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Content archived on 2022-11-21

Dust control at the face

Objective

Dust control at coal-getting machines is currently by wet processes.

Our intention is to further refine these processes by optimizing spraying at the cutting tools and by gearing the quantity of water to the quantity of mined rock. At transfer points downsteam, the spray must be adjustable to the conveyor load.

To extend dedusting potential at the face, new ways must be found of shielding the conveyor and winning track and the transfer points.

This will involve developing new methods of dust capture and suppression.

Achieving an optimum balance of water to mined rock will involve designing control and regulating devices, includng fast-reacting sensors, to control water flow at indiviudal points.

To this end, integral high-pressure spray pumps on shearer-loaders are being tested, triggered by the pressure created as the cutter picks make contact with the face, and involving controlled use of water from the shearer loader's cooling system. We also plan to adapt the shearer drum to test the feasibility of suction of fine dust at shearer-loaders.

For stripping winning, work will centre on developing concentrated spraying of a specific area by minimzing the distance between nozzles, spraying being carried out in short bursts dependent on the direction of airflow.

To reduce dust formation in areas downstream, sensor and computer-controlled spraying systems will be designed to adapt water discharge to mined output.

To enable dusty air to be isolated for treatment with dedusters, it is planned to design cladding which, according to the direction of airflow, will capture the contaminated air and divert it into the dedusters.

Pneumatic stowing still consititutes a major source of dust.

Call for proposal

Data not available

Funding Scheme

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Coordinator

DMT-GESELLSCHAFT FUER FORSCHUNG UND PRUEFUNG mbH
EU contribution
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Address
Franz-Fischer-Weg 61
45307 Essen
Germany

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Total cost
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