Mining Engineering Commons^™

Optimizing Hy Wet Ball Mill Efficiency Using Response Surface Methodology, Peng Chen, Ying Hou, Hongxu Lv, Ahmed Sobhy

Mining Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

This study uses response surface methodology (RSM) with a central composite design to optimize the HY wet ball mill work index. Key operational parameters—ore quantity, water addition, and media proportion—were systematically investigated. Variance analysis identified these factors as statistically significant (p < 0.0001), with ore quantity exhibiting the strongest influence (F value = 82.67). Optimal conditions (water addition: 1083.880 mL, media filling rate: 40.362%, ore quantity: 1827.130 g) achieved a minimum work index of 10.195 kW h t⁻¹. Validation tests confirmed the model's accuracy, yielding an average work index of 10.168 kW h t⁻¹ (deviation: 0.027 kW h t⁻¹). Compared to single-factor tests, RSM optimization reduced energy consumption by 3.76% (0.3975 kW h t⁻¹), translating to annual savings of $214,000 for a mid-sized processing plant. This demonstrates RSM's efficacy in …

Using Telemetry To Assess Operator Effects On Hydraulic Shovel Energy Efficiency. Part Ii: Assessing Operator Effects, Noah Adekunle Aluko, Kwame Awuah-Offei

Mining Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

In this second part of a two-part series, this study investigates whether operator practices significantly affect the energy efficiency of hydraulic shovels, using detailed telemetry data. Rather than assuming this relationship, the research systematically tests it through a combination of statistical and regression analyses. First, Welch's and Kruskal–Wallis ANOVA confirm that operators differ significantly in their energy efficiency (p = 0.0000). Next, correlation analysis links parameters identified in Part I to energy per unit loading rate, and difference regression analysis determines which parameters most strongly influence efficiency variations. The results show that differences in payloads are the primary driver of …

Understanding The Usefulness Of Self-Escape Technologies In Underground Mining: Perspectives Of Metal/Nonmetal Miners, Eugene A. Gyawu, Kwame Awuah-Offei, D. A. Baker

Mining Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Research on mine self-escape often focuses on coal mining, while perspectives from underground metal/nonmetal miners remain understudied despite their distinct emergency response challenges and unique operating environments. Using a scenario-based survey approach, this study evaluated underground metal/nonmetal miners' perceptions of the usefulness of 18 hypothetical self-escape interventions and how these perceptions are influenced by worker characteristics. Employment type was the strongest predictor of usefulness ratings, with hourly employees rating several self-escape interventions significantly higher than salaried employees, including those related to improving self-contained self-rescuers (SCSRs) and tethered guidance systems. The data suggested potential trends where perceived usefulness increased with more …

Navigation In Underground Mine Environments: A Simulation Framework For Quadruped Robots, Yixiang Gao, Kwame Awuah-Offei

Mining Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Quadruped robots have shown significant potential for navigating complex and hazardous environments, such as underground mines, where traditional wheeled or tracked systems have limitations. However, their development and deployment are hindered by the disparity between controlled laboratory testing and real-world conditions and the lack of tools (e.g., simulation testbeds) that expedite the required development and testing. This work develops a simulation testbed for expediting and advancing navigation algorithms, perception systems, and control strategies for quadruped robots in subterranean and hazardous environments. By utilizing high-fidelity 3D maps, ranging from intricate cave systems to real-world sites like the Edgar Mine, simulation environment …

Evaluating Feasibility Of Incorporating Fuel Cell Drive Trains Into Existing Haul Trucks, Ayorinde Akinrinlola, Kwame Awuah-Offei, Abdullah Al Moinee

Mining Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Hydrogen, as a fuel source in material handling, has become a viable option for achieving carbon reduction targets. The objective of this work was to apply vehicle drive train and energy simulation in MATLAB/Simulink to guide a discussion of the challenges and opportunities of incorporating hydrogen fuel cell drive trains into the current form factors of mine haul trucks. We built and validated a model based on the Komatsu 830-E truck and used it to estimate the hydrogen requirements for typical short-haul, medium-haul, and long-haul cycles; in the short-haul case (cycle time = 852 s) the truck consumed 23.6 L …

Optimizing Acid Mist Suppression: Unraveling Surfactant Effects On Bubble Formation And Bursting Dynamics In Copper Electrowinning, Ashish Kakoria, Mirza Muhammad Zaid, Aamir Iqbal, Ellen Amoako Afful, Guang Xu

Mining Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

The working mechanism of surfactant to reduce acid mist in copper electrowinning system is not well understood. Most of the studies are based on the surface tension reduction phenomenon but this is not the only function that causes acid mist reduction. In this paper, we investigated the effect of different surfactants on a bubble's residence time, terminal velocity, flow regime, and bursting dynamics using a high-speed camera. We have evaluated five different surfactants and found that the presence of surfactants reduces the terminal velocity, bubble diameter, and increases the residence time of the bubble in electrolyte. Especially for FC-1100, the …

Delineating Underground Geological Formations: An Integrated Lidar And Camera-Based Approach For Enhanced Feature Identification In Poorly Lit Mining Environments, Timothy James Batchler

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Underground mining environments present challenges in accurately identifying geological formations and potential hazards due to poor lighting conditions and confined spaces. Traditional imaging methods often fall short, making it difficult to detect critical geological features such as limestone, shale, and other rock formations. This research addresses these challenges by integrating camera imagery with Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) data to improve geological formation detection in poorly lit mining settings.

LiDAR, with its ability to generate high-resolution three-dimensional models in low-light or dark conditions, offers a promising solution to these limitations. By combining LiDAR’s precise 3D models with camera imagery, the …

Mid-Field Shock And Impulse Estimation Methods For Blast Loading On Tall Targets, Ethan Allan Steward

Doctoral Dissertations

Blast resistant structural design continues to be a major research area for governments around the world due to explosive threats from both state and non-state actors. Many of the typical targets of explosive attacks, such as government buildings, commercial high rise office buildings, and apartment complexes are mid to high-occupancy buildings that present a tall profile relative to the charge size and are often clad in curtain walls. In blast resistant structural design, the origin of a shock wave is typically assumed to be in the far-field, creating a wave that is nearly planar and parallel to at least one …

A Comparative Study Of Conventional And Statistically Active Corrosion Methods For Corrosion Growth Assessment Of A 24-Inch Gas Pipeline, Rudi Rinaldi, Jaka Fajar Fatriansyah

Journal of Materials Exploration and Findings

Component failures in oil and gas pipelines can have fatal consequences, leading to operational downtimes and environmental damage. Knowledge of the corrosion growth rate is fundamental to pipeline integrity management, as it is essential for risk assessment and decisions related to asset management. This article aimed to compare two approaches for the corrosion growth estimation of the 24-inch offshore gas pipeline: the conventional method versus the Statistically Active Corrosion (SAC) method. This article is based on the in-line inspection (ILI) results of two consecutive assessments from 2020 to 2023 of the entire 73 km of the pipeline. The results show …

Coal Gasification Through Microbial Degradation In A Low-Pressure Co2 And H2 Environment: An Experimental Study, Jian Kuo, Fu Xuehai, Liu Mingjie, Liu Jian, Li Jin, Ru Zhongliang, Ji Xiaofeng, Wang Qiang

Coal Geology & Exploration

Objective and Methods This study aims to investigate the characteristics of CO₂ biomethanation and coal gasification through microbial degradation in a low-pressure environment. With low-rank bituminous coals (R_max = 0.67%) as fermentable substrates, this study conducted a 96-day gas production experiment through microbial fermentation in a low-pressure CO₂ and H₂ environment. Using techniques including gas chromatography, 16S rRNA gene sequencing, and low-temperature liquid nitrogen adsorption, this study delved into the intrinsic variation patterns of biogenic gas production, microbial communities, and coal structures. Results and Conclusions The results indicate that compared to conventional fermentation, the injection …

Predicted Water Yield Of Open-Pit Metal Mines Based On A Bi-Rnn And Gms Coupling Model, Zhao Yuxing, Li Xiangwen

Coal Geology & Exploration

Objective Accurately predicting water yield of mine before mining can provide directive guidance for preventing potential water hazards and ensuring safe production. Methods To enhance the prediction accuracy and stability of water yield of open-pit metal mines, for which atmospheric precipitation acts as the primary recharge source of water, this study developed a prediction model that coupled a bidirectional recurrent neural network (Bi-RNN) and the Groundwater Modeling System (GMS) software. Specifically, based on historical forecasted precipitation data provided by the Global Forecast System (GFS), the fluctuation pattern of differences between predicted forecasted and actual precipitation was analyzed. After being corrected …

An Experimental Study Of The Application Of The Spectral Acoustic Method To The Advance Detection Of Geologic Structures In Tunnelling Working Site, Zhang Jianguo, Feng Zhicheng, Wei Fengqing, Ma Ji, Zhao Kai, Wang Man, Guo Minggong, Шилов Владимир Иванович

Coal Geology & Exploration

Objective The practice of coal mine production has proved that the vast majority of coal and gas outbursts are controlled by geological structures, and mainly occur in tunnelling working site. Therefore, continuous advanced detection of geological structures is an important technical means to prevent and control coal and gas outbursts in tunnelling working site, and is of great significance to ensure safe production in mines. Methods Based on the research results of spectral acoustic method in Russia for many years, the resonance phenomenon generated at the weakened contact surface of the roof rock layer by the artificial acoustic signal excited …

Application Of Microseismic Monitoring In The Optimization Of Control Strategy For Roofs Composed Of Composite Hard Sandstone Masses, Zhang Yin, Li Jiajun, Zhao Qian, Yang Chenchen, Liu Jiaqi, Zhou Yu

Coal Geology & Exploration

Objective With a gradual increase in the coal mining depth in China, the movement of overlying thick and hard rock layers exerts increasingly complex impacts on the mine pressure. Methods In the Ordos area, the overburden of the mining face of most mines hosts composite hard sandstone masses, serving as key layers characterized by considerable thicknesses, high hardness, and close proximity. Results and Conclusions As a result, the risks of mine earthquakes and dynamic manifestation co-exist in the mining face. With the roof of mining face11-3106 in a coal mine within the Ordos mining area as the engineering background, this …

A Dc-Unet-Based Image Processing Method For Detecting Fractures Along Roadway Sections Of Coal Mines, Dong Zheng, Zhang Xuhui, Yang Wenjuan, Kang Le, Tang Duwei, Tian Chenhui

Coal Geology & Exploration

Objective Detecting fractures along roadway sections of coal mines allows for the characterization of the geologic conditions of roadways, thus providing guidance for roadway tunneling and support engineering. However, conventional image processing methods for fractures along roadway sections are susceptible to complex environments in underground coal mines, exhibiting a low fracture detection efficiency. Methods This study proposed a novel image processing method for detecting fractures along roadway sections based on a DC-UNet model. This method can be deployed on a mobile terminal and an embedded device, thereby allowing for real-time and effective detection of fractures along roadway sections and enhancing …

Development Of A Power Recovery-Based Dynamic Loading System For Full-Size Drill Rods In Coal Mines, Zhang Jing, Wang Jie

Coal Geology & Exploration

Objective This study aims to simulate the actual forces applied to drill rods during the borehole drilling for gas drainage from underground coal mines to satisfy the requirements of drill rods’ fatigue tests. Methods This study designed a dynamic loading system for full-size drill rods in coal mines. This system consists of a drill rod loading platform, a hydraulic pump unit with power recovery, and a measurement and control system, allowing for the composite loading of dynamic torque, axial force, and radial displacement on drill rods of different specifications. In this system, torque is loaded to drill rods using the …

Table Of Contents, The Editors

Coal Geology & Exploration

No abstract provided.

Failure Depths Of Stope Floors Under Dynamic Loading Induced By Roof Breaking, Huang Qisong, Xu Bo, Feng Junjun, Lin Xiaofei, Cheng Jiulong, Peng Jun

Coal Geology & Exploration

Objective Accurately assessing the failure depths of stope floors is crucial for assessing floor water inrush risks. Conventional theoretical models for calculating the failure depths generally merely consider static loads from the support pressure and confined water's pressure in stopes, leading to large deviations between calculation results and actual situations. Therefore, constructing a more practical computational model that comprehensively considers the coupled effects of multiple force sources on the failure of deep floors can provide a scientific basis for the effective prevention and control of water hazards in deep coal seam floors. Methods Based on the dynamic elasticity theory and …

Construction And Correction Of A 3d Digital Twin For A Complex Gangue-Bearing Coal Seam, Zhang Meichen, Zhao Lijuan, Wang Yadong, Zhang Kai

Coal Geology & Exploration

Objective 3D digital twin for complex gangue-bearing coal seams are designed to achieve an information-based description of physical coal seams and faithfully map their virtual forms. digital twin is identified as a prerequisite for exploring the efficient cutting of intelligent shearers while providing an effective data guarantee for achieving unmanned mining. Methods Using data on samples from the mining face of coal seam 17 in the Yankuang Energy Group Co., Ltd. Shandong Province, this study proposed a methodology that integrates more information about the geological structural conditions of coal seams. Specifically, digital twining of iron sulfide nodules was performed using …

Influence Mechanisms Of Dynamic Metamorphism On The Evolution Of Micro/Nano Pore Structures In Tectonically Deformed Coals, Liu Hewu, Lyu Xiaoxue, Hou Chenliang, Xiong Zuopeng

Coal Geology & Exploration

Objective Micro/nano pore structures in coals act as a significant space for gas occurrence. Exploring the evolutionary mechanisms of micro/nano pore structures in tectonically deformed coals (TDCs) under the influence of dynamic metamorphism assists in gaining a deep understanding of the mechanisms underlying coal and gas outbursts. Methods Using CO₂ adsorption experiments, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, and molecular dynamics simulations, this study investigated the evolutionary characteristics and mechanisms of micro/nano pore structures in different TDCs occurring within the No.72 coal seam of the Qi’nan Coal Mine in Suzhou Province. Results and Conclusions The results indicate that with enhanced …

Mechanisms And Influential Factors Of Rock Bursts In Tunneling Roadways Of Extra-Thick Coal Seams, Peng Yujie, Wang Qiang, Cao Anye, Xue Chengchun, Lyu Guowei, Hao Qi, Liu Yaoqi, Bai Xianxi, Li Dong

Coal Geology & Exploration

Objective Rock bursts occur frequently in tunneling roadways of extra-thick coal seams, significantly constraining safe coal mining. Investigating their mechanisms and influential factors is crucial to preventing and controlling such disasters in tunneling roadways of extra-thick coal seams. Methods Focusing on the tunneling roadway of mining face 250107-1 for an extra-thick coal seam within a coal mine in Gansu Province, this study established the discriminant indices for rock burst-induced roadway instability. By simulating the energy distribution patterns of surrounding rocks in the tunneling roadway using the FLAC^3D software, this study revealed the zonal energy characteristics of the surrounding rocks …