Waterjet-assisted cutting nears commercialization

Journal Article · Sat Dec 01 00:00:00 EST 1984 · Coal Min. Process.; (United States)

OSTI ID:5105427

Erhart, P P

Waterjet-assisted cutting is discussed as a method of bringing improvements in bit life, productivity, and health and safety to mining machines. The cutter closest to commercial production, called the JB2-H Jetbolter, is examined and its on-site modifications are described. The system is designed for water to do 85% of the work. The Jetbolter is designed to operate with a minimum roof of five feet and uses one gallon of water per hole at a force of 35,000 psi. The US Bureau of Mines is experimenting with a waterget-assisted rotary cutting system for a longwall shearer and is investigating the optimal transverse speed of waterjet-assisted drag picks. Problems that need to be resolved before a waterjet-assisted rotary cutting can be used are discussed and include: a provision for delivering high-pressure water to the cutting head; protection of the nozzles from rock debris; a way to quickly and easily replace worn nozzles, and providing a system for phasing waterjet activation only when the bit is in contact with the cutting surface. Advantages of the system are cited including: higher productivity; safety form sparking; a dust-free environment; longer life of cutting tools, and lower maintenance costs and downtime.

• OSTI ID: 5105427
• Journal Information: Coal Min. Process.; (United States), Vol. 21:12
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

01 COAL, LIGNITE, AND PEAT
JET DRILLS
PERFORMANCE TESTING
UNDERGROUND MINING
ROCK DRILLING
COMMERCIALIZATION
DRILLING FLUIDS
FIELD TESTS
ROOF BOLTS
SHEARER LOADERS
WATER
CUTTER LOADERS
CUTTING MACHINES
DRILLING
DRILLING EQUIPMENT
DRILLS
EQUIPMENT
FLUIDS
HAULAGE EQUIPMENT
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
LOADERS
MATERIALS HANDLING EQUIPMENT
MINING
MINING EQUIPMENT
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
TESTING
012000* - Coal
Lignite
& Peat- Mining