ACARP ACARP ACARP ACARP
Underground

Development of 'Dustless' Longwall and Development Face

Underground » Health and Safety

Published: August 20Project Number: C26065

Get ReportAuthor: Jon Roberts, Peter Wypych and Vitold Ronda | University of Wollongong

The over-arching objective for this project was to develop 'dustless' mining operations in the key areas of the longwall and the development face. To achieve this, the project was split into two phases:

  • the first phase focusing on the longwall and
  • the second phase looking at the development face.

The project relied on the application and investigation of two key enabling technologies: EnviroMist's high-energy micro-mist nozzles; and innovative use of computational fluid dynamics (CFD).

Phase One

CFD was first used to analyse ventilation flow patterns and potential dust dispersion along the longwall. Site measurements were taken as a part of the investigation to identify significant dust generating events and quantify dust concentrations. From this investigation, multiple areas were identified for application of dust suppression equipment in the form of the EnviroMist high-energy micromist spray technology. Spraying systems were designed using a combination of experimental data collected as a part of the project and through CFD analysis simulating the spray dispersion and interactions with the ventilation flow. The systems designed were implemented and the resulting performance was measured using real time dust monitors with reductions in dust concentrations of 75% at the BSL, 80% during roof support movements and 50% during shearer operations.

Phase Two

CFD modelling was again used to investigate ventilation flow patterns and potential dust dispersion. This analysis allowed the design of a suitable dust suppression system based on experimental data and further CFD simulations investigating the influence of the sprays. The CFD analysis showed significant improvements in the ventilation flow and predicts adequate coverage of the dust generating zone to achieve high capture efficiency.

Overall, the project shows the high capture efficiency of the EnviroMist high-energy micromist sprays and the value of detailed engineering analysis using CFD for the modelling, design, and implementation of effective dust suppression systems. It also can be seen how the developed technology can be adapted or applied to other mines of different capacity, seam height, etc.

Underground

Health and safety, productivity and environment initiatives.

Recently Completed Projects

C33029Review Longwall Face Ventilation To Mitigate Goaf Gas Emissions Onto Walkways And Tailgate End

As longwall mining increasingly targets deeper coal seams, managing ...

C29009Control Of Transient Touch Voltages During Switching

There have been an increasing number of electric shock incidents rep...

C29025Effectiveness Of Shotcrete In Underground Coal Mines

The primary objective of this project is to quantify the effectivene...

Underground

Open Cut

Safety, productivity and the right to operate are priorities for open cut mine research.

Open Cut

Coal Preparation

Maximising throughput and yield while minimising costs and emissions.

Recently Completed Projects

C33057Foreign Contaminants Detection On Conveyor Belts Using Digital Imaging Processing Techniques And Coal Penetrating Sensors

This project was initiated to tackle the ongoing issue of foreign co...

C29061Improving Flotation With A Combined Method

This project aimed to develop and assess a method combining the use ...

C33053Improving Centrifugal Dewatering Via Modelling And Analysis

The aim of the project was to develop a model for screen bowl centri...

Coal Preparation

Technical Market Support

Market acceptance and emphasising the advantages of Australian coals.

Recently Completed Projects

C34059Coke Reactivity With CO2 And H2O And Impacts On Coke Microstructure And Gas Diffusion

With the global shift to low-carbon ironmaking, partial substitution...

C34055Factors Underpinning The Gasification Reactivity Of Coke RMDC And IMDC With CO2

It is well known that the gasification reactivity of metallurgical c...

C33066Washability And Distribution Of Sulfur And Trace Elements For Different Size And Density Fractions Of Raw Coals

Based on the hypothesis that the levels of sulfur and other toxic tr...

Technical Market Support

Mine Site Greenhouse Gas Mitigation

Mitigating greenhouse gas emissions from the production of coal.

Recently Completed Projects

C34066Safe Operation Of Catalytic Reactors For The Oxidation Of VAM Operating Under Abnormal Reaction Conditions

The catalyst Pd/TS-1 has shown excellent activity in oxidising venti...

C28076Selective Absorption Of Methane By Ionic Liquids (SAMIL)

This third and final stage of this project was the culmination of a ...

C29069Low-Cost Catalyst Materials For Effective VAM Catalytic Oxidation

Application of ventilation air methane (VAM) thermal oxidiser requir...

Mine Site Greenhouse Gas Mitigation

Low Emission Coal Use

Step-change technologies aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Recently Completed Projects

C17060BGasification Of Australian Coals

Four Australian coals were trialled in the Siemens 5 MWth pilot scale ga...

C17060AOxyfuel Technology For Carbon Capture And Storage Critical Clean Coal Technology - Interim Support

The status of oxy-fuel technology for first-generation plant is indicate...

C18007Review Of Underground Coal Gasification

This report consists of a broad review of underground coal gasification,...

Low Emission Coal Use

Mining And The Community

The relationship between mines and the local community.

Recently Completed Projects

C16027Assessing Housing And Labour Market Impacts Of Mining Developments In Bowen Basin Communities

The focus of this ACARP-funded project has been to identify a number...

C22029Understanding And Managing Cumulative Impacts Of Coal Mining And Other Land Uses In Regions With Diversified Economies

The coal industry operates in the context of competing land-uses that sh...

C23016Approval And Planning Assessment Of Black Coal Mines In NSW And Qld: A Review Of Economic Assessment Techniques

This reports on issues surrounding economic assessment and analysis ...

Mining And The Community

NERDDC

National Energy Research,Development & Demonstration Council (NERDDC) reports - pre 1992.

Recently Completed Projects

1609-C1609Self Heating of Spoil Piles from Open Cut Coal Mines

Self Heating of Spoil Piles from Open Cut Coal Mines

1301-C1301Stress Control Methods for Optimised Development...

Stress Control Methods for Optimised Development and Extraction Operations

0033-C1356Commissioned Report: Australian Thermal Coals...

Commissioned Report: Australian Thermal Coals - An Industry Handbook

NERDDC