Mining Engineering Commons^™

Utilization Of Booster Fans In Underground Mines, Arash Habibi Javanbakht

Masters Theses

"Booster fans are large underground fans that can increase the volumetric efficiency of ventilation systems by balancing the pressure and quantity distribution throughout a mine, reducing leakage and reducing the total power requirement. The objective of this study is to provide potential users of booster fans with the necessary information on the design, installation and operation of main underground fans. The guidelines listed in this paper were formulated based on current U.S. and international standards, safe operating practices developed by the mining industry, and recommendations provided by fan manufacturers. The principles involved in the design and installation of booster fans …

Stochastic-Optimization Of Equipment Productivity In Multi-Seam Formations, Elijah Adadzi

Masters Theses

"Short and long range planning and execution for multi-seam coal formations (MSFs) are challenging with complex extraction mechanisms. Stripping equipment selection and scheduling are functions of the physical dynamics of the mine and the operational mechanisms of its components, thus its productivity is dependent on these parameters. Previous research studies did not incorporate quantitative relationships between equipment productivities and extraction dynamics in MSFs. The intrinsic variability of excavation and spoiling dynamics must also form part of existing models. This research formulates quantitative relationships of equipment productivities using Branch-and-Bound algorithms and Lagrange Parameterization approaches. The stochastic processes are resolved via Monte …

Methods For Evaluating Effect Of Operators On Drag Line Energy Efficiency, Maryam Abdi Oskouei

Masters Theses

"Draglines are dominant machines and the most significant electricity consumers in surface coal mines. With the growing price of energy, environmental concerns, and the high sensitivity of mine profitability to dragline productivity, any improvement in efficiency of dragline will be beneficial for mines. Research has shown that operator practices have a significant impact on energy efficiency of mining loading tools. However, not enough work has been done to provide guidance on how to quantitatively assess the effect of operator practices on dragline energy efficiency.

The objectives of this work were to: (i) test the hypothesis that dragline operator's practices and …

Extension Of Thickness-Dependent Dielectric Breakdown Law On Adiabatically Compressed Ferroelectric Materials, S. I. Shkuratov, Jason Baird, E. F. Talantsev

Mining Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

It is experimentally found that the E_b(d) = γ  · d ^-ξ law describing the thickness-dependent breakdown electric field for solid dielectrics at ambient conditions can be extended for dielectrics in other thermodynamic states. It follows from the experimental results reported herein that the breakdown field, E_b(d), of Pb(Zr₀.₉₅Ti₀.₀₅)O₃ (PZT 95/5) and Pb(Zr₀.₅₂Ti₀.₄₈)O₃ (PZT 52/48) ferroelectrics subjected to explosive adiabatic compression obeys the above-mentioned law in a wide range of voltages, up to 150 kV.

Spatial Variation Of Amd Related Co₂ Emissions On Reclaimed Mine Spoil, Moagabo Mathiba

Doctoral Dissertations

"Carbon dioxide (CO₂) from acid mine drainage (AMD)-carbonate neutralization reactions in reclaimed mine spoils, can intermittently invade homes and structures constructed on or adjacent to these spoils in hazardous and even lethal concentrations (>15%) and rendering them uninhabitable. This phenomenon is beginning to be recognized as an emerging environmental, safety and health threat with potential environmental and financial liability for mine operators, developers and owners.

Like in natural soils, soil temperature and moisture, and possibly elevation are likely to influence CO₂ emissions from reclaimed mine spoils. However, mine spoil soils are heterogeneous and have significant convective transport due to …