Research on an in-situ synchronous CO elimination method in blasting operations and engineering experimental application based on nano-CO catalysts

Abstract

The rapid and efficient elimination of CO by-products in mining and tunneling blasting operations poses a significant challenge. In this study, an in-situ synchronous elimination method (ISSE) for CO was proposed based on catalytic oxidation principles by deploying nano-scale catalysts in boreholes. Initially, Co3O4 catalyst was prepared and characterized. Subsequently, the catalyst was processed into a packing bag for in-situ CO elimination within boreholes. Field experiments were conducted at the Lujiatuo coal mine to verify the ISSE technology, and the effects of packaging materials, charging configuration, catalyst concentration, and length-to-diameter ratio of the packing bag on CO elimination efficiency were investigated. The experimental results revealed that when utilizing a nylon water cannon mud bag and charging 35 g of catalyst at the orifice, the peak CO concentration decreased from 735 ppm to 243 ppm, achieving an elimination efficiency of 66.9 % and reducing CO exceedance time by 28.5 %. These findings indicate that the ISSE technology surpasses existing techniques in terms of CO eliminating during mining and tunneling operations rapidly and effectively, that are expected to find widespread application in blasting production.