Engineering Commons^™

Bio-Physical Closure Criteria Without Reference Sites: Realistic Targets In Modified Rivers, Melanie L. Blanchette, Mark Lund, Robyn Stoney, Digby Short, Colm Harkin

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

The use of reference sites for establishing closure criteria in areas disturbed by mining activities is common practice. ‘Reference’ sites are those considered to be largely unimpacted by anthropogenic activity (retaining desirable natural characteristics), and occurring near disturbed sites. Sites are considered rehabilitated when their biophysical condition approximates that of the reference site. However, this approach often creates impossible or unrealistic targets for miners seeking to close rehabilitated lands. For example, reference sites are often limited in availability (or non-existent) due to impacts by other land uses. Further, any available reference sites might not be realistic matches for the rehabilitated …

Degradation Of Organic Pollutants And Microorganisms From Wastewater Using Different Dielectric Barrier Discharge Configurations—A Critical Review, Emile S.Massima Mouele, Jimoh O. Tijani, Ojo O. Fatoba, Leslie F. Petrik

Mining Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

The growing global drinking water crisis requires the development of novel advanced, sustainable, and cost-effective water treatment technologies to supplement the existing conventional methods. One such technology is advanced oxidation based on dielectric barrier discharge (DBD). DBD such as single and double planar and single and double cylindrical dielectric barrier configurations have been utilized for efficient degradation of recalcitrant organic pollutants. The overall performance of the different DBD system varies and depends on several factors. Therefore, this review was compiled to give an overview of different DBD configurations vis-a-viz their applications and the in-situ mechanism of generation of free reactive …

Information Seeking Behaviour Of Petroleum Engineers In Niger Delta Region Of Nigeria: A Survey, Edonkumoh Victor Ebiye (Mlis), Ngwuchukwu M. N (Phd), Emmanuel Agyo (Mlis)

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

The success of the petroleum industry at all levels depend largely on petroleum engineers’ awareness and access to relevant information for making sound Exploration and Production decisions. This study investigated the information seeking behaviour of Petroleum Engineers in selected companies in the Niger Delta Region of Nigeria. A survey design was adopted using questionnaire as the instrument for collecting primary data from 250 petroleum engineers randomly selected from four oil companies. Data gathered were analysed using frequencies, simple percentages and mean score count. Results showed that petroleum engineers spent time seeking health and safety information, oil and gas E&P information, …

Karst Paleo-Collapses And Their Impacts On Mining And The Environment In Northern China, Gongyu Li, Wanfang Zhou

Sinkhole Conference 2015

Karst paleo-collapses are unique collapse structures widely found in the coal measures of northern China. Their geometric dimensions and internal properties indicate that a compound dissolution of carbonate and gypsum rocks may contribute to their formation. When these collapses are permeable to groundwater flow, they hydraulically connect the coal seams and the karst aquifers, which is a pre-requisite for water inrushes during coal mining. Over the last 40 years, water inrushes through these collapses have caused fatalities, economic losses, and degradation in the environment in northern China. Determination of locations and hydrogeological characteristics of the karst paleo-collapses are essential in …

The Impact Of Mpowir A Decade Of Investing In Mentoring Women In Physical Oceanography, Sarah Clem, Sonya Legg, Susan Lozier, Colleen B. Mouw

Michigan Tech Publications, Part 1

MPOWIR (Mentoring Physical Oceanography Women to Increase Retention) is a US communityinitiated and community-led mentoring program aimed at improving the retention of women physical oceanographers in academic and/or research positions. This article describes the MPOWIR program elements designed by the US physical oceanography community, quantifies the participation in these programs, describes MPOWIR’s impact to date, and outlines future directions. An examination of surveys to date indicates that MPOWIR, several years after its implementation, is having a positive impact on the retention of junior women in physical oceanography, primarily by giving them a broad professional network and focused mentoring.

Review Of Sampling And Evaluation Techniques For Diesel Exhaust Particulate Matter In The Mining Industry And The Application Of A Vapor Phase Organic Carbon Correction Factor, Ryley Bosch

Graduate Theses & Non-Theses

The health effects associated with diesel exhaust exposure have been documented for decades. However, methods used to assess diesel exhaust have experienced considerable revision over the past twenty years. The latest sampling methodology considers particulate matter elemental carbon (EC) and organic carbon (OC) analysis along with the vapor phase OC analysis. The objective of this study was to evaluate the influence of vapor phase OC on the current National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) method 5040 sampling and evaluation techniques for diesel exhaust particulate matter.

A pilot study was conducted as part of a larger study evaluation biodiesel …

All-In Sustaining Cost Analysis, Asseu Gilbert Yapo

Graduate Theses & Non-Theses

Cost reporting has focused on the direct cost of mining and processing ore which was summarized in the non-GAAP cash cost developed by the Gold Institute in 1996. In 2013, a group of mining companies, working with the World Gold Council, developed a more inclusive approach to reporting costs designed to solve the dilemma of showing a more comprehensive reflection of recurring costs involved in producing gold, without discouraging investors.

Characterising Volcanic Cycles At Soufriere Hills Volcano, Montserrat: Time Series Analysis Of Multi-Parameter Satellite Data, Verity Flower, Simon Carn

Michigan Tech Publications, Part 1

The identification of cyclic volcanic activity can elucidate underlying eruption dynamics and aid volcanic hazard mitigation. Whilst satellite datasets are often analysed individually, here we exploit the multi-platform NASA A-Train satellite constellation to cross-correlate cyclical signals identified using complementary measurement techniques at Soufriere Hills Volcano (SHV), Montserrat. In this paper we present a Multi-taper (MTM) Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) analysis of coincident SO2 and thermal infrared (TIR) satellite measurements at SHV facilitating the identification of cyclical volcanic behaviour. These measurements were collected by the Ozone Monitoring Instrument (OMI) and Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) (respectively) in the A-Train. We identify …

Design Of Push–Pull System To Control Diesel Particular Matter Inside A Dead-End Entry, Yi Zheng, Magesh Thiruvengadam, Hai Lan, Jerry C. Tien

Mining Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Diesel particulate matter (DPM) is considered to be carcinogenic after prolonged exposure. With more diesel-powered equipment used in underground mines, miners' exposure to DPM has become an increasing concern. This paper used computational fluid dynamics method to study the DPM dispersion in a dead-end entry with loading operation. The effects of different push–pull ventilation systems on DPM distribution were evaluated to improve the working conditions for underground miners. The four push–pull systems considered include: long push and short pull tubing; short push and long pull tubing, long push and curved pull tubing, and short push and curved pull tubing. A …

Capturing Optically Important Constituents And Properties In A Marine Biogeochemical And Ecosystem Model, S. Dutkiewicz, A. E. Hickman, O. Jahn, W. W. Gregg, C. B. Mouw, M. J. Follows, C. Mouw

Michigan Tech Publications, Part 1

We present a numerical model of the ocean that couples a three-stream radiative transfer component with a marine biogeochemical-ecosystem component in a dynamic three-dimensional physical framework. The radiative transfer component resolves the penetration of spectral irradiance as it is absorbed and scattered within the water column. We explicitly include the effect of several optically important water constituents (different phytoplankton functional types; detrital particles; and coloured dissolved organic matter, CDOM). The model is evaluated against in situ-observed and satellite-derived products. In particular we compare to concurrently measured biogeochemical, ecosystem, and optical data along a meridional transect of the Atlantic Ocean. The …

A Geologic Play Book For Utica Shale Appalachian Basin Exploration, John Hickman, Cortland Eble, Ronald A. Riley, Matthew Erenpreiss, Kristin M. Carter, John A. Harper, Brian Dunst, Langhorne “Taury” Smith, Michele L. Cooney, Daniel Soeder, Garrecht Metzger, Jessica Moore, Michael E. Hohn, Susan Pool, John Saucer, Douglas G. Patchen

Appalachian Oil and Natural Gas Research Consortium

This “Geologic Play Book for Utica Shale Appalachian Basin Exploration” (hereafter referred to as the “Utica Shale Play Book Study” or simply “Study”) represents the results of a two-year research effort by workers in five different states with the financial support of fifteen oil and gas industry partners. The Study was made possible through a coordinated effort between the Appalachian Basin Oil & Natural Gas Research Consortium (AONGRC) and the West Virginia University Shale Research, Education, Policy and Economic Development Center.

Optimization Of The Quantity Of Heated/Refrigerated Air Required For Ventilating Underground Mines With Ventilation-On-Request Systems, Samuel C. Wiley

Graduate Theses & Non-Theses

Development of deeper and more complex orebodies has increased the demand for efficient use of the air ventilating underground mining operations. Deeper and heavily mechanized operations present increasing difficulty for maintaining the air temperatures encountered by personnel, which must be removed to ensure their safety and health. The efficient use of air is made possible by the implementation of Ventilation-on-Request (VOR) systems. However, reductions in the quantity of air supplied by VOR may reduce the quantity below that which is necessary for effective heat exchange.

The objective of this thesis is to develop a heat simulation program that will determine …

Seasonal Variability Of Atmospheric Nitrogen Oxides And Non-Methane Hydrocarbons At The Geosummit Station, Greenland, L. J. Kramer, D. Helmig, J. F. Burkhart, A. Stohl, S. Oltmans, R. E. Honrath

Michigan Tech Publications, Part 1

Measurements of atmospheric nitrogen oxides NOx (NOx = NO + NO2), peroxyacetyl nitrate (PAN), NOy, and non-methane hydrocarbons (NMHC) were taken at the Greenland Environmental Observatory at Summit (GEOSummit) station, Greenland (72.34° N, 38.29° W; 3212 m a.s.l.), from July 2008 to July 2010. The data set represents the first year-round concurrent record of these compounds sampled at a high latitude Arctic site. Here, the study focused on the seasonal variability of these important ozone (O3) precursors in the Arctic troposphere and the impact from transported anthropogenic and biomass burning emissions. Our analysis shows that PAN is the dominant NOy …

Quantitative Correlation Of Rainfall And Earth Surface Displacements For Slope Stability Studies, Chrysanthos Steiakakis, Evangelia Apostolou, Georgia Papavgeri, Zacharias Agioutantis, Achilleas Tripolitsiotis

Mining Engineering Faculty Publications

It is common sense that the possibility of a rockfall increases after an intense rainfall and it is well documented that rainfalls accelerate earth surface displacements such as landslides and rockfalls. This qualitative correlation is highly affected by the geology and climate condition of the area under consideration. The research project entitled "Development of an integrated system for rockfall identification in highways", funded by the Operational Program Competitiveness and Entrepreneurship (co-funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF)) aims to develop an operational system for early warning of rockfalls that occur along transportation corridors. To accomplish this goal the influence …

Detection Of Small-Scale Rockfall Incidents Using Their Seismic Signature, Achilleas Tripolitsiotis, Antonis Daskalakis, Stelios Mertikas, Dionysios Hristopulos, Zacharias Agioutantis, Panagiotis Partsinevelos

Mining Engineering Faculty Publications

Several algorithms have been effectively used to identify the seismic signature of rockfall incidents, which constitute a significant threat for human lives and infrastructure especially when occurring along transportation networks. These algorithms have been mostly evaluated using data from large scale rockfall events that release a large amount of energy. However, low-energy rockfall events (< 100 Joules) triggered by small-sized individual rocks falling from small heights can be severely destructive. In this study, a three-parameter algorithm has been developed to identify low-energy rockfall events. An experimental setup was implemented to 1) validate the results obtained by this algorithm against visual inspection of seismic signals records, 2) define the optimal algorithm parameterization to minimize false alarms, and 3) investigate whether tri-axial vibration monitoring can be replaced by a uniaxial device in order to reduce the installation cost of a real-time rockfall monitoring system. It was found that the success rate of the proposed algorithm exceeds 80% independently of the parameters used, while event identification at a maximum distance with minimal false alarms was achieved when using mean ± 3σ as the threshold criterion and 6 ms and 4 ms as the trigger and event window parameters respectively. Finally, it was found that for the specific experimental setup, a uniaxial device could be used for rockfall event identification.

Spatial Analysis Of Mount St. Helens Tephra Leachate Compositions: Implications For Future Sampling Strategies, P. M. Ayris, P. Delmelle, B. Pereira, E. C. Maters, D. E. Damby, A. J. Durant, D. B. Dingwell

Michigan Tech Publications, Part 1

Tephra particles in physically and chemically evolving volcanic plumes and clouds carry soluble sulphate and halide salts to the Earth’s surface, ultimately depositing volcanogenic compounds into terrestrial or aquatic environments. Upon leaching of tephra in water, these salts dissolve rapidly. Previous studies have investigated the spatial and temporal variability of tephra leachate compositions during an eruption in order to gain insight into the mechanisms of gas-tephra interaction which emplace those salts. However, the leachate datasets analysed are typically small and may poorly represent the natural variability and complexity of tephra deposits. Here, we have conducted a retrospective analysis of published …

An Evaluation Of Carbon Concentrations Associated With Biodiesel Particulate Matter In An Underground Metal Mine, David Evans

Graduate Theses & Non-Theses

Exposure to diesel particulate matter from diesel exhaust has been shown to have adverse health effects in humans. In 2012 The International Agency for Research on Cancer classified diesel exhaust as a group 1 know human carcinogen. Because of the associated health effects, there has been a strong push to reduce the amount of diesel exhaust present in the mining industry. Biodiesel is one to the more common and promising control options used to reduce the amount of diesel particulate matter that is generated during fuel combustion. The use of biodiesel over petroleum diesel has been shown to reduce not …

Knowledge Management At Eni: A Case Study Of Managing Knowledge In An International Oil And Gas Company, Lauren Elizabeth Vecchietti, Kevin Delaney, Gianna Giudicati, Filippo Capriotti

Level 3

International oil and gas companies operate in a competitive environment where superior performance demands that opportunities be identified, evaluated and exploited to minimise time to market and create value for the stakeholders. To do so such companies rely on their human resources, state of the art technology, advanced management systems, innovation and knowledge to maintain competitive advantage. Oil and gas companies have long recognised the importance of knowledge management in achieving this goal. To the forefront of these oil and gas companies is Eni, which is one of the largest oil companies in the world. This paper represents an opportunity …

What A Ride: Mining Industry To University, Scott Rosenthal

Mining Engineering

This paper will share my ‘shift in career direction’ journey from corporate mine engineer, with 31 years of mining various commodities with a wide range of responsibilities in a variety of countries, to the world of academia. There are times in one’s career that a change is required, albeit perhaps not as drastic of a change as moving to teaching. This paper will share how the transition arose, the decision to make the change, the challenges of the first year in academia, and the journey within academia going into the second year.

Management Challenges In Nurturing A Safe Work Environment, Thomas W. Camm

Mining Engineering

As engineers, we are trained to use logical, rational problem solving to insure our mines operate at maximum efficiency. We tend to use the same technical approach to design safety into all mining systems. This works well for machines, but not so much for the human component. Recent insights in the field of behavioral economics provide useful ideas for addressing the fact that we are driven by emotions more often than by rational thought. Understanding the nonrational aspect of human behavior is an important piece of any safety system design.

Stratospheric Volcanic Ash Emissions From The 13 February 2014 Kelut Eruption, N. I. Kristiansen, A. J. Prata, A. Stohl, S. A. Carn

Michigan Tech Publications, Part 1

Mount Kelut (Indonesia) erupted explosively around 15:50 UT on 13 February 2014 sending ash and gases into the stratosphere. Satellite ash retrievals and dispersion transport modeling are combined within an inversion framework to estimate the volcanic ash source term and to study ash transport. The estimated source term suggests that most of the ash was injected to altitudes of 16-17km, in agreement with space-based lidar data. Modeled ash concentrations along the flight track of a commercial aircraft that encountered the ash cloud indicate that it flew under the main ash cloud and encountered maximum ash concentrations of 9±3mgm-3, mean concentrations …

Computational Fluid Dynamics (Cfd) Modeling And Validation Of Dust Capture By A Novel Flooded Bed Dust Scrubber Incorporated Into A Longwall Shearer Operating In A Us Coal Seam, Ashish R. Kumar

Theses and Dissertations--Mining Engineering

Dust is a detrimental, but unavoidable, consequence of any mining process. It is particularly problematic in underground coal mining, where respirable coal dust poses the potential health risk of coal workers’ pneumoconiosis (CWP). Float dust, if not adequately diluted with rock dust, also creates the potential for a dust explosion initiated by a methane ignition. Furthermore, recently promulgated dust regulations for lowering a miner’s exposure to respirable coal dust will soon call for dramatic improvements in dust suppression and capture.

Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) results are presented for a research project with the primary goal of applying a flooded-bed dust …

The Relative Effect Of Charge Dimensions On Elastic Vibration Attenuation And Blast-Induced Seismic Energy Concepts, Nathan Thomas Rouse

Doctoral Dissertations

"This dissertation focuses on expanding the blasting industry's current understanding of the effect of charge geometry on blast vibration attenuation. The work includes a multiple regression analysis of a sample population of signature hole blast vibration data. The regression analysis is used to identify the relative effect of the variables that affect blast vibrations at various distances from the charge. The study suggests that the most common vibration models used in the blasting industry do not use all of the statistically significant variables. Therefore, the models neglect to fully describe the relationship between the significant variables and the blast vibration. …

Sustainable Disposal Of Coal Processing Waste Streams, Mohammad Rezaee

Theses and Dissertations--Mining Engineering

Modern coal preparation facilities incorporate a wide array of solid-solid and solid-liquid separation processes for rejecting mineral matter to meet market specifications. The coarse mineral matter is typically placed into engineered refuse piles whereas the fine refuse is either stored in impoundments or co-disposed with the coarse refuse. The discharge water from the refuse material represents an environmental concern due to the potential release of trace elements, and the subsequent elevation of total dissolved solids and conductivity. The research findings reported in this dissertation addresses sustainable coal processing waste disposal through using strategies aimed at minimizing the environmental impacts. To …

Simulation Of Dpm Distribution In A Long Single Entry With Buoyancy Effect, Yi Zheng, Magesh Thiruvengadam, Hai Lan, Jerry Tien C.

Mining Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Diesel particulate matter (DPM) is considered carcinogenic after prolonged exposure. With more diesel-powered equipment used in underground mines, miners' exposure to DPM has become an increasing concern. This paper used computational fluid dynamics (CFD) method to study DPM distribution based on an experiment conducted by the Diesel Emissions Evaluation Program (DEEP) in Canada. Twenty-four cases were simulated where the emissions from both truck and load-haul-dumps (LHDs) were examined. Each vehicle was placed in two stream wise locations, and the vehicles were oriented either facing or with the rear end toward the main fresh airflow. A species transport model with buoyancy …

Determination Of Explosive Energy Partition Values In Rock Blasting Through Small-Scale Testing, Joshua Calnan

Theses and Dissertations--Mining Engineering

Blasting is a critical part of most mining operations. The primary function of blasting is to fragment and move rock. For decades, attempts have been made at increasing the efficiency of blasting to reduce costs and increase production. Most of these attempts involve trial and error techniques that focus on changing a single output. These techniques are costly and time consuming and it has been shown that as one output is optimized other outputs move away from their optimum level. To truly optimize a blasting program, the transfer of explosive energy into individual components must be quantified. Explosive energy is …

Korean Anthracite Coal Cleaning By Means Of Dry And Wet Based Separation Technologies, Majid Mahmoodabadi

Theses and Dissertations--Mining Engineering

Korean coals are typically high rank anthracite characterized by high ash content and difficult cleaning characteristics. The main objective of the study was to evaluate the feasibility of treating various size fractions within the coal using an assortment of physical coal cleaning technologies. Dry cleaning is preferred due to the friability of the coal. As such, three pneumatic processes were tested including Ore Sorting for the plus 10 mm material, Air Table Separation for 10 x 1 mm fraction and Tribo-electric Separator for - 1 mm fraction. The Dense Medium Cyclone is known to be one of the most efficient …

Pilot Scale Demonstration And Evaluation Of Innovative Non-Deslimed Non-Classified Gravity-Fed Hm Cyclone, Yumo Zhang

Theses and Dissertations--Mining Engineering

Coal preparation plants are required in some cases to produce a high-grade product using a low specific gravity cut-point. For these situations, a second higher gravity separation would be desirable to generate a mid-grade product that can be utilized for electricity generation thereby maximizing coal recovery. A study was conducted to evaluate the potential of achieving efficient separations at two different density cut-points in a single stage using a three-product dense medium cyclone. Variations in density cut-point and process efficiency values were quantified as a function of the feed medium density, feed medium-to-coal ratio, and feed pressure using a three-level …

Total Cost Optimization For Contour Blasting In The Appalachia Region, Brett Christopher Jackson

Theses and Dissertations--Mining Engineering

This thesis recounts the study of contour blasting practices in the Appalachia coal region. Contour blasting practices vary widely and problems are often encountered. Several different sites were visited and contour blasting practices at each were studied. Based on the information gathered, a comprehensive plan was developed for blasting operations to follow and then was tested and compared to an example of blasting practices without use of the plan. The blasting practices were compared by examining monthly production rates as well as a time study to measure the efficiency a contour blast could be loaded and hauled away and a …

Analysis Of The Armps Database Using Flac3d; A Pillar Stability Comparison For Room And Pillar Coal Mines During Development, Ali Soltani

Theses and Dissertations--Mining Engineering

Designing a safe and economical mining activity is the main goal of every mine design engineer. With the rise of computer modeling in mine design there is a need for a standardized method to use geologic characterization of rocks in engineering design. In this research, first a review of empirical methods will be conducted and after that a step-by-step method is presented to adequately use FLAC3D, for development pillars, in room and pillar mine in development stage. ARMPS database is used to evaluate the FLAC3D model results. ARMPS database consists of 645 case study in room and pillar mines. 170 …