Mining Engineering Commons^™

Investigation Of Anomalous Data Trends During Coal Dust Explosibilty Testing, Jacob Lee Miller

Doctoral Dissertations

Coal dust explosibility is a health and safety concern that has been a recognized hazard for over 100 years. Initial testing by the Author using a Siwek 20L apparatus recorded a secondary maximum pressure at higher dust concentrations (1,000-7,000g/m³) with Pulverized Pittsburgh Coal (PCC). Higher dust concentrations are beyond the typical ASTM E1226 testing procedure but are possible in mining and processing scenarios. No reference documents have been discovered that show a secondary maximum pressure at higher dust concentrations. Literature reviewed identified that once a coal dust concertation generates a peak pressure, the pressure remains constant or decreases …

Projectile Generator Design For Underground Coal Mine Seal Testing, Ethan Allan Steward

Masters Theses

"Underground coal mines have several dangers, one of the most hazardous of which is the possibility of an explosion caused by the ignition of methane gas. To reduce ventilation costs, coal mines have the option to close off abandoned areas that are no longer active with structural seals to keep an explosion from propagating into working areas of the mine. Though seals have been designed to resist the overpressure, none have been evaluated for their resistance to the impact of heavy objects. Underground explosions produce high velocity gasses that, traveling through mine openings, may propel objects in the mine at …

Celestite Upgrading By Jigs In Presence Of Steel Balls As Ragging Material, Ahmed Sobhy, Ayman A. El-Midany, Suzan S. Ibrahim

Mining Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Gravity separation using jigs is widely used for coarse particle sizes separation. However, fine sizes reduce jig performance. In this study, the upgrading of celestite ore by jig was investigated at different size fractions in the presence of ragging material. Three size fractions, i.e., -15+2 mm, - 2.0 + 0.50 mm and - 0.50 + 0.08 mm were used. The steel balls were used, as ragging material, to improve the separation of fines as well as to improve the concentrate quality. The statistical design was used to correlate celestite grade and recovery with studied operating variables, i.e., the ragging number …

Evaluation Of Excavated Surface Irregularities And Hardness Of Mechanical Excavations And Their Relationship With Excavator Performance, Prosper Evaristus Akansah Ayawah

Doctoral Dissertations

"This research involved lab and numerical excavation of a clastic sedimentary rock (Roubidoux Sandstone) using a long-bladed disc cutter in a Linear Rock Cutting Machine (LCM) with the aim of establishing relationships between the cutting parameters, excavated surface parameters (underbreaks, overbreaks and hardness), and performance parameters (specific energy and cutting rate). Three-dimensional cutting forces were recorded during the linear cutting. A structured laser imaging system was used to image the excavated surfaces for the estimation of the irregularities (ridge volumes (RV) and overbreak volumes (OV)). The excavated surface hardness was measured using the N-type Schmidt hammer. The numerical simulation was …

Mining Haul Road Defect Detection -- Advancement In Automated Road Extent And Response Calibration For Improved Maintenance, Alexander David Douglas

Doctoral Dissertations

Mine haul roads degrade rapidly due to extremely heavy loads on sub optimal construction materials. This research tests two methods of defect detection to determine limitations to current technology: optical detection and vehicle vibration response. Optical defect detection was found to have the least significant limitations for surface defect detection and vehicle vibration response modeling has the least significant limitations for subsurface defects. This research proposes novel methods to eliminate the critical limitations of both technologies.

Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) equipped with GPS and a high-resolution camera is used to create a 3-D point cloud using a structure-from-motion algorithm. This …

The Effects Of Rigid Polyurethane Foam As A Confinement Material On Breaching Charge Detonations, Nathan Franz Paerschke-O'Brien

Masters Theses

"The effects of a rigid polyurethane foam used as a confinement material on four types of breaching explosives were tested, focusing on the changes in shockwave peak pressures, detonation load compression forces, and brisance cratering abilities. The Plate Dent testing procedure was modified to incorporate a load cell force sensor, and two air overpressure sensors were included adjacent to the blast to quantify each test result. The testing variables focused on the polyurethane foam cure times and thickness volumes around the breaching explosives to determine the breaching charges' optimal energy output capabilities when confined by the foam material. The rigid …

Relating Detonation Parameters To The Detonation Synthesis Of Nanomaterials, Martin Langenderfer

Doctoral Dissertations

“This research investigates the physical and chemical processes that contribute to the detonation synthesis of silicon carbide nanoparticles. Bulk production of SiC nanoparticles through detonation is possible due to pressures achieved over 20 GPa and temperatures over 2000 K as well as quenching rates in excess of 13 billion K/second. These conditions catalyze reaction and bottom-up molecular growth while retaining particles < 100 nm in diameter. In this work, detonation synthesis of SiC was demonstrated by incorporation of polycarbosilane, an SiC precursor material, into an RDX/TNT explosive matrix prior to detonation. Detonation Synthesis of SiC was also accomplished by reacting elemental silicon with carbon liberated by the detonation of negatively oxygen balanced TNT. Hydrodynamic simulation of a 60:40 mass ratio RDX/TNT detonation created conditions thermodynamically suitable to produce cubic silicon carbide within the first 500 nanoseconds after the passage of the detonation wave while carbon remains chemically reactive for molecular formation. Simulations and experimental tests indicated that loading configuration and impedance mismatch of the precursor additives used in detonation synthesis results in conditions in the additives that exceed the accepted detonation pressure of the explosive by greater than three times. Finally, a full factorial experimental design showed increasing silicon concentration, reducing silicon size, and reducing oxygen balance by adjusting the ratio of RDX to TNT decreased the explosives detonation pressure by 20% and increased the soot yield and concentration of SiC observed in the detonation products by 82% and 442% respectively”--Abstract, page iv.

Assessment Of Rib Failure Mechanisms Using Discontinuum Mechanics Based Modeling Approach, Maurice Nuonituo Sunkpal

Doctoral Dissertations

"Coal mine rib failures are major safety and health challenge for coal mines worldwide. The need for clear procedures to evaluate mine rib behavior and to provide an efficient, reliable, and consistent rib control protocol is needed. Understanding coal rib geomechanics is essential for improving rib stability and eliminating fatality and injury trends due to rib failures. This knowledge is also vital to determine support requirements.

The rib control practices used in the 21st Century in most countries originated in roof control techniques. Understandably, applying roof control methods to coal rib does not yield desirable results. The geology of structures …

Using Similitude Theory And Discrete Element Modeling To Understand The Effects Of Digging Parameters On Excavation Performance For Rubber Tire Loaders, Atta Ur Rehman

Doctoral Dissertations

"The large sizes of mining equipment pose challenges for analysis using experiments or simulation. While scaled physical and simulation models can address this challenge, no previous work has explored how similitude theory and modeling can provide valid analysis of large equipment such as rubber tire loaders. The objective of this research was to apply similitude theory and discrete element modeling (DEM) to study the effect of different digging parameters on the penetration and the draft on the buckets of rubber tire loaders. The work sought to (1) test the hypothesis that the geometry of a rubber tire loader bucket and …

Investigating The Focusing Effect Of Charge Geometry With Computer Simulations, Witness Plates, And High-Speed Videography, Kelly Ray Williams

Doctoral Dissertations

"Scaled distance is used to calculate a safe standoff radius from the detonation of a known mass of an explosive. It has been shown that varying only the geometry of the charge significantly overdrives regions of the blast wave potentially resulting in hazardous overpressure levels at scaled distance safe radii. Pressure transducers are used to measure overpressure surrounding spherical, cylindrical, and cubic charges to determine if bridge waves were formed at the edges between flat sides as seen in published studies of cylindrical charges. In the fireball field a witness plate is used to evaluate radial energy distribution with a …

Computational Intelligent Impact Force Modeling And Monitoring In Hislo Conditions For Maximizing Surface Mining Efficiency, Safety, And Health, Danish Ali

Doctoral Dissertations

"Shovel-truck systems are the most widely employed excavation and material handling systems for surface mining operations. During this process, a high-impact shovel loading operation (HISLO) produces large forces that cause extreme whole body vibrations (WBV) that can severely affect the safety and health of haul truck operators. Previously developed solutions have failed to produce satisfactory results as the vibrations at the truck operator seat still exceed the “Extremely Uncomfortable Limits”. This study was a novel effort in developing deep learning-based solution to the HISLO problem.

This research study developed a rigorous mathematical model and a 3D virtual simulation model to …

Significance Of Reagents Addition Sequence On Iron Anionic Reverse Flotation And Their Adsorption Characteristics Using Qcm-D, Ying Hou, Ahmed Sobhy, Yue Wang

Mining Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

To explore the influence of reagents addition sequence of the pH regulator and the starch depressant on the anionic reverse flotation of iron oxide, flotation conditional experiments were performed on mixed low-intensity and high-gradient magnetic concentrates which is the flotation feed acquired from the iron processing plant. Besides, quartz crystal micro-balance with dissipative (QCMD) was conducted to detect the adsorption phenomena of the flotation reagent on iron oxide sensors at different addition orders. The outcomes showed that the flotation performance using the pH regulator prior to the depressant was the best. For example, at 1.6 kg/Mg starch dosage, the recovery …

Experimental Evaluation Of Square Ferrocement Panels Using Polypropylene Wire Mesh, N. Khurram, U. Akmal, M. Raza, A. Hameed, M. Irfan Ul Hassan

Mining Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Ferrocement panels are thin section comprised of hydraulic mortar reinforced with steel wire mesh and are susceptible to micro cracks at service conditions. The moisture and rainwater may infiltrate through these cracks and cause the reduction in capacity due to the corrosion of steel wire mesh. In the present study, a polypropylene (PP) wire mesh has been used to overcome this problem. The main objective of the study is to investigate the punching shear and bending capacity of the ferrocement panels using PP wire mesh. Experimental tests conducted on 32 simply supported square slabs panels of 450x450 mm subjected to …

Effects Of Inert Additives On Cyclotrimethylene-Trinitramine (Rdx)/Trinitrotoluene (Tnt) Detonation Parameters To Predict Detonation Synthesis Phase Production, Martin Langenderfer, William Fahrenholtz, Catherine E. Johnson

Materials Science and Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

A methodology was developed to predict pressure and temperature regimes achieved during detonation of RDX/TNT compositions with inert granular inclusions. The predicted pressures and temperatures are used as inputs for thermochemical simulations to design detonation synthesis experiments that utilize shock-induced chemical reactions to produce ceramic nanomaterials. This study computationally assessed the effects of inert spherical sand inclusions and porosity produced by inert additives on the sensitivity of the explosive composition during the shock-to-detonation transition using a limited scope approach through Lee-Tarver ignition and growth modeling. On the continuum scale, the effects of inert additives on pressure generation behind the detonation …

Explosive Compaction Of Additively Manufactured Material, Phillip R. Mulligan, Cody Lough, Douglas A. Bristow, Edward Kinzel, Catherine E. Johnson

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Selective Laser Melting (SLM) is an additive manufacturing (AM) technique that uses a laser to locally fuse material in a metal-powder bed. The process is performed in layers enabling significant geometric freedom over traditional manufacturing techniques. During the deposition process, the metal is locally melted and rapidly self-quenched, leading to rapid solidification with well-defined melt-pool boundaries. Analogies are often drawn to the microstructure created in welding, albeit extending to the entire part. The SLM process parameters are optimized to produce near full density metal parts. The process parameters can also be adjusted to produce local regions that are of unmelted …

Modeling The Load Of Sars-Cov-2 Virus In Human Expelled Particles During Coughing And Speaking, Yang Wang, Guang Xu, Yue-Wern Huang

Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Particle size is an essential factor when considering the fate and transport of virus-containing droplets expelled by human, because it determines the deposition pattern in the human respiratory system and the evolution of droplets by evaporation and gravitational settling. However, the evolution of virus-containing droplets and the size-dependent viral load have not been studied in detail. The lack of this information leads to uncertainties in understanding the airborne transmission of respiratory diseases, such as the COVID-19. In this study, through a set of differential equations describing the evolution of respiratory droplets and by using the SARS-CoV-2 virus as an example, …

Framing Energy And Minerals For Future Pathways, Michelle Michot Foss, Michael S. Moats, Kwame Awuah-Offei

Materials Science and Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

We present a challenge for Group of Twenty (G20) discussions that entails (1) greater awareness of the role of non-fuel minerals in the global economy overall, but specifically in the energy sector; and (2) the introduction and acceleration of alternative energy sources and technologies. We focus on chemical battery energy storage, given its prominence in all views and outlooks of energy futures, especially for mobility. We present recommendations for G20 discussions and actions on battery materials, and the crucial underlying supply chains for mineral commodities.

Effect Of Calcination Time On The Physicochemical Properties And Photocatalytic Performance Of Carbon And Nitrogen Co-Doped Tio2 Nanoparticles, Emile Salomon Massima Mouele, Mihaela Dinu, Franscious Cummings, Ojo O. Fatoba, Myo Tay Zar Myint, Htet Htet Kyaw, Anca C. Parau, Alina Vladescu, M. Grazia Francesconi, Sara Pescetelli, Aldo Di Carlo, Antonio Agresti, Mohammed Al-Abri, Sergey Dobretsov, Mariana Braic, Leslie F. Petrik

Mining Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

The application of highly active nano catalysts in advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) improves the production of non-selective hydroxyl radicals and co-oxidants for complete remediation of polluted water. This study focused on the synthesis and characterization of a highly active visible light C–N-co-doped TiO2 nano catalyst that we prepared via the sol-gel method and pyrolyzed at 350 °C for 105 min in an inert atmosphere to prevent combustion of carbon moieties. Then we prolonged the pyrolysis holding time to 120 and 135 min and studied the effect of these changes on the crystal structure, particle size and morphology, electronic properties and …

A Mechanism Of Electric Charge Losses In Adiabatically Compressed Ferroelectrics, Sergey I. Shkuratov, Jason Baird, Vladimir G. Antipov, Jay B. Chase

Mining Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

A ferroelectric depolarized by high strain-rates induced by the passage of adiabatic shock waves releases a high-density electric charge, initiating the generation of high voltage and megawatt power levels. Additionally, this depolarization process alters physical and mechanical properties that might cause energy and electric charge losses in the ferroelectric materials. We report, herein, the results of an experimental study of electric charge losses in Pb0.99(Zr0.95Ti0.05)0.98Nb0.02O3 and Pb0.99(Zr0.52Ti0.48)0.99Nb0.01O3 ferroelectrics subjected to shock compression. We found that electric charge losses mainly occur in the compressed zone of ferroelectric elements, i.e., shock compression is an essential part of the charge loss mechanism. Based …

Prediction Of Flotation Efficiency Of Metal Sulfides Using An Original Hybrid Machine Learning Model, Rachel Cook, Keitumetse Cathrine Monyake, Muhammad Badar Hayat, Aditya Kumar, Lana Alagha

Materials Science and Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Froth flotation process is extensively used for selective separation of base metal sulfides from uneconomic mineral resources. Reliable prediction of process outcomes (metal recovery and grade) is vital to ensure peak performance. This work employs an innovative hybrid machine learning (ML) model—constructed by combining the random forest model and the firefly algorithm—to predict froth flotation efficiency of galena and chalcopyrite in relation to various experimental process parameters. The hybrid model's prediction performance was rigorously evaluated and compared against four different standalone ML models. The outcomes of this study illustrate that the hybrid ML model has the prediction ability to process …

Spectroscopic Measurements Of Dissolved O3, H2o2 And Oh Radicals In Double Cylindrical Dielectric Barrier Discharge Technology: Treatment Of Methylene Blue Dye Simulated Wastewater, Emile Salomon Massima Mouele, Jimoh O. Tijani, Milua Masikini, Ojo O. Fatoba, Chuks P. Eze, Chionydua T. Onwordi, Myo Tay Zar Myint, Htet Htet Kyaw, Jamal Al-Sabahi, Mohammed Al-Abri, Sergey Dobretsov, Katri Laatikainen, Leslie F. Petrik

Mining Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Advanced oxidation technologies (AOTs) focusing on nonthermal plasma induced by dielectric barrier discharge are adequate sources of diverse reactive oxygen species (ROS) beneficial for water and wastewater treatment. In this study, indigo, peroxytitanyl sulphate and terephthalic acid methods were used to approximate the concentrations of O₃, H₂O₂ and OH produced in a double cylindrical dielectric barrier discharge (DCDBD) plasma configuration. The effect of pH and scavengers as well as the amount of chemical probes on the generation of oxidants was investigated. The efficiency of the DCDBD reactor was further evaluated using methylene blue (MB) as …

On The Investigation Of Hot Tearing Behavior Of Continuous Cast Steel, Yanru Lu

Masters Theses

”Hot tearing has long been recognized as a major problem that plagues the development of the continuous casting process and results in low-quality products. Understanding of the mechanisms and the required conditions for the hot tearing formation is important for industries but has not been well-established yet. Thus, this research focuses on the hot tearing issue observed in continuous cast steel, by providing a summary of the current research progress and then introducing a new laboratory method to determine the thermo-mechanical properties relevant to hot tearing of different steel grades under different solidification conditions. In this method, an apparatus was …

Role Of Ergonomics In The Selection Of Stemming Plugs For Surface Mining Operations, Atta Ur Rehman, Muhammad Zaka Emad, Muhammad Usman Khan

Mining Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Stemming plugs are one of the widely used accessories in surface mining operations. Stemming plugs assist conventional stemming material in gas retention and help in better fragmentation and explosive utilization. Effective use of the stemming plugs results in economic benefits and enhance the efficacy of the project. Economic and productive viability of stemming plugs have been conducted in depth by different researchers. Addition of stemming plugs to a new system requires ergonomic challenges for operators conducting drilling and blasting operation. Induction of a newer product in already established system is subject to overall positive feedback. This work investigates ergonomics of …

Environmental Impact Of The Mechanical Coal Processing Plant, Witold Bialy, Wes Grebski, Greg Galecki, Wojciech Kaniak

Mining Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

The enrichment of hard coal is one of the stages of mineral resources management. It is aimed at adapting its quality parameters to different recipients' requirements, considered as a stage of mineral resources management. This process is treated as a stage of clean coal technologies or as a process of improving the economics of mining plants, which takes place in the Mechanical Coal Processing Plant (ZMPW). Adaptation of the quality of commercial coal products to the needs of specific recipients consists of removing useless components of the excavated material. In this publication, factors having a negative impact on the environment …

Guest Editorial-Special Issue On Ground Control In Mining In 2019, Michael M. Murphy, Ted Klemetti, Heather Lawson, Brijes Mishra, Kyle A. Perry

Mining Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

No abstract provided.

An Experimental Research On Cationic Reverse Flotation Of Anshan-Type Iron Ores, Zhonghang Chen, Dianbing Zhu, Shujuan Dai, Ahmed Sobhy

Mining Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

The mineral processing technology of Anshan-type iron ores has been developed in a rapid speed in recent years, and the combined flowsheet at the core of anionic reverse flotation has become a mainstream in the beneficiation of Anshan-type iron ores in China. With the successful application of this combined flowsheet, some obvious problems are also emerging. Such as high requirement of pulp temperature, complex reagent system, high cost of reagent consumption and so on. In view of this, we have carried out an experimental study on the separation of Anshan type iron ore by cationic reverse flotation. A new collector …

Modeling And Optimization Of Froth Flotation Of Low-Grade Phosphate Ores: Experiments And Machine Learning, Ashraf Alsafasfeh

Doctoral Dissertations

”In this research work, bench-scale and micro-scale flotation tests were conducted to separate “minerals from silicate minerals using direct and reverse flotation approaches, respectively. Experiments were conducted at different flotation conditions including reagents’ type, reagents’ dosages, pulp’s pH, and flotation time.

In the direct flotation process, two polymers were selected to promote the depression of silicates: hybrid polyacrylamide-based polymers (Hy-PAM) and chitosan. Results indicated that the highest recovery of P₂O₅ (86.82%) was obtained when the Hy-PAM polymer was used compared with 66.7% and 40% when chitosan and commercial inorganic depressant were used, respectively. The experimental datasets obtained …

Application Of Geophysics And Remote Sensing Techniques For Economic Mineral Exploitation In Libya, Awad Abdussalam Henish Lemnifi

Doctoral Dissertations

“This study investigates crustal thickness and properties within the north central Africa region. Results obtained from 15 seismic stations belonging to the Libyan Center for Remote Sensing and Space Science are reported, in addition to 3 seismic stations publically available, using receiver functions, the first P-to-S receiver function investigation of the 410 km and 660 km depth discontinuities bounding the mantle transition zone (MTZ), and P wave tomography methods. The results from the first method show crustal thicknesses ranging from 24 km to 36 km (with uncertainties ranging between ±0.10 km and ±0.90 km). More specifically, crustal thickness ranges from …

Shock Wave Propagation Behavior At Corners And Crosscuts In Five Small-Scale Tunnel Scenarios, David Pierre Doucet

Masters Theses

"Shock wave propagation in tunnels and other enclosed environments is substantially more complicated than in an open-air or even a surface detonation. There is still much to learn about how shock wave properties change as a wave propagates in an enclosed space, such as a mine tunnel, inside of a building, or city street. The geometry of the enclosure will have a large role in the propagation of the shock wave. This means that many different tunnel designs must be studied. This work tested five different designs using a modular small-scale model. The scenarios tested were Straight-line, Single Turn, Around …

Additive Manufacturing Of Linear Shaped Charges To Address Run Up And Run Down Phenomena, Jason Ho

Masters Theses

”A shaped charge is an explosive device used to focus detonation energy in a desired direction. Additive Manufacturing (AM) can allow greater design freedom and geometric complexity for the liner portion of the shaped charge.

In this work, the following hypotheses were tested: 1) Adjusting the initial apex angle of a linear shaped charge liner reduces the amount of run up that occurs, and 2) implementing a backstop at the end of a linear shaped charge liner reduces the amount of run down that occurs.

Linear shaped charge liners with a continuously changing apex angle were created with additive manufacturing. …