Field Demonstration of a Joy Wet-Head Miner in Illinois
Expanding coal markets have placed many Illinois coal mines in a position to benefit if they can produce more coal with existing facilities and equipment. However, expanding production while maintaining compliance with dust exposure standards is a difficult challenge. The ICCI has been funding a project to investigate the effectiveness of Wet Head Miner (WHM) technology for reducing and controlling dust at the face.
To date, the study has shown that bit usage and methane concentrations are significantly reduced by wet head sprays. However, dust reduction appears to be more a function of mining height, boom spray orientation and water usage. These parameters are being further investigated in parallel with ongoing work by the PI to develop continuous miner spray systems for more effective control of dust at the face.
