Objective
Although fitting of extraction drums to about half its shearers has enabled British Coal to keep the dust levels on the majority of faces well below the statutory limits, there are a number of sites that still suffer from excessive dust. Rising face output is obviously one factor responsible for this, however, dust levels on high output faces can vary greatly. On some they are very low, while on others they are excessive. Some of the reasons for these differences are obvious, such as cutting stone or low ventilation, but there are many cases in which dust levels would be expected to be similar.
The aim of this project is to identify the factors responsible for the low dust levels. It should provide examples of what is achievable in dust prevention and control, so that the techniques, methods and equipment used can, where possible, be incorporated into the design and operation of future high output faces.
At present there is relatively little information about dust dispersion from the equipment, mining methods and operations being used on the least dusty coalfaces. Of necessity, dust control effort has been concentrated on the faces with problems, and faces with low dust levels have received little attention. This project will help to remedy this lack of information.
From a review of the national routine dust sampling data and face output information, ten faces with consistent low dust levels and high output will be selected for examination. More retreat than advancing faces will be studied, in line with the increasing proportion of retreat faces operating in the UK. After pre-trial visits to check the validity of the site choice, studies will be carried out over a number of shifts. MRE113A Gravimetric Samplers and SIMSLIN II Continuous Dust Monitors will be sited at different positions around the face, to measure the contribution of the various operational activities to the full shift sample. Details of these activities will be noted.
Information will be collected with respect to specification of the aspects of the face equipment and operational procedures that are relevant to dust make and control, eg drum design, drum rotational speed, dust control system, water flow for dust control, method of cutting face ends, machine speeds, etc. Quality of maintenance and the operational state of the dust control equipment, eg spray blockage, water pressure at extraction drums, will also be assessed.
The information on operational methods and equipment etc will be analysed to identify common factors that contribute to the low overall dust make from the faces. Dust make from the various mining operations sampled will be calculated from the measurements with SIMSLIN monitors. These will enable comparisons to be made of the different methods and techniques used for similar parts of the mining cycle, eg face and operations, on the different faces. Analysis of the results should enable the optimal methods and equipment for producing coal with minimal dust dispersion to be identified.
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Coordinator
NG16 3EB Eastwood
United Kingdom
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