Solutions for right-of-way clearing and levelling for pipeline projects René Albert Senior Applications Engineer
Solutions for right-of-way
clearing and levelling for
pipeline projects
René Albert
Senior Applications Engineer
Outline
• Vermeer Corporation
• Novelty
• Right-of-way (Row) clearing– Onsite
– Offsite
– Grinding/Chipping
– Biomass market trends
– In action
• ROW levelling (soil/rock, rock)– Surface mining
– Grade control and site positioning
– From design to execution
– Applications
– In action
Vermeer corporation
• Industrial and agricultural equipment
manufacturer
• Pella, Iowa - USA
• Founded 1948
• Family-owned
business– Third generation
– 2,500 employees
• Dealer network– Independent
– More than 600
locations globally
Markets served
• Agriculture
• Tree care
• Forestry management
• Recycling
• Utility installation
• Pipeline
• Surface mining
Theory?When we are able to explain everything while
nothing is working!
Practice?When everything works but nobody is able to
explain why!
• Definition: the quality of being new and unusual
• Theory and or practice– Sometimes discovered by accident
• Learn and assess from other industries– Forestry & Recycling
– Surface mining
ROW clearing
• Target– Clear flora from the right of way
• Flora– Trees
• Roots, trunks, slash
– Brush
• Technologies – Track mulching
– Grinders and chippers
• Environmental considerations– Natural recourse
– Local regulations and traditions
Flora processing
• Onsite• Mulch/Grind in place
• Condition with surface material
• Offsite• Grind/Chip/Screen in place or remotely
• End product
• Biomass
• Composting
• Fuel• Woodchips
• Pellets
• End product usage
• Compost
• Private and public heat and power generation
Grinding/Chipping• Principle
• Shredder, grinder: Non-uniform random-sized particles as a result
from ripping and shredding action
• Chipper: Uniform-sized material as a result from chipping action
Biomass market trends
• Rising demand– Everything, even slash, to be
processed
– Growing demand for pellets
• EU 20.5 million tons/year
– Importing from US
• Power plants– Processed
• Slash
• Trunk
• Root
Equipment suppliers
• Trend• Increased understanding and knowledge on the application and
equipment
• Conscience on the importance of: costs, equipment reliability,
durability and local service support
• Assess and communicate
• Cost of operation
• Cost of ownership
Onsite• Track mulching
• Use for clearing and maintenance
• Track undercarriage
• Grip at limited ground pressure
• 360-degree turning on the spot
• Grinding in place
Example
• WC2500XL
• Specifications• Dimensions
• Length: 3.9m
• Width: 249cm
• Height: 3.3m
• Weight: 14800kg
• Engine
• CAT C13: 330Kw
• Infeed opening
• Width: 86.4cm
• Height: 68.6cm
• Performance
ROW or Terrain levelling
• Target• Level ROW or work area
• ROW
• Work area (civil construction)
• Supply roads
• Camp areas
• Compressor stations
• Levelling
• Remove cut material above levelled plane
• Condition cut material• No need for foreign material
• Inclination control for drainage
• Surface• Soil and shallow rock
• Rock
• Technology• Surface excavation machine (SEM)
SEM
• Trencher tractor with cutting drum style attachment• Vermeer Terrain leveler® surface excavation machine
• 6 models
– Cutting width range: 259cm, 457cm
– Cutting depth range: 50cm, 81cm
– Engine power range: 260 kW, 900kW
• Cutting technology• Down cut
• Point load and scraping
• Onboard controllers• Automation SmartTEC
– Coach the operator
• Remote control
Grade control and site positioning• Options
• Onboard tilt sensors
• Laser
• GPS
• Single antenna
• Double antenna
From design to execution • 3D CAD
• Design transferred to control box on SEM
• Control box compares actual position with
design and automatically moves the drum in
the correct position– Precision (RTK)
• Elevation
• Location
Design
Solutions calculator
• Production estimates:• Rock properties
• Dedicated lab at factory
• UCS
• Tensile strength
• Energy index
– Vermeer
• Estimated cost
of operation
• Estimated cost
of ownership
LevellingRemove cut material
• Example: Limestone quarry Switzerland• 30 cm cut
• 2-degree slope for drainage
LevellingCondition cut material
• Example: Haul road Boke, West Africa• Surface (overburden and rock) cut up to 30 cm deep
• Cut material left in place
• Surface graded and compacted using traditional methods