Abstract
A 1/10-scaIe model of a low-coal entry containing a Wilcox auger-type continuous mining machine was used to quantitatively investigate the effect of several ventilation parameters on dust levels near the face. Methane was used as a tracer gas to simulate respirable dust. Simulated dust levels were measured at typical positions of the machine operator and left and right jacksetters. Dust levels were found to be significantly reduced in several ways—for example, 80 to 99% by moving the brattice from 30 to 10 ft from the face, 50% by doubling the main ventilation flow rate, and 40 to greater than 90% by drawing one-third of the ventilation air from the face area near the augers by means of a fan and duct system integral to the mining machine. The modeling approach was shown to be very useful for screening dust control techniques involving ventilation.