ACARP ACARP ACARP ACARP
Technical Market Support

Correlating the Distribution of Multiscale Structural Features with Coke Quality Indicators by Combining Advanced Datamining Approaches with 3D Visualisation

Technical Market Support » Metallurgical Coal

Published: June 21Project Number: C29073

Get ReportAuthor: Keith Nesbitt, Karen Blackmore, Stephan Chalup, Robert King, Merrick Mahoney | University of Newcastle

This project builds on a number of recent projects that have helped understand the link between the distribution of coke microstructure and coke strength, reactivity and the formation of the microstructure in the plastic layer. It builds directly on a previous project (C27036) that integrated 3D visualisation tools and statistical characterisation techniques (K, F, G) to support expert analysis of the coke microstructure.

Outcomes from this earlier project (C27036) suggested that data-mining tools that use dimensional reduction and clustering techniques can support the classification of cokes based on the distribution of microstructure. This approach is designed to automatically detect structural features of interest in CT Images of different cokes. A range of statistical characterisation techniques can then be applied to help analyse the distribution of these features in three dimensions. In this project, further work was carried out to refine the classification and statistical characterisation and to test the generic capability of this approach across a broad range of cokes. Expert analysis and 3D visualisation were used to evaluate and refine the automated approach.

In summary, this project aimed to enhance automatic characterisation of cokes, based on the distribution of microstructures, by:

  • Further development of landmark dimensional scaling and clustering approaches to automatically detect structural features of interest in an increased range of cokes.
  • Refinement of 3D statistical characterisation approaches for classifying coke strength based on the distribution of microstructure classes.
  • Validation and communication of all outcomes with experts using the previously developed interactive 3D visualisation tool.

The project consisting of the following steps:

  • Identifying a range of existing coke samples for analysis. In total nine different cokes and existing CT images from 37 different coke samples were analysed. The project used cokes that covered a range of microstructure properties and a range of strength characteristics.
  • Refining the previously used Landmark Multi-dimensional Scaling (LMDS) approach by comparing performance using four alternative distance metrics (Chebyshev, Euclidean, Manhattan, Bhattacharyya) to measure the similarity of microstructure blocks.
  • Developing and applying a standardised LMDS approach for clustering locations of interest in CT images from a coke volume. This approach was applied to the 37 individual coke samples with three or more samples of each of the nine cokes analysed (See Table 1).
  • Analysing a range of 3D point distributions and associated statistical characterisations (K, F, G) of the locations identified from the LMDS approach. These statistical approaches were used to study the distribution of six classes (weak to strong) of microstructure.
  • Implementing a range of interactive 3D visualisations to support the evaluation of outcomes using Drishti (Limaye 2012, Limaye 2019).

Three novel approaches were also developed for working with coke volumes to support better understanding of the role of coke microstructure. These included:

  • Landmark multi-dimensional scaling and clustering algorithms to identify structural features and generate points of interest from the coke samples.
  • 3D statistical analysis to characterise the distribution of features in the coke volumes.
  • Advanced visualisation platforms and tools to interact with the coke volumes.

The project has provided some important insights around the way different categories of microstructure are distributed in different types of cokes. It confirms the relationship between microstructure with different properties and more traditional measures of coke strength. However, some of the processes used in this project might be further improved to increase the validity of results. This includes extending the number of samples used in the characterisation to counter the natural variations found in samples. It also suggests the evaluation of alternative techniques, such as autoencoding, that more transparently identify 3D structure for use in classification. Although the LMDS algorithm used in this project classifies 3D blocks of microstructure, these blocks need to be reduced to a single dimension for clustering and this introduces a level of abstraction that potentially hinders interpretation of outcomes.

Underground

Health and safety, productivity and environment initiatives.

Recently Completed Projects

C34007Evaluating Toxicity Of Different Types Of Respirable Crystalline Silica Particles To Lung Cells And Tissues

Silica dust represents one of the most significant occupational haza...

C29010In-Situ Stress Measurement Using Non-Destructive Techniques (Ndts)

Rock in depth is subjected to stresses due to overlaying burden and ...

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

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

Underground

Open Cut

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

Recently Completed Projects

C35029Renewable Energy As Post-Mining Land Use

In 2020, the Queensland Resources Council (QRC), in partnership with...

C33036Radar Tyre Monitor System

This project focussed on trialling a radar sensing technology design...

C26020Preventing Fatigue Cracking Via Proactive Surface Dressing

Fatigue cracking of plant and equipment presents a significant chall...

Open Cut

Coal Preparation

Maximising throughput and yield while minimising costs and emissions.

Recently Completed Projects

C28061Quantitative Based Structural Integrity Evaluations Using Modal Parameters Estimation

This project focused on the development and implementation of a quan...

C34039Development Of A Soft Sensor For Predicting Dense Medium Cyclones Performance

This project details the development of a DMC soft sensor for modell...

C34041A Coal Spiral For The 2020S

The objective of this project is to develop an enhanced coal process...

Coal Preparation

Technical Market Support

Market acceptance and emphasising the advantages of Australian coals.

Recently Completed Projects

C35039Impact Of Coal Grain Composition And Macerals Association On Fluidity Development In Australian Coals

The coke quality prediction models use thermoplastic terms as key ex...

C36004Physical And Chemical Structure Characterisation Of Biomass For Biocoke Production

Partial substitution of coking coal with renewable biomass is identi...

C35037Examination Of Contraction Pre And Post Resolidification Using A High Temperature Dilatation Rig

This project examined the contraction of coking coal samples, both p...

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