Evaluation of the Performance of Atlas Copco SDR4 Rotary Drill In Sagamu Limestone Formation, Nigeria

• B. Adebayo

  Department of Mining Engineering, Federal University of Technology, Akure

This paper deals with the estimation of performance of rotary drill (Atlas Copco SDR4) in a limestone formation. Rock samples were collected from four different faces exploited at Sagamu Limestone Quarry. These samples were tested in the laboratory for uniaxial compressive, point load strength index and tensile strength. The chemical composition of the samples was determined using X-Ray Fluorescence spectrometer. Also, penetration rate and drill bit consumption were determined by measuring blast-hole with time taken and the length of worn bit button as drilling progresses for each of the blast-holes respectively.  The results obtained revealed that Mogaji end has highest values of 105.97 MPa, 3.65 MPa, 5.30 MPa for uniaxial compressive, point load and tensile strength respectively. Results also revealed that Mogaji end is the most abrasive of the Sagamu limestone formation having the highest values of Equivalent Quartz Content (EQC) and Rock Abrasivity Index (RAI) of 35.079% and 37.17% respectively. Analysis of the drilling cost of the different faces showed that Mogaji end was the most costly to drill with drilling cost of N 2,951.54/m and the least drilling cost was recorded at the Sagamu end with the drilling cost of N1, 822.12/m. The lowest penetration rate and highest bits consumption were recorded at Mogaji end. Thus, the Atlas Copco SDR 4 rotary drill best performance was achieved at Sagamu end where the rock has lowest values of strength parameters and Rock Abrasivity Index while the rotary drill performance was poorest at Magaji end where the rock has highest values of strength parameters and Rock Abrasivity Index were recorded.

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