How cost-effective is the use of CO2 rock blasting equipment in tunnel excavation?

1. Cost

Equipment purchase cost: The initial purchase cost of CO2 rock blasting equipment is at a medium level compared to traditional blasting equipment. Generally, a set of CO2 rock blasting equipment costs from tens of thousands to hundreds of thousands of yuan depending on different specifications and configurations. Compared with some high-end, highly automated traditional blasting equipment, its price is relatively low, and the equipment has a long service life. Under normal use and maintenance conditions, it can be used for many years, which can effectively amortize the purchase cost.

Consumables cost: The main consumables of CO2 rock blasting equipment are carbon dioxide gas and fracturing tubes. Carbon dioxide gas has a wide range of sources and is relatively cheap, usually ranging from a few yuan to more than ten yuan per cubic meter. The replacement cost of consumables such as fracturing tubes is also relatively low. Compared with consumables such as explosives used in traditional blasting, long-term use can save a lot of costs.

Safety cost: Traditional blasting operations have problems such as the difficulty in accurately controlling the explosive power of explosives and the easy occurrence of safety accidents, which may lead to casualties, equipment damage, etc., and subsequent safety compensation and equipment maintenance costs are high. The CO2 rock blasting equipment uses the gasification and expansion of liquid carbon dioxide to generate pressure to fracture rocks. There is no open flame or explosives, which greatly reduces safety risks, safety management costs and potential accident compensation costs.

Maintenance cost: The structure of the CO2 rock blasting equipment is relatively simple. It is mainly composed of a fracturing device, an inflator, etc. It does not have a complex mechanical transmission and electronic control system. Daily maintenance and maintenance are relatively convenient and the maintenance cost is low. Generally, it is only necessary to regularly check the sealing of the equipment, the connection of the pipeline, etc., and replace some wearing parts.

2. Efficiency

Fracture speed: The fracturing speed of the CO2 rock blasting equipment is relatively fast. It usually takes only a few seconds to tens of seconds from starting to completing the fracturing process. It can quickly break the rock and improve the efficiency of tunnel excavation. In some tunnel excavations of medium-hard rocks, the excavation progress can be achieved from several meters to more than ten meters per day, which is equivalent to or even higher than the efficiency of traditional blasting.

Operation continuity: The CO2 rock blasting equipment can achieve continuous operation. As long as the supply of carbon dioxide gas and the normal operation of the equipment are guaranteed, multiple fracturing operations can be performed in a short time. Unlike traditional blasting operations, which require a long preparation time and waiting time, it can effectively shorten the construction period.

Adaptability: CO2 fracturing equipment has good adaptability to rocks of different hardness and tunnels of different geological conditions. Whether it is soft rock or medium hard rock, it can achieve a good fracturing effect by adjusting the filling amount of CO2 and the layout of the fracturing pipe, avoiding the frequent replacement of construction equipment or adjustment of construction technology due to changes in geological conditions, and improving construction efficiency.

3. Environmental protection

Low dust pollution: Traditional blasting operations will generate a lot of dust, causing serious pollution to the construction site and the surrounding environment, which not only affects the health of construction workers, but also requires a lot of manpower and material resources for dust control. The amount of dust generated by the CO2 fracturing equipment during the fracturing process is relatively small, which can effectively reduce dust pollution and reduce the cost of environmental protection management.

Low noise pollution: The noise generated by the CO2 fracturing equipment during fracturing is much lower than that of traditional blasting, generally between several tens of decibels and more than one hundred decibels, which has little impact on the surrounding environment and residents, reducing disputes and compensation caused by noise nuisance, and is also conducive to the smooth progress of construction.