Stochastic approach to efficient design of belt conveyor networks

Journal Article · Mon Jul 01 00:00:00 EDT 1985 · Miner. Matters; (United States)

OSTI ID:6826628

Sevim, H

Currently, the design of belt conveyor networks is based either on deterministic production assumptions or on simulation models. In this research project, the stochastic process at the coal face is expressed and formulated by a Semi-Markovian technique, and the subject is used as input in a computerized heuristic design model. The author previously has used a Semi-Markovian process to analyze longwall and room-and-pillar production operations. Results indicated that a coal flow in the section belt of a room-and-pillar operation would be expected only 20% of the time in a steady-state operation mode. Similarly, longwall face operations indicated a 35 to 40% coal flow under steady-state conditions. In the present study, similar data from several production sections are used to compute the probabilities of different quantities of coal flowing at any given time during a shift on the belt in the submain entries. Depending upon the probabilities of coal flows on belts in sections and submain and main entries, the appropriate haulage units such as belt width, motor horsepower, idlers, etc., and belt speed are selected by a computerized model. After the development of this algorithm, now in progress, results of a case study undertaken at an existing coal mine in the Illinois Coal Basin using this stochastic approach will be compared with those obtained using an existing belt haulage system design approach.

• OSTI ID: 6826628
• Journal Information: Miner. Matters; (United States), Vol. 7:4
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

01 COAL, LIGNITE, AND PEAT
BELT CONVEYORS
COMPUTER-AIDED DESIGN
COAL MINING
ILLINOIS
LONGWALL MINING
MATHEMATICAL MODELS
MINE HAULAGE
ROOM AND PILLAR MINING
CONVEYORS
EQUIPMENT
FEDERAL REGION V
HAULAGE EQUIPMENT
MATERIALS HANDLING
MATERIALS HANDLING EQUIPMENT
MINING
NORTH AMERICA
UNDERGROUND MINING
USA
012032* - Coal
Lignite
& Peat- Underground Mining- Transport & Services- (1987-)