Sandvik Mining and Rock Technology has introduced two solutions which it says reduce noise emissions in surface top hammer drilling.
The main source of noise from a top hammer drill rig is the rock drill itself, which accounts for up to 75% of the total sound power level from a drill rig. The NoiseGuard-DXi and NoiseShield-DC reduce the sound level around the drill rig by isolating the rock drill and rod handling system inside a noise-suppressing structure. Both solutions are effective at suppressing the most disturbing drilling noise frequencies, between 2,500 and 10,000 Hz, the company adds.
Sandvik's NoiseGuard-DXi reduces noise emissions from Ranger DXi series drill rigs (max. 27 kW rock drill, recommended hole diametre 51–127 mm / 2”–5”) designed for construction applications and quarries. The solution is a fully enclosed structure that provides up to -12.9 dB noise reduction in A-weighted sound pressure within a 16-metre radius of the rig. In this measuring distance, the noise reduction compared to unmitigated sound pressure is up to 95%. The NoiseGuard-DXi option comes with a camera system that provides visually aided drilling when the structure doors are closed. Additionally, it has a single-bolt dismantling design for fast and easy maintenance on the feed system.
The NoiseShield-DC is a compact solution for the smaller, cabinless Dino DC410Ri drill rigs (14 kW rock drill, recommended hole diameter 51–76 mm / 2”–3”) that excel in urban worksites. NoiseShield-DC offers up to a -7.5 dB reduction in A-weighted sound pressure by directing the drilling noise upwards through an open top, away from the operator and surrounding areas. This reduction translates to an 82% mitigation in noise pressure within a 16-metre radius of the drill rig.
For noise reduction for the classic Ranger DX series drill rigs, a solution called NoiseGuard-DX has been successful in the market for several years.
