scholarly journals A Mobile Robot-Based System for Automatic Inspection of Belt Conveyors in Mining Industry

Energies ◽  
2022 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
pp. 327
Author(s):  
Jarosław Szrek ◽  
Janusz Jakubiak ◽  
Radoslaw Zimroz
Keyword(s):  
Underground Mining ◽  
Mining Industry ◽  
General Concept ◽  
Underground Mines ◽  
Automatic Inspection ◽  
Large Area ◽  
Inspection Robot ◽  
Spatially Distributed ◽  
First Results ◽  
Belt Conveyors

Mechanical systems (as belt conveyors) used in the mining industry, especially in deep underground mines, must be supervised on a regular basis. Unfortunately, they require high power and are spatially distributed over a large area. Till now, some elements of the conveyor (drive units) have been monitored 24 h/day using SCADA systems. The rest of the conveyor is inspected by maintenance staff. To minimize the presence of humans in harsh environments, we propose a mobile inspection platform based on autonomous UGV. It is equipped with various sensors, and in practice it is capable of collecting almost the same information as maintenance inspectors (RGB image, sound, gas sensor, etc.). Till now such experiments have been performed in the lab or in the mine, but the robot was controlled by the operator. In such a scenario the robot is able to record data, process them and detect, for example, an overheated idler. In this paper we will introduce the general concept of an automatic robot-based inspection for underground mining applications. A framework of how to deploy the inspection robot for automatic inspection (3D model of the tunnel, path planing, etc.) are defined and some first results from automatic inspection tested in lab conditions are presented. Differences between the planned and actual path are evaluated. We also point out some challenges for further research.

scholarly journals An Inspection Robot for Belt Conveyor Maintenance in Underground Mine—Infrared Thermography for Overheated Idlers Detection

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (14) ◽  
pp. 4984 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jarosław Szrek ◽  
Jacek Wodecki ◽  
Ryszard Błażej ◽  
Radoslaw Zimroz
Keyword(s):  
Infrared Thermography ◽  
Hot Spots ◽  
Underground Mining ◽  
Mechanical Systems ◽  
Conveyor System ◽  
Safe Place ◽  
Inspection Robot ◽  
Spatially Distributed ◽  
Underground Infrastructure ◽  
Belt Conveyors

It is well known that mechanical systems require supervision and maintenance procedures. There are a lot of condition monitoring techniques that are commonly used, and in the era of IoT and predictive maintenance one may find plenty of solutions for various applications. Unfortunately in the case of belt conveyors used in underground mining a list of possible solutions shrinks quickly. The reason is that they are specific mechanical systems—the typical conveyor is located in the mining tunnel and its length may vary between 100 and 1000 m. According to mining regulations, visual inspection of the conveyor route should be done before it will start the operation. On the other hand, since environmental conditions in mining tunnels are extremely harsh and the risk of accidents is high, there is a tendency to minimize human presence in the tunnels. In this paper, we propose a prototype of an inspection robot based on a UGV platform that could support maintenance staff during the inspection. At present, the robot is controlled by an operator using radio however, we plan to make it autonomous. Moreover, its support could be significant—the robot can “see” elements of the conveyor route (RGB camera) and can identify hot spots using infrared thermography. Moreover, the detected hot spots could be localized and its position can be stored together with both types of images. In parallel, it is possible to preview images in a real-time and stored data allow analysing state of conveyor system after the inspection mission. It is also important that due to radio control systems, an operator can stay in a safe place. Such a robot can be classified as a mobile monitoring system for spatially distributed underground infrastructure.

scholarly journals Fire Risk Assessment and Computer Simulation of Fire Scenario in Underground Mines

2015 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 54 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vancho Adjiski ◽  
Zoran Despodov ◽  
Dejan Mirakovski ◽  
Stojance Mijalkovski
Keyword(s):  
Computer Simulation ◽  
Working Conditions ◽  
Underground Mining ◽  
Mining Industry ◽  
Employee Training ◽  
Fire Risk ◽  
Underground Mines ◽  
Fire Occurrence ◽  
Systematic Analysis ◽  
Loss Of Life

Unsafe working conditions in underground mines have led to a number of accidents, loss of life, damage to property, interruption of production, etc. Safety is essential in mining industry, which in recent years mainly focuses on injury prevention in the workplace through a variety of procedures and employee training. The primary goal of this paper is to present a methodology with systematic analysis to determine the most risky places for fire occurrence in underground mines and using a computer simulation to determine the movement of smoke and fire gases trough underground mining facilities from which depends the safe evacuation of all employees.

scholarly journals Unification of Equipment for Transporting People, Coal and Materials Produced by Jastrzębskie Zakłady Remontowe Sp. z o. o. and Used in the Mines of the JSW Capital Group

2020 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 303-314
Author(s):  
Artur Dyczko ◽  
Rafał Rychter ◽  
Adam Bosowski ◽  
Jarosław Konsek
Keyword(s):  
Underground Mining ◽  
Coal Mines ◽  
Innovative Solutions ◽  
First Results ◽  
Potential Benefits ◽  
Belt Conveyors ◽  
Near Future

AbstractThe publication presents the assumptions of the unification process of machines and equipment produced by Jastrzębskie Zakłady Remontowe Sp. z o. o. and operating at the coal mines of the JSW Capital Group. It outlines a solution adopted by JZR Sp. z o. o. addressing this issue. The authors identify the potential benefits of the process to the entire Jastrzębska Spółka Węglowa Capital Group, but they also mention the risks that may arise during its implementation. The publication also presents the first results of the unification, observed on the basis of the unified equipment and machinery of the coal clearance system for transporting people, coal and materials, which has already been put into operation in underground mining excavations. It also includes a chapter devoted to the influence of the unification on the development of “technical thought,” i.e. on the innovativeness of the equipment for transporting people, coal and materials newly produced by Jastrzębskie Zakłady Remontowe Sp. z o. o. which are to be implemented in the near future. New, innovative solutions are presented, which were introduced both in the unified transport devices such as chain and belt conveyors and in devices cooperating with them, i.e. lump breakers, pushing devices and other accessory equipment for the conveyors.

The Nature of Mining-Induced Horizontal Displacement of Surface on the Example of Several Coal Mines

2014 ◽  
Vol 59 (4) ◽  
pp. 971-986 ◽  
Author(s):  
Krzysztof Tajduś
Keyword(s):  
Underground Mining ◽  
Mining Industry ◽  
Horizontal Displacement ◽  
Surface Slope ◽  
Proportionality Coefficient ◽  
Model Studies ◽  
Displacement Vectors ◽  
Mining Conditions ◽  
Design Projects ◽  
Academy Of Sciences

Abstract The paper presents the analysis of the phenomenon of horizontal displacement of surface induced by underground mining exploitation. In the initial part, the basic theories describing horizontal displacement are discussed, followed by three illustrative examples of underground exploitation in varied mining conditions. It is argued that center of gravity (COG) method presented in the paper, hypothesis of Awierszyn and model studies carried out in Strata Mechanics Research Institute of the Polish Academy of Sciences indicate the proportionality between vectors of horizontal displacement and the vector of surface slope. The differences practically relate to the value of proportionality coefficient B, whose estimated values in currently realized design projects for mining industry range between 0.23r to 0.42r for deep exploitations, whereas in the present article the values of 0.33r and 0.47r were obtained for two instances of shallow exploitation. Furthermore, observations on changes of horizontal displacement vectors with face advancement indicated the possibility of existence of COG zones above the mined-out field, which proved the conclusions of hitherto carried out research studies (Tajduś 2013).

scholarly journals Geological CO2 quantified by high-temporal resolution stable isotope monitoring in a salt mine

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexander H. Frank ◽  
Robert van Geldern ◽  
Anssi Myrttinen ◽  
Martin Zimmer ◽  
Johannes A. C. Barth ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Temporal Resolution ◽  
Underground Mining ◽  
Stable Carbon Isotope ◽  
Underground Mines ◽  
Background Concentration ◽  
High Temporal Resolution ◽  
Salt Mine ◽  
Gas Migration ◽  
Mining Operations ◽  
Anthropogenic Contributions

AbstractThe relevance of CO2 emissions from geological sources to the atmospheric carbon budget is becoming increasingly recognized. Although geogenic gas migration along faults and in volcanic zones is generally well studied, short-term dynamics of diffusive geogenic CO2 emissions are mostly unknown. While geogenic CO2 is considered a challenging threat for underground mining operations, mines provide an extraordinary opportunity to observe geogenic degassing and dynamics close to its source. Stable carbon isotope monitoring of CO2 allows partitioning geogenic from anthropogenic contributions. High temporal-resolution enables the recognition of temporal and interdependent dynamics, easily missed by discrete sampling. Here, data is presented from an active underground salt mine in central Germany, collected on-site utilizing a field-deployed laser isotope spectrometer. Throughout the 34-day measurement period, total CO2 concentrations varied between 805 ppmV (5th percentile) and 1370 ppmV (95th percentile). With a 400-ppm atmospheric background concentration, an isotope mixing model allows the separation of geogenic (16–27%) from highly dynamic anthropogenic combustion-related contributions (21–54%). The geogenic fraction is inversely correlated to established CO2 concentrations that were driven by anthropogenic CO2 emissions within the mine. The described approach is applicable to other environments, including different types of underground mines, natural caves, and soils.

scholarly journals The Function Design for the Communication-Based Train Control (CBTC) System: How to Solve the Problems in the Underground Mine Rail Transportation?

2021 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 31
Author(s):  
Haoxuan Yu ◽  
Shuai Li
Keyword(s):  
Mining Industry ◽  
Underground Mine ◽  
Underground Mines ◽  
Rail Transportation ◽  
Monitoring And Control ◽  
Transportation Equipment ◽  
Train Control ◽  
Function Design ◽  
The Future ◽  
Underground Transportation

With the continuous development of the mining industry, the world’s major mines have gradually entered the intelligent stage. In intelligent underground mines, the operation roads of the underground transportation equipment are very complicated, and the monitoring and control of the underground traffic have become the problems to be solved in the intelligent underground mines. Therefore, on the basis of solving the practical problems of underground mines, the concept paper discusses the possibility of the communication-based train control (CBTC) system being applied to underground mines through the summary and induction of the related literature. As mining engineers, we have proposed the function design for the CBTC system to solve the problems in underground mine rail transportation, but we still need to continue to work hard for the future development of the underground mines. The concept paper serves as a guide to the Tossing out a brick to get a jade gem, and it has implications for the development and the future of underground mine transportation.

scholarly journals Coal Flowability Control on Preventing Spillage on Conveyor Belt Through Modeling and Simulation for Improving its Performance

2021 ◽  
Vol 90 (1) ◽  
pp. 130-145
Author(s):  
Sabri Bahrun ◽  
Mohd Shahrizan Yusoff ◽  
Mohamad Sazali Said ◽  
Azmi Hassan
Keyword(s):  
Bulk Material ◽  
Extraction Process ◽  
Conveyor Belt ◽  
Underground Mines ◽  
Mining Site ◽  
Dem Simulation ◽  
Conveyor System ◽  
Average Production ◽  
And Performance ◽  
Belt Conveyors

Belt conveyors are generally used in mining plant areas, both surface and underground mines. The belt conveyor is mainly applied to transport the extracted bulk material from the mining site to delivery. The effectiveness of the extraction process depends on the reliability and durability of the conveyor belt system. In addition, conveyor performance is very important specially to control material flowability to prevent spills or other operational disturbances to optimize production throughput. However, the transfer chute and settling zone can cause some problems during the transfer process, such as material spills. This problem can reduce the function and performance of the conveyor belt. This paper discusses a design model to reduce the problem of spillage in the settling zone. The model was developed by compiling the previous defecting data from the durability of the conveyor system, then analyzed using Discrete Element Method (DEM) software and compared with bulk characteristics. The initial performance of certain conveyors is only capable of serving with an average production of 76% of the designed capacity while energy is consumed at full load. By applying the DEM simulation result, the blade gate can reduce the peak angle break in the depositional zone before exiting. After the analysis is completed using DEM, the conveyor increases the average production to 95% of the designed capacity. In conclusion, controlling the maximum belt load without spillage will reduce interruption on conveyor belt operation and maintenance costs therefore increase plant reliability and availability.

scholarly journals IOT Based Coal Mine Safety Monitoring and Alerting System

2021 ◽  
pp. 404-410
Author(s):  
Prof. A. H. Ansari ◽  
Karishma Shaikh ◽  
Pooja Kadu ◽  
Nikam Rishikesh
Keyword(s):  
Mining Industry ◽  
Safety Monitoring ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Underground Mines ◽  
Mine Safety ◽  
Fundamental Aspect ◽  
Reliable Communication ◽  
Gas Leakage ◽  
Coal Mine Safety ◽  
Alerting System

Safety is the most vital part of any type of industry. In the mining industry safety and security is a fundamental aspect of all. To avoid any types of accidents mining industry follows some basic precautions. Still accidents take place in underground mines due to rise in temperature, increased water level, and methane gas leakage. Here we provide safety to worker. When worker in danger he can press panic switch inform security. To enhance safety in underground mines, a reliable communication system must be established between workers in underground mines and fixed ground mine system. The communication network must not be interrupted at any moment and at any condition. A cost effective zigbee based wireless mine supervising system with early-warning intelligence is proposed in this project. Worker status can be monitor over IOT.

Wireless Sensor Network for Underground Mining Services Applications

2017 ◽  
pp. 504-530 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pankaj Kumar Mishra ◽  
Subhash Kumar
Keyword(s):  
Wireless Sensor Network ◽  
Sensor Network ◽  
Underground Mining ◽  
Underground Mines ◽  
Wireless Sensor ◽  
Maintenance Cost ◽  
Processing Unit ◽  
Central Processing ◽  
Underground Coal Mines ◽  
Logical Topology

Underground mines include a number of challenges due to their hostile milieu. Therefore, geotechnical and environmental monitoring mainly in underground coal mines have always been a critical task to ensure safe working conditions. If the monitoring device is cable based, then it requires an huge amount of cable deployment which can pose not only the high maintenance cost but difficulty in laying out the cable throughout the underground galleries. on the other hand, if it is direct wireless communication between sensing devices and the central processing unit, it is also not so feasible due to the crisscross, uneven and incline path. Therefore, Wireless Sensor Networks grab an opportunity to be deployed in such a hostile environment. Keeping in view, in the present chapter, attempts have been made to discuss the different aspects of wireless sensor network for underground coal mining services applications to overcome the various threats. Further, the best suited logical topology has been identified for the same.

scholarly journals Anthropogenic and volcanic point source SO<sub>2</sub> emissions derived from TROPOMI onboard Sentinel 5 Precursor: first results

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vitali Fioletov ◽  
Chris A. McLinden ◽  
Debora Griffin ◽  
Nicolas Theys ◽  
Diego G. Loyola ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Absolute Magnitude ◽  
Point Sources ◽  
Ozone Monitoring Instrument ◽  
So2 Emissions ◽  
Large Area ◽  
Vertical Column ◽  
Very High Spatial Resolution ◽  
First Results ◽  
Vertical Column Density ◽  
Very High

Abstract. The paper introduces the first TROPOMI-based sulfur dioxide (SO2) emissions estimates for point sources. A total of about 500 continuously emitting point sources releasing from about 10 kT y−1 to more than 2000 kT y−1 of SO2 per year, previously identified from Ozone Monitoring Instrument (OMI) observations, were analysed using TROPOMI measurements for one full year, from April 2018 to March 2019. The annual emissions from these sources were estimated and compared to similar estimates from OMI and Ozone Mapping Profiling Suite (OMPS) measurements. Note that emissions from many of these 500 sources declined significantly since 2005 making their quantification more challenging. We were able to identify 278 sources where annual emissions are significant and can be reliably estimated from TROPOMI. The standard deviations of TROPOMI vertical column density data, about 1 Dobson Unit (DU, where 1 DU = 2.69 × 1016 molecules/cm2) over tropics and 1.5 DU over high latitudes, are larger than those of OMI (0.6–1 DU) and OMPS (0.3–0.4 DU). Due to its very high spatial resolution, TROPOMI produces 12–20 times more observations over a certain area than OMI and 96 times more than OMPS. Despite higher uncertainties of individual TROPOMI observations, TROPOMI data averaged over a large area have roughly two-three times lower uncertainties compared to OMI and OMPS data. Similarly, TROPOMI annual emissions can be estimated with uncertainties that are 1.5–2 times lower than the uncertainties of annual emissions estimates from OMI. While there are area biases in TROPOMI data over some regions that have to be removed for emission calculations, the absolute magnitude of these are modest, typically within ±0.25 DU, it can be comparable to SO2 values over large sources.

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