Improved performance of linear coal cutting compared with rotary cutting.

Roepke-WW; Hanson-BD; Olson-RC; Wingquist-CF; Myren-TA

Minneapolis, MN: U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Mines, RI 9536, 1995 Jan; :1-43

20039213

The linear cutting system, developed by the U.S. Bureau of Mines, uses geometric principles developed by Cardan to produce a nearly constant cut depth. The new system has been extensively tested in a synthetic material under laboratory conditions to verify mechanical capability and to identify operational characteristics. Comparisons between 15-rpm linear cutting and 50-rpm rotary cutting systems show significant improvement in respirable dust entrainment, product size distribution, and energy usage. Respirable dust is reduced by as much as 90 pct. Recovered product showed a 67-pct reduction in -0.32-cm (-1/8-in) material and a 200-pct increase in +5.08 cm (+2 in) material. Average power was reduced by 66 pct for the linear cutting. Because the bit cutting paths differ between linear and rotary cutting, it was necessary to compare the two at the same cut depths and bit types. These comparisons show that low revolution per minute rotary cutting entrains about the same amount of respirable dust as the linear cutting system, but the average shaft torque may be 55 to 130 pct greater for the rotary system.

Bits; Continuous-mining; Linear-systems; Rotating-machinery; Rotary-drill-bits; Coal-mining; Cutting-tools; Mining-industry; Mining-equipment

19950101

Report of Investigations

1995

PB95-216941

A03

RI-9536

TCRC

Minneapolis, MN: U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Mines, RI 9536

MN