Hard Rock Mining Using Disk Tools Supported by High-Pressure Water Jets in the Aspect of Reducing Energy Consumption

Krzysztof Kotwica
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Krzysztof Kotwica: Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and Robotics, AGH University of Science and Technology, Mickiewicza Ave. 30, 30-059 Kraków, Poland

Energies, 2021, vol. 14, issue 9, 1-21

Abstract: The mining of hard rocks by mechanical methods, using cutting tools, is associated with problems such as sparking, dust generation and increased wear. The application of disk tools allows limiting these problems but requires constructing a machine with large dimensions and weight. To limit these problems, high-pressure water jets can be applied. The article presents the effects of using this solution in the field and stand tests when mining rocks with a symmetrical disk. The results of the bench tests of high-pressure water jets to support the process of mining with symmetrical disks, carried out at the AGH University of Science and Technology, performed on a unique test stand, which enabled the samples to be mined in a circular trajectory in conditions similar to real ones, are presented. With the use of a dimensional analysis, a theoretical-empirical model was developed to estimate the impact of slots cut by water jets on the tool load and the amount of output as a function of slots spacing and depth. Considering the similarity criteria for the mined rock sample (mechanical properties), it is possible, with the use of this model, to estimate the most advantageous working parameters while hydromechanical mining uses disks on a larger cutting radius.

Keywords: disk tool; hard rock mining; high-pressure water jet assistance; energy consumption (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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