647 research outputs found

    THE METHODOLOGY FOR INTEGRATING ROBOTIC SYSTEMS IN UNDEGROUND MINING MACHINES

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    Roof bolting is a critical operation in ensuring the safety and stability of underground mines by securing the roof strata with bolts. The process involves moving and manipulating heavy tools while being vigilant about the safety of the area. During the installation of roof bolts, operators are exposed to hazardous conditions due to challenging working conditions in underground mines, extensive working hours, and demanding shift schedules leading to personnel fatigue and influencing operators to take shortcuts that may increase the risk of injuries and fatal accidents. The successful completion of roof bolting tasks depends heavily on operator judgment and experience to perform these tasks. To mitigate the occupational hazards inherent in roof bolting operations, a six-axis ABB IRB 1600 robotic arm was integrated into the roof bolter machine to imitate human functions during the roof bolting operation. The integration process involves selecting a suitable robot that can perform human activities and has the potential to handle the tasks at hand. The ultimate goal of implementing the robotic system into the roof bolter machine is to minimize human involvement during the roof bolting operation by converting the machine from manual operations to a partially automated roof bolter machine. The integration enhances the safety of personnel by moving humans away from the face where roof bolting takes place to a safe distance. The operator is then assigned a new role to control and supervise all the operational tasks of the automated roof bolting operation via a human-machine interface (HMI). During the laboratory testing of the automation process, the robotic arm cooperates with some novel specialized technologies to imitate human activities during roof bolting operations. The developed systems include the plate feeder, the bolt feeder, and the wrench. These systems were built to support automation and minimize human intervention during roof bolting operations. These components were linked to the Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) and controlled by the HMI touchpad. An HMI was developed for the operator to control and monitor the automated process away from the active face. This study establishes robust communication paths among all the components. The design communication network links the robotic arm and other components of the roof bolter machine, leading to a smooth and sequential roof bolting process. The EtherNet/IP protocol is used to pass messages between the components of the automated roof bolter machine through a Controller Area Network (CAN) bus device installed to enable communication using CAN protocols. Establishing a robust communication network between the components prevents collision and manages the movement of the robotic arm and other developed automated systems during the bolting process. The outcome of the study shows that the robotic arm has the potential to mimic human activities during the roof bolting operation by performing bolt grasping, holding, lifting, placing, and removal of drill steels during the roof bolting operations. As a result, humans can be moved away from hazardous areas to a safe location and control the roof bolting operation through an Human Machine Interface (HMI) touchpad. The HMI controls the bolting process with start and stop buttons from the subroutine of all the components to perform the roof bolting operation. These buttons enable the operator to stop the operation in the event of unsafe acts

    Advanced underground Vehicle Power and Control: The locomotive Research Platform

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    Resource sustainability assessment of the use of non-ferrous metals in advanced materials applications

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    With the continuing global population growth, climate change and aspirations of developing nations to follow in the footsteps of developed nations, it is no wonder that the sustainability topic is so prominent today. Since the metals boom during the first decade of the 21st century also metal resource availability has gained renewed interest from politics and academia. Many metals are applied in clean technologies with the aim to reduce society’s environmental footprint. Semi-conductor materials, for example, are used in solar panels to harvest solar energy. As the processing of metals is often quite resource intensive the question arises how many resources are required in the production of these advanced materials. With regard to the sustainability of metal use this thesis tried to contribute in two ways. On the one hand by suggesting improvements for the assessment of impacts on future metal resource availability and on the other hand by assessing the overall resource consumption for the production of selected advanced materials, namely germanium wafers used in solar panels and cathode materials for lithium ion batteries.. Data on global mining operations from a mining database was used to determine an indicator for metal resource availability on the basis of the amount of ore required per kg of metal. Another part of the work consisted in setting up a model to determine energy requirements for the production of copper on the basis of data from a mining database. This model was used to investigate the link between ore requirements and energy demand on a global level. The resource consumption of germanium wafers was assessed and set in relation to the potential resource savings achieved when the wafers are used in solar panels to produce electricity from solar energy. New cathode materials for lithium ion batteries are constantly developed. The impact of composition and property changes on the resource consumption was compared for five different cathode materials

    Critical Metals in the Path towards the Decarbonisation of the EU Energy Sector: Assessing Rare Metals as Supply-Chain Bottlenecks in Low-Carbon Energy Technologies

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    In order to tackle climate change, to increase energy supply security and to foster the sustainability and competitiveness of the European economy, the EU has made the transition to a low-carbon economy a central policy priority. This report builds on the first study conducted in 2011 (Critical Metals in Strategic Energy Technologies), where critical metals were identified which could become a bottleneck to the supply-chain of various low-carbon energy technologies. The first study concentrated on the six SET-Plan technologies, namely: wind, solar (both PV and CSP), CCS, nuclear fission, bioenergy and the electricity grid. Fourteen metals were identified to be a cause for concern. After taking into account market and geopolitical parameters, five metals were labelled ‘critical’, namely: tellurium, indium, gallium, neodymium and dysprosium. The potential supply chain constraints for these materials were most applicable to the deployment of wind and solar energy technologies. In the follow-up study reported here, other energy and low-carbon technologies are investigated that not only play an important role in the EU's path towards decarbonisation but also may compete for the same metals as identified in the six SET-Plan technologies. Eleven technologies are analysed including fuel cells, electricity storage, electric vehicles and lighting. As in the first report, sixty metals, i.e. metallic elements, metallic minerals and metalloids are considered; only iron, aluminium and radioactive elements were specifically excluded. Graphite was also included, reflecting its status as a critical raw material. Where possible, the study models the implications for materials demand as a result of the scenarios described in the EU Energy Roadmap 2050. Consequently, the results obtained in the first study are updated to reflect the data that has become available in the roadmap. This second study found that eight metals have a high criticality rating and are therefore classified as ‘critical’. These are the six rare earth elements (dysprosium, europium, terbium, yttrium, praseodymium and neodymium), and the two metals gallium and tellurium. Four metals (graphite, rhenium, indium and platinum) are found to have a medium-to-high rating and are classified as ‘near critical’, suggesting that the market conditions for these metals should be monitored in case the markets for these metals deteriorate thereby increasing the risk of supply chain bottlenecks. Metals demand in the electric vehicle, wind, solar and lighting sectors were identified to be of particular concern. As in the first report, ways of mitigating the supply-chain risks for the critical metals are considered. These fall into three categories; increasing primary supply, reuse/recycling and substitution In addition, a number of topics were identified as possibly meriting further research, but could not be considered within the immediate scope of this study. These include conducting further studies to look at raw materials requirements for hybrid and electric vehicles for a wider range of technology uptake and penetration scenarios; developing new and more detailed scenarios for the uptake and technology mix of options for stationary energy storage; undertaking similar studies in defence and aerospace; improving statistics on the contribution of recycling to world production for a number of metals; and investigating the contribution of greater traceability and transparency to reducing raw materials supply risk. Finally, it is important not to overstate the bottlenecks due to the risks of raw material shortages for key decarbonisation technologies. This is because there are still many years before the large uptake of some technologies and in the coming years, there are numerous options that will become available to mitigate the risks identified.JRC.F.6-Energy systems evaluatio

    Modelling and Calculation of Raw Material Industry

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    The raw materials industry is widely considered to be too environmentally costly, and causing more losses than benefits. The responsible solving of the problems caused by this industry is not “exporting” its operations to less developed countries, but addressing all recognized hazards with dedicated technological developments. Such an approach is presented by the authors of this book. The contributions deal with the optimization of processes in the raw materials industry, obtaining energy from alternative fuels, researching the environmental aspects of industrial activities. This book determines some guidelines for the sustainable raw materials industry, describing methods of the optimized use of mined deposits and the recovery of materials, reductions in energy consumption and the recuperation of energy, minimizations in the emissions of pollutants, the perfection of quieter and safer processes, and the facilitation of modern materials-, water-, and energy-related techniques and technologies

    International Conference on Energy

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    UBT Annual International Conference is the 11th international interdisciplinary peer reviewed conference which publishes works of the scientists as well as practitioners in the area where UBT is active in Education, Research and Development. The UBT aims to implement an integrated strategy to establish itself as an internationally competitive, research-intensive university, committed to the transfer of knowledge and the provision of a world-class education to the most talented students from all background. The main perspective of the conference is to connect the scientists and practitioners from different disciplines in the same place and make them be aware of the recent advancements in different research fields, and provide them with a unique forum to share their experiences. It is also the place to support the new academic staff for doing research and publish their work in international standard level. This conference consists of sub conferences in different fields like: Art and Digital Media Agriculture, Food Science and Technology Architecture and Spatial Planning Civil Engineering, Infrastructure and Environment Computer Science and Communication Engineering Dental Sciences Education and Development Energy Efficiency Engineering Integrated Design Information Systems and Security Journalism, Media and Communication Law Language and Culture Management, Business and Economics Modern Music, Digital Production and Management Medicine and Nursing Mechatronics, System Engineering and Robotics Pharmaceutical and Natural Sciences Political Science Psychology Sport, Health and Society Security Studies This conference is the major scientific event of the UBT. It is organizing annually and always in cooperation with the partner universities from the region and Europe. We have to thank all Authors, partners, sponsors and also the conference organizing team making this event a real international scientific event. Edmond Hajrizi, President of UBT UBT – Higher Education Institutio

    Materials dependencies for dual-use technologies relevant to Europe's defence sector

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    In order to support the European Commission in the preparation of future initiatives fostering the sustainability of strategic supply chains, this study was commissioned to assess bottlenecks in the supply of materials needed for the development of technologies important to Europe's defence and civil industries. The study focuses on five dual-use technology areas, namely advanced batteries, fuel cells, robotics, unmanned vehicles and additive manufacturing (3D printing). The technologies are preselected on the basis of a previous study (EASME, 2017) that explored the dual-use potential of key enabling technologies in which Europe should strategically invest. In addition, this report examines how these technologies could address specific military needs and their differences in relation to civil needs and identified opportunities for future defence research areas that could potentially serve as a basis for the design of research initiatives to be funded under the future European Defence Fund. Moreover, potential opportunities for common policy actions are also identified, notably: to strengthen Europe's position in the selected technologies’ supply chains; to facilitate collaboration between stakeholders; to increase industry involvement with special emphasis on small and medium-sized enterprises; to improve existent legislation; and increase synergies between civil and defence sectors in order to speed up progress in promising research areas.JRC.C.7-Knowledge for the Energy Unio

    Electric road vehicles for island communities : a study of the potential for introduction in the Scottish islands

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    The advent of high-performance, traffic-compatible, electric road vehicles (EVs) has brought with it an increasing range of uses and this study is concerned with evaluating the suitability of EVs for a hitherto unresearched application for this emerging technology, namely the island communities of Lewis and Harris. The stimulus for the renewed research and development of EVs has resulted largely from concerns about future energy supply, particularly of oil, and environmental conditions. An assessment of the state-of-the-art of EV technology and of traction battery systems in particular is presented. A strategy for development, commercialisation and diffusion is outlined which recognises the nature of the technology and its likely diffusion process. Market segments, such as island communities, which are suitable for early introduction must be identified. The islands of Scotland were chosen for investigation because of their current patterns of transport. The assessment of potential for EV introduction focuses on the requirements of a personal means of transport in terms of factors such as operating performance, utility, reliability, ability to refuel adequately, safety of operation and disposal, economic advantage and acceptability to motorists. Various relationships are established between the state of EV technology and the potential for introduction in the islands. A practical methodology for assessment which adopts a holistic approach is constructed. This is designed to be generally applicable to other similar EV assessments. The methodology employs a series of purpose-built computer simulation models and data collection techniques in order to model real life situations and systems as closely as possible, facilitating the evaluation of market potential and identification of barriers to EV introduction in the islands
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