Evaluate fundamental approaches to longwall dust control: Subprogram F, Reversed drum rotation

Technical Report · Tue May 01 04:00:00 EDT 1990

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/7092365· OSTI ID:7092365

Ludlow, J; Kelly, J; Ruggieri, S

In longwall mining, a significant portion of the shearer operator's dust exposure is caused by dust generated during loading. With the conventional direction of shearer drum rotation, loading efficiency is usually poor due to obstructions caused by the ranging arms and the cowl support arms. By reversing the normal direction of rotation, however, the arms no longer provide an obstruction. This results in improved loading efficiency and reduced dust generation. This report describes the reversed drum rotation concept and presents the results of a field survey and underground evaluation conducted to prove its feasibility and to measure its dust control benefits. Through this effort, the technique was shown to be feasible from both a mining and mechanical standpoint. During the underground test, it reduced dust levels near the shearer operator's positions by about 85%. 20 figs., 4 tabs.

• Research Organization: Foster-Miller, Inc., Waltham, MA (USA)
• Sponsoring Organization: DOE/FE
• DOE Contract Number: AI01-81FE00016
• OSTI ID: 7092365
• Report Number(s): DOE/FE/00016-T172; ON: DE90015502; CNN: J0318097
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

01 COAL, LIGNITE, AND PEAT
012030 -- Coal
Lignite
& Peat-- Underground Mining-- (1987-)
012033* -- Coal
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& Peat-- Underground Mining-- Mine Environment-- (1987-)
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COAL MINING
CONTROL
CUTTER LOADERS
CUTTING MACHINES
DOCUMENT TYPES
DUSTS
EQUIPMENT
HAULAGE EQUIPMENT
LOADERS
LONGWALL MINING
MATERIALS HANDLING EQUIPMENT
MINING
MINING EQUIPMENT
OPERATION
PROGRESS REPORT
SHEARER LOADERS
UNDERGROUND MINING
VENTILATION
WORKING CONDITIONS