The tunnel boring machine (TBM) eats its way about 340 m through the ground 10 m below the Datteln-Hamm Canal (Figure 1). Here, in 2025, mine water is to flow into the Lippe in a pipe. This is because Haus Aden is one of the central mine water sites of RAG Aktiengesellschaft in Essen. At the same time, a new residential area is being built here – directly on the water.
Due to the age of the former mine water pipeline and the future use of the Haus Aden water intake site as one of the remaining central uplift points in the Ruhr area, the mine water pipeline of the former Haus Aden colliery is being renewed as far as the Lippe. The mine water extraction rate is around 11.9 M m3/a. In order to use synergies, the existing flood water discharge pipe of the Oberaden pumping station will also be renewed in the course of this construction measure to ensure precipitation drainage.
The project will be implemented in two construction stages. The first construction phase comprises the renewal of the mine water drainage and the flood water discharge pipe between the former Haus Aden shaft site and Kleine Heide road north of the Datteln-Hamm canal. For this purpose, the canal will be crossed under with two media channels in which the pipelines will be routed. The second construction stage – extension to the Lippe – will take place afterwards.
With the current start of the tunnelling work, the first of the two media channels with an internal diameter of 3.20 m will be excavated. The length of the excavation is about 340 m and will be carried out from south to north. The excavation of the second media channel with a diameter of 2.80 m will start afterwards, also from south to north at the same depth. A period of about three months is planned for the tunnelling work for each media duct.
The start of the tunnelling measure, originally planned for spring/summer 2022, was delayed due to the clarification of legal issues that had to be accompanied by an expert opinion, as well as delivery problems with essential components. The completion of the entire project is scheduled for 2025.
The TBM from Herrenknecht has an installed capacity of 850 KW, is 7 m long and has a diameter of 4 m. The TBM can move up to 1.5 m per day. It can cut up to 10 m through the ground every day.
A Herrenknecht tunnel boring machine is used to excavate two channels for the renewal of the mine water drainage system and the flood water discharge pipe for the Haus Aden dewatering site. Photo/Photo: RAG
