Effects of water sprays and scrubber exhaust on face methane concentrations.

Taylor-CD; Zimmer-JA

Proceedings of the Seventh International Mine Ventilation Congress, June 17-22, 2001, Crakow, Poland. S Wasilewski, ed., Crakow, Poland: Research & Development Center for Electrical Engineering and Automation in Mining (EMAG), 2001 Jun; :465-470

20021467

Past studies with blowing face ventilation systems have shown that using a machine-mounted scrubber and water sprays can reduced methane levels at the face. The current research was conducted to determine how the sprays and scrubber interact to reduce methane levels, and what spray configurations provide the best face ventilation when used with a scrubber. Testing was conducted in a ventilation test gallery designed to simulate a full-scale mine entry. In the entry, a model mining machine, equipped with a simulated dust scrubber and water spray systems, was located at the face of a 6.1 m (20 ft) box cut. Face ventilation was provided by a blowing curtain located 12.2 m (40 ft) from the face. Methane released from a manifold at the face was measured at six locations near the face to compare the ventilation effectiveness of the spray systems while operating with and without the scrubber. Airflow movement across the face was affected by the spray configuration and scrubber operation. Average face concentrations were lowest when directed sprays were used with the scrubber. Varying the direction of the scrubber exhaust affected face methane levels.

Ventilation-systems; Ventilation; Mining-industry; Coal-mining; Scrubbers; Methanes; Methane-control; Dust-control; Mining-equipment; Scrubbers; Methane-control; Methanes; Dust-control-equipment; Dust-suppression; Dusts

Pittsburgh Research Laboratory, P.O. Box 18070, Pittsburgh, PA 15236

20010617

Conference/Symposia Proceedings; Book or book chapter

Wasilewski-S

2001

8391310914

PRL

Proceedings of the Seventh International Mine Ventilation Congress, June 17-22, 2001, Crakow, Polandand

PA