TUNNEL MUCK BY PIPELINE

The view reflected herein is that if the advancement of the technology of muck removal does not keep pace with advances in tunneling machine technology, muck removal can become the limiting constraint on the forward movement of the tunnel face, and hence on the growth of tunneling. The objective of this study is to advance the technology of tunnel excavation by increasing the rate of muck removal from the tunnel face. The highlights in this report are on muck haulage systems by pipeline, and the emphasis is on investigating better techniques and technology, rather than costs. This report updates muck quantities and to some extent muck quality (in terms of its hardness and geology). Crushing equipment is examined as it extensible conveyor belt equipment. A survey of extensible equipment is made to aid in suggesting approaches for their application in tunnels to pipeline much haulage. Recent headloss data for coarse slurries are presented for the hydraulic muck haulage system. Consideration is given to a jet pump eductor for feeding a centrifugal pump from a mixing tank. A more compact and less expensive dewatering system is also analyzed. Appendixes A through D provide background material for the systems and concepts herein and include: Penumatic Pipeline Systems, CONOCO-CONSOL System, Dewatering Equipment, and Coal Hoisting in the U.K. A previous and related study, "Pneumatic-Hydraulic Material Transport System for the Rapid Excavation of Tunnels" (DOT-TSC-75-17), suggested a transportation system for muck haulage with a pneumatic pipeline or a slurry pipeline. /UMTA/

  • Availability:
  • Supplemental Notes:
    • Sponsored by the Department of Transportation, Urban Mass Transportation Administration. Under contract to the Transportation Systems Center.
  • Corporate Authors:

    Colorado School of Mines

    Division of Engineering, 1500 Illinois Street
    Golden, CO  United States  80401
  • Authors:
    • Faddick, R R
    • Martin, J W
  • Publication Date: 1978-1

Media Info

  • Pagination: 178 p.

Subject/Index Terms

Filing Info

  • Accession Number: 00178801
  • Record Type: Publication
  • Source Agency: Urban Mass Transportation Administration
  • ISBN: MA-06-0025
  • Report/Paper Numbers: UMTA-MA-06-0025-78-4Final Rpt.
  • Contract Numbers: DOT-TSC-1114
  • Files: TRIS, USDOT
  • Created Date: Sep 14 1978 12:00AM