CFI Testing in the CSM Mine

The CFI - Controlled Foam Injection - rock breaking technology was initially tested and demonstrated in the Colorado School of Mines Experimental Mile, located in Idaho Springs, Colorado.

Initial - feasibility tests were conducted in 1998 under NSF (National Science Foundation) SBIR Phase I funding.

With the encouraging results from these tests an NSF - SBIR Phase II grant was received and CFI hardware for a more ambitious testing program was designed and installed on a small Komatsu mini-excavator.  This excavator had a knuckle boom which was adapted to be used for indexing between a hydraulic drill and the CFI breaker, both carried on the same boom. (See photos below)

Click thumbnail image to see larger version.

During the CSM testing from late 2000 until 2003, video coverage was obtained of the breakage process.   Video clips of various groups of tests may be seen by clicking on the corresponding thumbnails below.  Higher quality - 640 x 480 video is available on the new CFI CD.   This CD covering the full development history of CFI may be obtained by a request to the contact below.

For additional Information, to obtain the CFI CD or to discuss specific applications please contact:

CFI Technologies, LLC

Attn: Chapman Young
P. O. Box 772129
Steamboat Springs, CO 80477
Phone: (303) 807-9343
E-mail: cfi@capprex.com