Dust controls at longwalls with water infusion and foam: Technical progress report

Technical Report · Thu Dec 31 04:00:00 EST 1987

OSTI ID:5543196

Pothini, R; Hamilton, H

A study of the effects of shearer drum rotation on dust generation, product size, productivity, power consumption, machine reliability, and methane generation was undertaken in the Virginia Pocahonatas No. 1 mine. The study was made to determine the benefits, if any, achieved from the reversal of the head drum rotation from the normal direction (roof to floor) to the reversed direction (floor to roof). The operation of the shearer with reversed drum rotation proved superior. There was a 14% reduction in respirable dust on the up-wind side of the shearer and a 40% reduction on the down-wind side when the machine was operated with reversed rotation. Reversed rotation yielded an improvement of approximately 10% in the amount of coarse (+1/4 inch) material reaching the longwall conveyor belt. Time studies indicated a 13% improvement in productivity using reversed rotation. There was no discernible difference in the rate of power consumption. Reversed rotation data indicated a 22% reduction in methane generation per ton of coal mined during the cutting pass. Reversed drum rotation provided the benefits of a safer work environment (reduced respirable dust and methane generation), increased production (improvement in machine potential and availability), and improved product size. Reversed rotation should be considered a standard for all longwall shearers in the Virginia division and evaluated for use on the remaining longwalls within the company.

• Research Organization: Island Creek Coal Sales Co., Lexington, KY (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: AI01-81FE00016
• OSTI ID: 5543196
• Report Number(s): DOE/FE/00016-T133; ON: DE88004386
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

01 COAL, LIGNITE, AND PEAT
012033* -- Coal
Lignite
& Peat-- Underground Mining-- Mine Environment-- (1987-)
ALKANES
COAL MINING
COLLOIDS
CONTROL
CUTTER LOADERS
CUTTING MACHINES
DISPERSIONS
DOCUMENT TYPES
DUSTS
EMISSION
ENERGY CONSUMPTION
EQUIPMENT
FLUID INJECTION
FOAMS
HAULAGE EQUIPMENT
HYDROCARBONS
LOADERS
LONGWALL MINING
MATERIALS HANDLING EQUIPMENT
METHANE
MINING
MINING EQUIPMENT
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
PRODUCTIVITY
PROGRESS REPORT
RECOMMENDATIONS
RELIABILITY
SHEARER LOADERS
UNDERGROUND MINING