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Optimizing Face Ventilation and Shearer Water Consumption to Reduce Longwall Dust Levels.

McClelland JJ; Babbitt CA; Jankowski RA

Proc 3rd Mine Ventilation Symp 1987 :553-557

10005820

This paper describes a study undertaken to develop guidelines to enable mine operators to maximize longwall dust reductions, while optimizing the use of ventilating air and shearer water consumption. A recent investigation by Foster-Miller Incorporated, under a Bureau of Mines contract, quantified the effect of increased face airflow and shearer water supply on face dust concentrations. A 70- pct reduction in respirable dust levels was achieved at the shearer operator's position during tail-to-head cutting by an incremental increase in average face air velocity from 83.8 M/min (275 fpm) to 123.4 M/min (405 fpm), while holding shearer water consumption constant. A 60-pct reduction was achieved through an increase in shearer water pressure and flow from 9.1 Kg/cm2 (130 psi) at 0.19 M3/min (50 gpm) to 19.7 Kg/cm2 (280 psi) at 0.28 M3/min (75 gpm), holding airflow constant. The combined effects of increasing both parameters produced an 85-pct reduction. Optimal usage of ventilating air and shearer water consumption can be achieved by defining a "point of diminishing returns" above which further increases no longer reduce dust concentrations proportionately.

19870101

OP;

1987

OP 41-88

PRC;

Proc. 3rd Mine Ventilation Symp., 1987, PP. 553-557