Scale and numerical modeling to determine operating points of a non-clogging Vortecone filter in mining operation

Numerical and scale modeling studies of Vortecone, a pressure-driven wet-scrubber device for the efficient capture of over-sprayed paint in the automobile industry, are presented. In this manuscript, Vortecone was tested for removing dust particles from underground mining operations. The pressures required to operate Vortecone and the airflow rates through the Vortecone are the two most important factors for mine ventilation systems. This study used dry, no-particle conditions to obtain relationship between these two parameters and then designed a Vortecone filter ventilation system for mining operations. Commercial software, SC/Flow, was used to generate the CFD model with unstructured meshes and a series of numerical calculations were accomplished. Included in these were calculation of a 1/3rd scale model of Vortecone along with experimentation that was accomplished to validate the numerical predictions. The experiments were conducted to measure pressure drops for known airflow velocities at critical points within Vortecone. The scale model experimental results agreed very well with the CFD numerical calculations. For scaling the performance of the 1/3rd scale model to full scale, the scaling laws were developed using the law approach; they are discussed along with the feasibility of the Vortecone filter system for underground mining operations

Mining: Navigating global waters - 2015 SME Annual Conference

The underground coal mining industry in the United States has recently seen the occurrences of several high profile, multi-fatality events. The explosions that occurred at the Sago Mine in 2006, the Darby Mine in 2006, and the Upper Big Branch Mine in 2010 have caused a ripple in an otherwise steadily improving safety record. These events transpired in the midst of an unprecedented level of government regulations and modern safety technologies. The recent increase in fatal events in conjunction with a minimal decline of both fatal and non-fatal injuries over the past decade may signify that current safety practices have reached a level of diminishing returns. Risk management, a safety approach that has been successfully applied in various industries including mining across the world, may provide a means to surpass the safety plateau in the U.S. RISKGATE is an Australian risk management program for mines that shows great potential for application in the U.S. However, fundamental differences between the coal mining industries in Australia and in the U.S. prevent direct implementation. This paper discusses aspects of the RISKGATE body of knowledge that require some adaptation before this program may be applied to the U.S. mining industry

Risk management: adapting Riskgate for underground coal mines in the United States

The U.S. underground coal mining industry has recently seen the occurrences of several multifatality events that have interrupted an otherwise steadily improving safety record. These events transpired even with an unprecedented level of government regulations and safety technologies. These events may indicate that current safety practices have reached a level of diminishing returns. Risk management, a safety approach that has been successfully applied in numerous industries including mining, may provide a means to overcome this plateau. Riskgate is an Australian mining risk management program that may be successfully applied in the United States. However, fundamental differences between the Australian and U.S. coal mining industries prevent direct implementation. This paper discusses aspects of the Riskgate body of knowledge that require adaptation for its application in the United States

Risk management: Adapting RISKGATE for underground coal mines in the United States

The underground coal mining industry in the United States has recently seen the occurrences of several high profile, multi-fatality events. The explosions that occurred at the Sago Mine in 2006, the Darby Mine in 2006, and the Upper Big Branch Mine in 2010 have caused a ripple in an otherwise steadily improving safety record. These events transpired in the midst of an unprecedented level of government regulations and modem safety technologies. The recent increase in fatal events in conjunction with a minimal decline of both fatal and non-fatal injuries over the past decade may signify that current safety practices have reached a level of diminishing returns. Risk management, a safety approach that has been successfully applied in various industries including mining across the world, may provide a means to surpass the safety plateau in the U.S. RISKGATE is an Australian risk management program for mines that shows great potential for application in the U.S. However, fundamental differences between the coal mining industries in Australia and in the U.S. prevent direct implementation. This paper discusses aspects of the RISKGATE body of knowledge that require some adaptation before this program may be applied to the U.S. mining industry