Evaluation of water-jet-assisted cutting capability on longwall shearers. Report of Investigations/1989

Technical Report · Sun Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1989

OSTI ID:7042385

Taylor, C D; Thimons, E D; Kovscek, P D

The U.S. Bureau of Mines evaluated water-jet-assisted longwall shearers in full-scale laboratory tests and underground. Both test programs showed that use of high-pressure water did little to reduce the shearer motor energy required to maintain a given cutting rate. However, three other major benefits were achieved with the use of water-jet-assisted cutting. At 1,800 psi, respirable dust levels were reduced about 80% compared with the dust levels of the conventional water spray system operating at 340 psi. Operating at higher pressures required for water-jet assist also resulted in an increase in the average size of coal cut, which translates into a decrease in product fines. Finally, although no controlled measurements of bit wear as a function of water pressure were made, mine personnel reported that the shearer bits lasted longer when water-jet-assisted cutting was used.

• Research Organization: Bureau of Mines, Pittsburgh, PA (USA). Pittsburgh Research Center
• OSTI ID: 7042385
• Report Number(s): PB-90-157132/XAB; BUMINES-RI--9270
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

01 COAL, LIGNITE, AND PEAT
012030* -- Coal
Lignite
& Peat-- Underground Mining-- (1987-)
COAL MINING
CUTTING
CUTTING TOOLS
DUSTS
ENGINEERING
EVALUATION
FLUID MECHANICS
HYDRAULICS
LONGWALL MINING
MACHINING
MECHANICS
MINING
MINING ENGINEERING
PERFORMANCE TESTING
TEST FACILITIES
TESTING
TOOLS
UNDERGROUND MINING