Herrenknecht AG. products

Herrenknecht AVN machines (AVN is short for the German for Automatic Tunnelling Machine Wet) are slurry pressure shields, also known as slurry machines. Equipped with a cone crusher, AVN machines really come into their own in non-accessible tunnel diameters and ensure safe tunnelling. The slurry support of the tunnel face enables AVN machines to be used in all types of ground: from silt and clay to non-cohesive soils and gravel through to rock, both in pipe jacking and segmental lining.

In soft, cohesive soils, tunnel boring machines with earth pressure balance support are preferred. With so-called Earth Pressure Balance Shields (EPB), the loosened and conditioned soil acts as a plastic support medium to support the tunnel face. When the excavation chamber is completely filled, this prevents uncontrolled penetration of the soil into the machine and creates the conditions for fast and safe tunnelling. In addition, soil conditioning and technical innovations from Herrenknecht can be used to further expand the geological range of applications. This applies both to small excavation diameters in pipe jacking and to large and very large diameters in shield tunnelling.

The Mixshield technology developed by Herrenknecht is a further development of conventional slurry support technology. The support pressure is precisely adjusted using an automatically controlled air cushion. This means that heterogeneous geologies and high water pressures of up to more than 15 bar can also be safely managed, even with very large excavation diameters.

The BBM technology was developed by Herrenknecht for the rapid and safe construction of vertical and inclined raises or shafts, so-called slot holes. It can be used in stable rock formations and enables drilling diameters of up to 2.0 meters with a maximum drilling length of 70 meters. In developing this technology, a particular focus was placed on improved occupational safety, higher productivity and an optimum mobility of the rig. The time-consuming preparation measures required for conventional methods are no longer necessary.

For fast and safe installation of prefabricated linings in underground drifts. The newly developed Mine Lining Vehicle (MLV) is designed for the rapid and safe construction of lining arches in underground mines. The MLV enables mechanized installation of prefabricated elements and improves working conditions.

For the economical and safe excavation of ore passes and ventilation shafts. The Herrenknecht Boxhole Backreaming Machine (BBR) bores and reams ore passes and ventilation shafts with diameters of up to 3.8 meters. Based on the proven BBM technology, the BBR is characterized by high efficiency and high safety standards. Upon request, Herrenknecht will supply the BBR with a project-specific lowering unit. With this, lining of the shaft can already be done parallel to the reaming operation, saving time and increasing safety.

The Herrenknecht Reef Boring Machine (RBM) safely and efficiently creates horizontal and ascending boreholes with inclinations of up to 40°. In stable rock with up to 300 megapascals and with excavation diameters of up to 1.8 meters, the RBM achieves borehole lengths of up to 60 meters.

Efficient drilling technology to explore deep energy deposits. Both oil and gas fields and geothermal energy sources can be explored using deep drilling rigs. The operation of the rigs, however, poses specific demands on the environment and the surroundings. As a subsidiary of Herrenknecht AG, Herrenknecht Vertical specializes in the construction of deep drilling rigs, which are individually designed and manufactured to customer specifications. The deep drilling rigs can be used for onshore and offshore drills to depths of down to 8,000 meters.

Herrenknecht`s Slant Directional Drilling rigs (SDD) combine the advantages of two drilling methods that have proven themselves for years.  With the specially designed drilling technology, near-surface conventional or unconventional oil and gas deposits and geothermal energy can be developed safely and efficiently. SDD rigs are versatile and can work successfully in virtually all ground conditions.

The Tunnel Enlargement System (TES) developed by Herrenknecht makes it possible to renovate railway tunnels during ongoing rail operations. First, the two existing tracks are removed and a track is laid in the middle of the existing tube instead. Rail traffic continues to run safely on this track throughout the entire construction period. During the advance, the Tunnel Enlargement System (TES) moves forward step by step on auxiliary rails. At the same time, the machine serves as a protective enclosure and separates the construction work from ongoing rail traffic.