Development of a Mine Rescue Drilling System (MRDS)

Technical Report · Sun Jun 01 00:00:00 EDT 2014

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/1177065· OSTI ID:1177065

Raymond, David W. ^[1]; Gaither, Katherine N. ^[1]; Polsky, Yarom ^[1]; Knudsen, Steven D. ^[1]; Broome, Scott Thomas ^[1]; Su, Jiann-Cherng ^[1]; Blankenship, Douglas A. ^[1]; Costin, Laurence S. ^[1]

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1. Sandia National Lab. (SNL-NM), Albuquerque, NM (United States)

Sandia National Laboratories (Sandia) has a long history in developing compact, mobile, very high-speed drilling systems and this technology could be applied to increasing the rate at which boreholes are drilled during a mine accident response. The present study reviews current technical approaches, primarily based on technology developed under other programs, analyzes mine rescue specific requirements to develop a conceptual mine rescue drilling approach, and finally, proposes development of a phased mine rescue drilling system (MRDS) that accomplishes (1) development of rapid drilling MRDS equipment; (2) structuring improved web communication through the Mine Safety & Health Administration (MSHA) web site; (3) development of an improved protocol for employment of existing drilling technology in emergencies; (4) deployment of advanced technologies to complement mine rescue drilling operations during emergency events; and (5) preliminary discussion of potential future technology development of specialized MRDS equipment. This phased approach allows for rapid fielding of a basic system for improved rescue drilling, with the ability to improve the system over time at a reasonable cost.

• Research Organization: Sandia National Lab. (SNL-NM), Albuquerque, NM (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA)
• DOE Contract Number: AC04-94AL85000
• OSTI ID: 1177065
• Report Number(s): SAND2014-2424; 532932
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

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