Optimisation of ash stockpile height to minimise haul truck diesel costs

[Nate1093]

Hi,

How would I find out the optimum height of an ash stockpile in order to minimize diesel haulage costs, for a CAT haul truck?

My stockpile height is to be between 25m to 50m.

I have worked out the fuel consumption and time taken from the start point to the haulage area, based on required speeds obtained from the Rimpull-speed-gradeability curves for that particular CAT truck. But I'm not sure how to relate this to the optimum stockpile height.

Any advice?

Thanks,

 

[Artisi]

Really out of my field, but it would seem that reducing the height would increase the travel distance - so, the incline influences the fuel consumption - there must be a trade-off somewhere less incline greater distance to be travelled, steeper climb - less distance. Does the greater / lesser distance dramatically impact of engine power /fuel consumption requirements?

It is a capital mistake to theorise before one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit theories, instead of theories to suit facts. (Sherlock Holmes - A Scandal in Bohemia.)

 

[miningman]

Not sure if this comment is relevant but on a vaguely similiar exercise a few years ago , I managed to prove that INCREASING the fuel consumption optimised my haulage costs. This is because the cost of fuel is a very small part of the total operating cost. Ash must have a very low specific gravity. Have you examined putting larger boxes onto your fleet??

 

[capliard]

For a small stockpile, I would start by determining bench height. Then determine reasonable area for machinery on top bench. Then work my way down bench by bench until I have volume I need. Then make sure a ramp at 10% grade can go around it.

For a large stockpile, say a mining wastepile for planned pit, geotechnical eng. will determine bench height and maximum number of lifts. I do not see where diesel is an issue. If the facility is to be rehabilitated at end of mine, footprint is really the issue here.

capliard

Ingenieur Minier. QuTbec, Canada.

 

[dvd]

Here is an interesting link that may be helpful - Caterpillar Haul Road Design

I have a friend who has expertise at economic justifications for conveying versus truck hauling, especially for materials such as CCR. You might think about some conveying solutions to allow a steeper angle. Haul trucks to pile and then conveying. Depends on your budget. Operating budget versus capital expenditure.