Method and apparatus for measuring surface density of explosive and inert dust in stratified layers

Patent · Fri Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1988

OSTI ID:866802

Sapko, Michael J ^[1]; Perlee, Henry E ^[2]

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1. Finleyville, PA
2. Bethel Park, PA

A method for determining the surface density of coal dust on top of rock dust or rock dust on top of coal dust is disclosed which comprises directing a light source at either a coal or rock dust layer overlaying a substratum of the other, detecting the amount of light reflected from the deposit, generating a signal from the reflected light which is converted into a normalized output (V), and calculating the surface density from the normalized output. The surface density S.sub.c of coal dust on top of rock dust is calculated according to the equation: S.sub.c =1/-a.sub.c ln(V) wherein a.sub.c is a constant for the coal dust particles, and the surface density S.sub.r of rock dust on top of coal dust is determined by the equation: ##EQU1## wherein a.sub.r is a constant based on the properties of the rock dust particles. An apparatus is also disclosed for carrying out the method of the present invention.

• Research Organization: National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL), Pittsburgh, PA, Morgantown, WV (United States)
• Assignee: United States of America as represented by Secretary of (Washington, DC)
• Patent Number(s): US 4793710
• OSTI ID: 866802
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

method
apparatus
measuring
surface
density
explosive
inert
dust
stratified
layers
determining
coal
top
rock
disclosed
comprises
directing
light
source
layer
overlaying
substratum
detecting
amount
reflected
deposit
generating
signal
converted
normalized
output
calculating
calculated
according
equation
-a
ln
constant
particles
determined
equ1
based
properties
carrying
surface density
rock dust
light reflected
light source
reflected light
coal dust
measuring surface
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