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102 Bales Drive P.O. Box 93089
Newmarket, ON L3Y 8K3 CA
Tel: (905) 898-4889
Fax: (905) 898-2822
info@technicore.ca |
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Video (724kb)
Video (71kb)
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Video (648kb)
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| Controlled Foam Injection |
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The method utilizes the proprietary and patent protected
Controlled Foam Injection (CFI) technique to fracture rock and concrete. The
use of high-pressure foam as the fracturing medium completely eliminates the
airblast, flyrock and toxic fume problems associated with explosive based
techniques. The CFI method may be used in very close proximity to personnel,
sensitive structures or equipment. The controlled breakage characteristic of
the CFI method allows for rock removal to very precise dimensions with
minimal damage to the remaining rock. All the process byproducts are
environmentally benign and completely biodegradable.
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Principles of the CFI method
The CFI method is based upon the use of high-pressure foam to
initiate, pressurize and propagate controlled fracturing in rock and
concrete. An injection barrel, incorporating a proprietary hole-bottom seal,
is used to inject high-pressure foam into the bottom of a pre-drilled hole
in the rock or concrete to be broken as indicated in the animation at right.
The high viscosity of the foam (as compared to a gas) combined with its
stored energy characteristics (as compared to a liquid) result in very
controlled and efficient breakage. The foam pressures required to break rock
or concrete are significantly less than required in explosive or propellant
based methods. Consequently, airblast and flyrock are reduced to very benign
levels, allowing the method to be applied in a continuous manner and to be
used in urban and other sensitive environments. The hardware for the CFI
fracture of rock or concrete may be readily mounted on a conventional
articulated boom for application to excavation and/or demolition operations.
A percussive drill may be incorporated on the same boom carrying the CFI
hardware so that hole drilling, indexing for injection barrel placement and
breakage can be carried out in a systematic and automatic manner. The CFI
method is well suited for automation. The flexibility of the method (in
terms of hole depth and foam pressure, quality and viscosity) allows it to
be tailored to rapidly changing ground conditions or a variety of breakage
conditions. The benign nature of the airblast and flyrock of the CFI
fracturing method allows drilling, breakage, mucking, ground support and
haulage equipment to remain at the working point or face during rock
excavation operations. The CFI method is ideally suited for any excavation
or breakage situation where conventional explosive methods are precluded,
whether for environmental, legal or public concern reasons.
Applications of CFI breakage
The proprietary foam-based CFI method can be used in a broad
variety of specialty drilling and excavation situations. The method is
ideally suited for the demolition of oversized boulders encountered in both
construction and mining operations. The CFI method can be used to develop
trenches for utility or pipe lines or caisson shafts for bridges and power
line towers. The method can be used to excavate utility tunnels under
existing streets and buildings, to provide access tunnels or shafts to
existing subway systems, or to create or enlarge underground space for
buildings. In underground mining operations, the CFI method can be used for
selective mining or for mine development in unstable ground. As the method
imparts negligible damage to remaining rock, the need for ground support can
be significantly reduced. The CFI method is useful for demolishing or
stripping concrete structures when explosive methods are precluded or where
salvage and recycling of building or structure components are desirable. As
the method causes no damage to remaining concrete, repairs to concrete
structures may be made efficiently and economically.
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