Recent experience with the spray fan.
Authors
Kissell-FN; Schroeder-WE; Ruggieri-SK; Hoover-S
Source
Second International Mine Ventilation Congress, November 4-8, 1979, Reno, NV. P Mousset-Jones, ed., New York: American Institute of Mining, Metallurgical, and Petroleum Engineers, Inc., 1980 Oct; :685-690
Abstract
Work done by Foster-Miller Associates under a Bureau of Mines research contract has developed methods to increase significantly the amount of fresh air that reaches the front of a continuous-mining machine. The emphasis was on removing methane build-ups that occur at the cutterhead. Using a full-scale plywood mockup of a coal mine working face area, the study showed that in many instances only about 20 pct of the fresh air heading towards an exhaust brattice or tubing actually get to within 1 ft (0.3m) of the face. The key to providing more air at the face is to enhance and move forward the natural airflow pattern. This change in the natural airflow patern can be accomplished by taking advantage of the air-moving abilities of the conventional water spray. It was discovered that if all the water sprays on the machine were realigned, then ventilation efficiencies of 70 pct or more were achieved regularly. This meant that if 9,000 cfm (4.2 m3/s) was entering the brattice, at least 6,300 cfm (3.0 m3/s) of this was reaching to within 1 ft (0.3m) of the face. This water spray realignment consists of placing a few nozzles on the side of the machine opposite the curtain and also tilting the front sprays slightly towards the curtain side. Recently, two underground tests and two additional independent laboratory tests of the water "Spray Fan" have been completed. In general, they have confirmed the performance of the Spray Fan system, but they also have provided useful information as to its difficulties and limitations.
Keywords
Mining-industry; Mining-equipment; Methanes; Methane-control; Air-flow; Coal-mining; Ventilation-equipment; Ventilation-systems; Control-technology; Mine-gases
Document Type
Conference/Symposia Proceedings
Source Name
Second International Mine Ventilation Congress, November 4-8, 1979, Reno, NV
