In late April, China’s first foam dust removal equipment for bolter miner succeeded in test run in the coal lane of the Liuta Mine. The equipment was jointly developed by the high-end equipment R&D center of Shendong Coal and Shenyang Saiou Mining Equipment Co., Ltd. It uses viscous foams sprayed from the cutting head to absorb dust so as to reduce dust loading on the work face and improve the working environment.
The technology for the equipment is different from that for traditional dust removal fans. A certain amount of the special foam dust removal liquid is first added into a foam-generating water tank. Pressure wind is then introduced into a special foam-generating device and the foam are then sprayed on dust sources. In the meantime, a rear feeding device draws foam from the water tank and the foam are sprayed from the bolter miner. The use of the equipment will free workers from moving the fans around and hanging the air-ducts. It can help improve work efficiency, lower monthly power consumption and reduce staff from the post of fan maintenance.
Currently, the technological project is being modified for rock roadway development, with an aim to reduce the amount of respirable dust to around 20 percent. The improvement of the working environment will substantially increase the visibility of shuttle cars and prevent accidents from happening.
