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Design and fabrication of a rotary coal cutting simulator.

Khair-AW

Proceedings of the Coal Mine Dust Conference, Morgantown, West Virginia, October 8-10, 1984. Peng, SS, ed., Morgantown, WV: West Virginia University, 1984 Oct; :190-197

20034369

This paper deals with the description of the capabilities of a unique rotary coal cutting simulator which has been designed and fabricated at West Virginia University. It operates under the simulated mining conditions with in-situ stresses (horizontal and vertical stresses) being applied to a coal block of 18 in. x 15 in. x 6 in. located in a suitably designed confining chamber. Cutting drum rotation can be varied from 1 to 40 rpm with the capability of stopping the drum after a predetermined number of rotations. Tests can be performed with four different bit angles, 15, 30, 45 and 60 degrees. A maximum of seven bits could be used in seven different orbits. Various cutting depths up to a maximum of 4 in. is possible. Monitoring devices constitute, Linear Variable Differential Transformers (LVDTs), pressure transducers, cascade impactors, flow meters, flow controls and drum cutting speed. LVDTs are used to monitor the displacement of the coal block as well as the depth of cut. Pressure transducers are used to monitor the changes in pressure, both due to the thrust and due to the intermittent cutting nature of the rotary cutting. Flow controls will be used to run the drum at a set rpm between 1 and 40 and to provide a different rate of advance. All the above mentioned devices can be operated and monitored by a fully automated control system. Six-stage cascade impactors are used to determine the mass distribution of dust along the rotation path of the drum. The fracture size, shape and intensity can be studied by optical microscopy and the dust entrainment by using high speed photography. This equipment will basically be used to study the fracture mechanism in coal, associated with operating and in-situ parameters and further relate it to dust generation and entrainment in underground coal mines.

Mining-industry; Coal-dust; Coal-mining; Underground-mining; Mining-equipment; Simulation-methods

19841008

Conference/Symposia Proceedings

Peng-SS

Grant

1985

Proceedings of the Coal Mine Dust Conference, Morgantown, West Virginia, October 8-10, 1984

WV; PA