Dust control technology for longwall mining. Technical progress report, No. 36, July 1-31, 1984
Preliminary analysis of the data from the Emery Wilberg Mine evaluation showed that the intake dust level and ventilation conditions were virtually constant throughout the evaluation. These factors coupled with the consistent cutting sequence of the shearer appear to have resulted in very reliable data. The evaluation examined four major test conditions: open stageloader with baseline sprays (10 gpm); open stageloader with all spraybars operating (20 gpm); covered stageloader with baseline sprays (10 gpm); and covered stageloader with all spraybars operating (20 gpm). Data was recorded during both the cutting and clean-up passes. Very little dust was generated during the clean-up pass. Any dust reductions due to improved conditions were difficult to detect because of low dust levels. During the cutting pass, dust levels were considerably higher and the improvements were quite obvious. With an open stageloader the changes from baseline conditions to that of all spray systems operating produced dust reductions of up to 50 percent within the headgate and a 30 percent improvement at shield number 20. Under baseline operating conditions, the dust levels produced with an open stageloader were compared with the levels produced with the stageloader covered. The results showed a significant improvement in the discharge region of the crusher, with 40 percent improvements at the headgate operator and shield number 20. It appears that covering the stageloader provides the largest reduction in dust levels. The application of additional water to the spraybars produced further improvements. Reductions in belt entry dust levels were directly related to the amount of water applied to the stageloader to belt transfer point spraybar.
- Research Organization:
- Foster-Miller Associates, Inc., Waltham, MA (USA). Engineering Systems Group
- DOE Contract Number:
- AI01-81FE00016
- OSTI ID:
- 6644545
- Report Number(s):
- DOE/FE/00016-T55; ON: DE84016178
- Resource Relation:
- Other Information: Portions are illegible in microfiche products
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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