A Preliminary Feasibility Study for Transporting Surat Basin Export Coal Using Maglev Technology
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University of Southern Queensland Faculty of Health, Engineering and Sciences A Preliminary Feasibility Study For Transporting Surat Basin Export Coal Using Maglev Technology A dissertation submitted by Mr Bryan Freeman In fulfilment of the requirements of Bachelor of Civil Engineering November 2013 1 Abstract Australia is one of the world's largest exporters of coal and many mining companies are interested in the coal rich Surat Basin. The problem is that this land is currently inaccessible as there is no feasible transportation infrastructure. Currently there is a joint venture by mining and rail companies to construct the Surat Basin Rail Link which will connect the Surat Basin to Gladstone Port. This proposal is restricted to exporting only 42 Mtpa as any increase in the volume of coal will drastically raise overall costs. The coal export volume from the Surat Basin could be drastically increased with a strong coal demand, as shown from the large amount of mining interest and planned coal mines. This report aims to complete a prefeasibility study for transporting Surat Basin export coal with Magnetically Levitated Trains (Maglev) as an alternative to Rail if higher export volumes are required. Maglev is considered an alternative proposal primarily as it has high potential for cost savings in the future for transporting high volumes over long distances. Currently there is no publically released documentation surrounding the transportation of coal using Maglev technologies. This provides an exciting opportunity to conduct investigations for the operational, technical and financial feasibility, giving future engineers guidance if this technology becomes feasible. In both the technical and financial feasibility aspects, it is evident that Maglev is not currently feasible compared to conventional rail, as there are no designs of Maglev to transport coal. Preliminary designs completed explain how the primary design concerns are overcome, underlining that once detailed designs have been completed Maglev transporting coal can be technically feasible. While the German Transrapid Maglev is currently the most feasible model it is not financially viable. The expected release of the Japanese MLX in 2025 will have increased characteristics and properties, and lower operational costs. With projected future Maglev technology transporting 75 Mtpa of export coal from the Surat Basin to Gladstone Port, it will have a yearly saving of $532 million dollars. From these savings Maglev's high capital cost will only require 19 years of operation to breakeven to Rail's total cost. For these projected Maglev characteristics to occur, advancements such as improving superconductor technology is required. It is only after these technological advances, that Maglev will be a feasible alternative solution to Rail for transporting coal. In the near future Maglev may become a feasible alternative if the current delays continue to prevent the Surat Basin Rail Link from being approved. 2 University of Southern Queensland Faculty of Health, Engineering & Sciences ENG4111/2 Research Project Limitations of Use The Council of the University of Southern Queensland, its Faculty of Health, Engineering & Sciences, and the staff of the University of Southern Queensland, do not accept any responsibility for the truth, accuracy or completeness of material contained within or associated with this dissertation. Persons using all or any part of this material do so at their own risk, and not at the risk of the Council of the University of Southern Queensland, its Faculty of Health, Engineering & Sciences or the staff of the University of Southern Queensland. This dissertation reports an educational exercise and has no purpose or validity beyond this exercise. The sole purpose of the course pair entitled “Research Project” is to contribute to the overall education within the students chosen degree program. This document, the associated hardware, software, drawings, and other material set out in the associated appendices should not be used for any other purpose: if they are so used, it is entirely at the risk of the user. Dean Faculty of Health, Engineering & Sciences 3 Candidates Certification I certify that the ideas, designs and experimental work, results, analysis and conclusions set out in this dissertation are entirely my own effort, except where otherwise indicated and acknowledged. I further certify that the work is original and his not been previously submitted for assessment in any other course or institution, except where specifically stated. Name: Bryan Ian Freeman Student Number: 0061005210 ___________________________ Signature 22/10/2013 ____________________________ Date 4 Acknowledgements The writer would like to take this opportunity to gratefully acknowledge the assistance and contribution of all who have assisted in the development of this report. I would like to thank Trevor Drysdale who was my supervisor. He gave me the freedom to carry out this Thesis proposal of my choosing while keeping me on track throughout the semester. Also thanks to Mr Hill my year 12 physics teacher who introduced me to Maglev and Superconductors. Also thanks to Ron Ayres for directing my vision on a practical and relevant problem. Finally and most importantly I would like to thank my family and friends who have supported me over the course of the year giving me the motivation to keep achieving the best every day. 5 Table of Contents Abstract ............................................................................................................................. 2 Limitations of Use ............................................................................................................. 3 Candidates Certification .................................................................................................... 4 Acknowledgements ........................................................................................................... 5 Table of Contents .............................................................................................................. 6 List of Figures ................................................................................................................. 10 List of Tables................................................................................................................... 12 List of Appendices .......................................................................................................... 13 Chapter 1: Introduction ................................................................................................... 14 1.1 Background............................................................................................................ 14 1.2 Research Objectives .............................................................................................. 15 Chapter 2: Literature Review - Maglev Transportation .................................................. 17 2.1 Introduction ........................................................................................................... 17 2.2 Prominent Maglev Trains ...................................................................................... 18 2.2.1 Electromagnetic Suspension (EMS) ............................................................... 21 2.2.2 Electrodynamic suspension (EDS) ................................................................. 22 2.2.3 Inductrack and other systems .......................................................................... 24 2.3 Key Features of Maglev Train Systems ................................................................ 25 2.3.1 Propulsion ....................................................................................................... 25 2.3.2 Lateral Guidance ............................................................................................. 27 2.3.3 Transfer of Energy to Vehicles ....................................................................... 29 2.4 Identification of present advantages and disadvantages of Maglev ...................... 31 2.5 Australia’s Involvement ........................................................................................ 33 2.6 Research areas for the improvement of Maglev Trains......................................... 34 2.6.1 Development of modified superconducting magnets refrigeration system .... 34 2.6.2 Electromagnetic coil design ............................................................................ 35 2.6.3 Development of Maglev superconducting magnet vibration characteristics .. 35 2.7 Future Potential of Maglev .................................................................................... 36 Chapter 3: Methodology and Quantitative Data ............................................................. 37 3.1 Methodology.......................................................................................................... 37 Chapter 2: Literature Review ................................................................................... 37 Chapter 3: Quantitative Data ................................................................................... 37 Chapter 4: Qualitative Data ..................................................................................... 38 6 Chapter 5: Design .................................................................................................... 38 Chapter 6: Preliminary Financial Feasibility Model Results ................................... 38 Chapter 7: Viability Discussion