Objective The aims of the project are:-1) To enhance the dust control efficiency of extraction drums on shearers cutting at high haulage speeds, by: i) fitting a system of hollow cone sprays on the drum loading vanes, to assist in the entrainment of dust into the extraction tubes, and ii) releasing water from high pressure pick-activated sprays sited at each point attack type pick box. 2) To find the best method of controlling dust from continuous mining machines producing coal from room and pillar workings.Widespread exploitation of the Extraction Drum on shearers led to a significant reduction in numbers of coalfaces with excessive dust, despite increases in coalface output, between 1986 and 1991. However, there is evidence that continued improvements in output are causing dust levels to increase on some high output faces, even though more extraction tubes are being fitted in the drums to raise their efficiency for both dust and ignition control. There is, therefore, a need to provide enhanced control efficiency from the extraction system and the drum-mounted water sprays on shearers, particularly those cutting at speeds in excess of 10 m/min. Longwall mining is almost universally used in British Coal, but a number of collieries anticipate turning to room and pillar methods with continuous mining machines in order to economically mine particular areas of coal. Experience at the one mine currently using this technique indicates that dust control is difficult, and levels are often excessive. It is essential that effective control methods are developed in order to allow collieries to use room and pillar methods without hazarding the health of workers. Programme(s) ECSC-MINEHYG 6C - Sixth research programme (ECSC) "Industrial Hygiene in Mines", 1990-1993 Topic(s) 1 - Technical control of pollutants Call for proposal Data not available Funding Scheme Data not available Coordinator British Coal plc EU contribution No data Address Eastwood Hall NG16 3EB Eastwood United Kingdom See on map Total cost No data
