Abstract
The drilling operation in the roof bolting process, especially in hard rock, generates excessive respirable coal and quartz dusts, which could expose the roof bolting operator to continued health risks. Previous research has shown that the amount of respirable dust produced is dependent on the main drilling parameters, specifically the drilling rotational and penetration rate. In this paper, a roof bolter drilling control process was proposed to reduce the generation of respirable dust. Based on the analysis of laboratory drilling test results, a rational drilling control process (adjusting rotational and penetration rates) to achieve the optimal drilling parameter for different rock types was proposed. In this process, the ratio between specific energy and rock uniaxial compressive strength was used as the index to determine the optimal operation point. The recommended drilling operation range for the rock type used in the experiment was provided, and the reduction in respirable dust generation was demonstrated. By following this control process, the drilling efficiency can be monitored in real time, so the system can stay in a relatively high-energy efficiency with less respirable dust production from the drilling source. This algorithm is targeted to be incorporated into the current roof bolter drilling control system for drilling automation so that a safe and productive drilling operation can be conducted in a healthy working environment.
Highlights
Roof bolting has been the primary means to improve mine safety in the aspect of preventing different types of roof falls in underground mines in recent decades (Mark 2002)
A roof bolter drilling control process was proposed to reduce the generation of respirable dust
This algorithm is targeted to be incorporated into the current roof bolter drilling control system for drilling automation so that a safe and productive drilling operation can be conducted in a healthy working environment
Summary
Roof bolting has been the primary means to improve mine safety in the aspect of preventing different types of roof falls in underground mines in recent decades (Mark 2002). Based on the published research, underground roof bolting operators exhibit a continued risk for overexposure to airborne levels of respirable coal and crystalline silica dust (size \ 10 lm) from the roof drilling operation (Goodman and Organiscak 2002). The United States Federal Coal Mine Health and Safety Act of 1969 first included specific procedures for the development of improved mandatory health and safety standards for mining and regulated miners’ exposure to coal mine dust by establishing the 2.0 mg/m3 respirable dust limit. The generated respirable and inhalable (size \ 100 lm) dust amount for concrete drilling tests were analyzed, and the process to determine the optimal drilling bite depth range for the purpose of respirable dust control was demonstrated
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