[Further development of an apparatus for dust control in the mechanical digging of supporting beams, recesses and pile endings].

Abstract

The Zolder Colliery of the N.V. Kempense Steenkolenmijnen is currently developing compact dust collectors for mounting directly on mining machines. In particular, the collectors are to be used with machines working in stable holes, rippings, face ends and in-seam rise headings. The use of these units will provide clean air within the working area and at the same time reduce contamination outbye. In the first section a review of recent dust collector development is presented, followed by a theoretical analysis of particle dynamics and the filtration process. The next section describes trials with prototypes and highlights some of the problems associated with dust deposition within the equipment. The last two sections describe how the Zolder Colliery first realised the benefits dust collection could offer as a means of controlling airborne dust in mechanized in-serum rise headings and why they favour the development of a dust collector for use in stable holes.