12
a basal-supported diverter boot in a lateral cutout is shown
in Figure 7.
Suspension consists of support from the slickline itself
or from the back or ribs. Support from the line entails tabs
and connectors across the coupling which connects the
pipe and the diverter. Like all supports, these need to be
designed and fabricated for the load size as well as impact
and potentially a full pipe column. A back-supported
diverter boot is shown in Figure 8.
If the boot is supported from the back or ribs, the
ground should be characterized for behavior under load,
then bolted and supported accordingly. It is advisable to use
turnbuckles in the support components. They help balance
the ground loading and the support of the diverter boot.
Whether basal or suspended, it is prudent to build a
service deck for personnel to accomplish various tasks at the
diverter boot. The deck should have allowances for place-
ment and removal of the boot and handling the final dis-
charge hose.
It is prudent to have a properly sized and serviceable
sump to handle the transfer wash water, cleanout loads, and
occasional spill. If the ground wears easily, it is advisable
to construct an armored loadout apron (rail embedded in
concrete), also extending into the sump and its crowd wall
to prevent over digging.
It can be advisable to site high-pressure water at or near
the loadout station. That is to be used in boot/slickline clea-
nout as discussed in the following section. Stationary or
mobile configurations can be considered as appropriate to
overall mine service.
Washdown/Cleanout Provisions
At the surface station, washdown/cleanout provisions are
a mix of those for conventional material handling systems
and for the specific vertical transfer system. Though inci-
dental manual washdown with service water is useful, the
systems can be mechanized and automated to accommo-
date the transfer material as well as the volume of the indi-
vidual wash cycles.
At the underground station, washdown/cleanout pro-
visions are appropriate for spillage, dust generation, and
general cleanup. In normal operation, washdown of the
transfer line, diverter boot and discharge hose or pipe are
handled from the surface station.
In the event of a line hang-up or plug, diverter cleanout
from the underground station may be necessary. Typically,
that is done by lancing with high pressure water or air, with
immediate access from an inspection/maintenance deck.
The diverter may be equipped with injection ports for
clearing the upper portion of the diverter chamber and out
through the discharge. A diverter with a solid base can be
cleaned out from below with high pressure hose(s) run up
through the discharge orifice. If the final line is a material
handling hose, it may be decided to remove that hose and
insert the cleanout line directly into the diverter. A diverter
with a hinged or slide base provides for cleanout from the
base upward, which entails re-establishing the impact or
thrust mass with each cleanout. Running hose up through
either the discharge orifice or the base must be done with
appropriate shielding and attention to fall of material.
Conventional sewer cleanout hose with a cutter head can
be useful.
Hang-ups or plugs which cannot be handled by a
diverter cleanout are discussed in Maintenance Procedures –
Maintenance Procedures.
Controls/Communication
Communications are critical with these systems, within
and between stations and to related operations. A complete
communication grid provides for safe and efficient systems,
and is a critical support for operation and maintenance pro-
cedures. PLC controls and instrumentation can be applied
to these systems: interlocks, level sensors, sonic ears, vibra-
tion gauges, strain gauges, etc.
Figure 6. Borehole slickline charging hopper cap, Lucky
Friday Mine (Courtesy Hecla Mining Company, 2023
a basal-supported diverter boot in a lateral cutout is shown
in Figure 7.
Suspension consists of support from the slickline itself
or from the back or ribs. Support from the line entails tabs
and connectors across the coupling which connects the
pipe and the diverter. Like all supports, these need to be
designed and fabricated for the load size as well as impact
and potentially a full pipe column. A back-supported
diverter boot is shown in Figure 8.
If the boot is supported from the back or ribs, the
ground should be characterized for behavior under load,
then bolted and supported accordingly. It is advisable to use
turnbuckles in the support components. They help balance
the ground loading and the support of the diverter boot.
Whether basal or suspended, it is prudent to build a
service deck for personnel to accomplish various tasks at the
diverter boot. The deck should have allowances for place-
ment and removal of the boot and handling the final dis-
charge hose.
It is prudent to have a properly sized and serviceable
sump to handle the transfer wash water, cleanout loads, and
occasional spill. If the ground wears easily, it is advisable
to construct an armored loadout apron (rail embedded in
concrete), also extending into the sump and its crowd wall
to prevent over digging.
It can be advisable to site high-pressure water at or near
the loadout station. That is to be used in boot/slickline clea-
nout as discussed in the following section. Stationary or
mobile configurations can be considered as appropriate to
overall mine service.
Washdown/Cleanout Provisions
At the surface station, washdown/cleanout provisions are
a mix of those for conventional material handling systems
and for the specific vertical transfer system. Though inci-
dental manual washdown with service water is useful, the
systems can be mechanized and automated to accommo-
date the transfer material as well as the volume of the indi-
vidual wash cycles.
At the underground station, washdown/cleanout pro-
visions are appropriate for spillage, dust generation, and
general cleanup. In normal operation, washdown of the
transfer line, diverter boot and discharge hose or pipe are
handled from the surface station.
In the event of a line hang-up or plug, diverter cleanout
from the underground station may be necessary. Typically,
that is done by lancing with high pressure water or air, with
immediate access from an inspection/maintenance deck.
The diverter may be equipped with injection ports for
clearing the upper portion of the diverter chamber and out
through the discharge. A diverter with a solid base can be
cleaned out from below with high pressure hose(s) run up
through the discharge orifice. If the final line is a material
handling hose, it may be decided to remove that hose and
insert the cleanout line directly into the diverter. A diverter
with a hinged or slide base provides for cleanout from the
base upward, which entails re-establishing the impact or
thrust mass with each cleanout. Running hose up through
either the discharge orifice or the base must be done with
appropriate shielding and attention to fall of material.
Conventional sewer cleanout hose with a cutter head can
be useful.
Hang-ups or plugs which cannot be handled by a
diverter cleanout are discussed in Maintenance Procedures –
Maintenance Procedures.
Controls/Communication
Communications are critical with these systems, within
and between stations and to related operations. A complete
communication grid provides for safe and efficient systems,
and is a critical support for operation and maintenance pro-
cedures. PLC controls and instrumentation can be applied
to these systems: interlocks, level sensors, sonic ears, vibra-
tion gauges, strain gauges, etc.
Figure 6. Borehole slickline charging hopper cap, Lucky
Friday Mine (Courtesy Hecla Mining Company, 2023