Integrated processes for fine coal treatment. This project is concerned with new processes for the treatment of fine coal which forms an export market in excess of A$2 billion a year. The aim is to improve the separation of fine coal from silt and clay, and especially the recovery of larger particles in the flotation process. Further aims are to increase the ease of filtration and dewatering of fine coal, and to reduce the dust that is generated when fine coal is handled during transportation on ....Integrated processes for fine coal treatment. This project is concerned with new processes for the treatment of fine coal which forms an export market in excess of A$2 billion a year. The aim is to improve the separation of fine coal from silt and clay, and especially the recovery of larger particles in the flotation process. Further aims are to increase the ease of filtration and dewatering of fine coal, and to reduce the dust that is generated when fine coal is handled during transportation on land and sea. A laboratory-scale process will be developed and tested at a larger scale. The new knowledge that is gained will be essential for the successful introduction of the new technology into the Australian coal industry.Read moreRead less
An investigation into the relationships between geology, geometry and wind blast magnitude & intensity in underground coal mining. In some underground coal mines where the roof comprises massive rock, the roof strata do not cave regularly as extraction progresses but hang up, leading to extensive areas of unsupported roof. These areas can suddenly collapse, compressing the air beneath and forcing it out of the void through surrounding openings giving rise to a potentially hazardous phenomenon kn ....An investigation into the relationships between geology, geometry and wind blast magnitude & intensity in underground coal mining. In some underground coal mines where the roof comprises massive rock, the roof strata do not cave regularly as extraction progresses but hang up, leading to extensive areas of unsupported roof. These areas can suddenly collapse, compressing the air beneath and forcing it out of the void through surrounding openings giving rise to a potentially hazardous phenomenon known as wind blast. The aim is to develop a fundamental understanding of the phenomenon and thus provide a basis on which to develop strategies to mitigate the hazard. Outcomes are expected to be improved levels of mining safety, technical viability and economics.Read moreRead less
Applicability of the Longwall Top Coal Caving in Australian Underground Coal Mines. The proposed project aims to develop an improved understanding of the geotechnical caving characteristics of the Longwall Top Coal Caving method and it's applicability in Australian underground coal mines. The practical outcomes include significant economical benefits associated with extracting thick seams, maximising production and recovery, while improving safety standards. The advantages and constraints of the ....Applicability of the Longwall Top Coal Caving in Australian Underground Coal Mines. The proposed project aims to develop an improved understanding of the geotechnical caving characteristics of the Longwall Top Coal Caving method and it's applicability in Australian underground coal mines. The practical outcomes include significant economical benefits associated with extracting thick seams, maximising production and recovery, while improving safety standards. The advantages and constraints of the mining method will be examined rigorously relative to the Australian geological and stress environment and safety requirement. The parameters influencing the applicability of the method as well as the support design criteria and performance will be researched using comparative, analytical and numerical modelling methods.Read moreRead less
Novel Cutting Picks for Mining Industry and an Australian Standard. This research will enable the development of highly efficient and robust mining picks and establish the methodology and techniques for setting up an Australian standard for mining picks which does not exist at present but is imperatively needed by the mining industry. The novel technology will provide effective solutions to improving mine environment and safety, and reducing nation's power consumption, green house gas emission, ....Novel Cutting Picks for Mining Industry and an Australian Standard. This research will enable the development of highly efficient and robust mining picks and establish the methodology and techniques for setting up an Australian standard for mining picks which does not exist at present but is imperatively needed by the mining industry. The novel technology will provide effective solutions to improving mine environment and safety, and reducing nation's power consumption, green house gas emission, and environmental pollution. These will in turn reduce the probability of black lung which has been the biggest killer of underground workers in mines.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE130100457
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$360,945.00
Summary
Dynamic fracturing in shale rock through coupled continuum-discontinuum modelling. The research includes modelling the grain level fracturing of shale rock under dynamic loads. The outputs will have a direct impact on the development and optimisation of rock drilling and rock cutting technologies and will improve the operational efficiencies in which rock excavations are conducted.
Microbiologically Induced Stress Corrosion Cracking in Underground Mines. Premature brittle failure of rock & cable bolts due to stress corrosion cracking can cause fatalities and serious damage, and has been reported in several mining operations across Australia and world-wide. The evidence suggests that microbial activity is a contributing factor. The project aims to implement experimental methodologies to determine the specific conditions responsible for bolt failure and develop novel prevent ....Microbiologically Induced Stress Corrosion Cracking in Underground Mines. Premature brittle failure of rock & cable bolts due to stress corrosion cracking can cause fatalities and serious damage, and has been reported in several mining operations across Australia and world-wide. The evidence suggests that microbial activity is a contributing factor. The project aims to implement experimental methodologies to determine the specific conditions responsible for bolt failure and develop novel prevention techniques applicable in underground mines. The benefits of this research will be improved understanding of the environment causing catastrophic failure of bolts and avoidance of potential hazards & economic loss in mining projects. This will lead to improved safety & increased productivity in mining operations.Read moreRead less
Precision three-dimensional localization system for underground mining vehicles, offering improved productivity and personnel safety. The advanced machine guidance and monitoring technology developed by this project will significantly enhance the partner organisation's capacity as a leading supplier of mining machine control systems. The deployment of such enhanced machine control systems will offer an immediate national benefit to the Australian Mining Industry by dramatically improving produc ....Precision three-dimensional localization system for underground mining vehicles, offering improved productivity and personnel safety. The advanced machine guidance and monitoring technology developed by this project will significantly enhance the partner organisation's capacity as a leading supplier of mining machine control systems. The deployment of such enhanced machine control systems will offer an immediate national benefit to the Australian Mining Industry by dramatically improving productivity and occupational safety. The national interest will also be served by this project's significant contribution to Australia's leadership position as an innovator in frontier technologies for mining and robotics. Furthermore, the research outcomes will help to solve similar positioning problems in hazardous, GPS-denied environments such as urban search and rescue.Read moreRead less
Metallurgical Influences on Stress Corrosion Cracking (SCC) of Rock Bolts. This project seeks to understand the metallurgy of stress corrosion cracking (SCC) of rock bolts. Rock bolts are the most effective means of roof support in underground mines and, as a consequence, rock bolts are widely used in the mining industry worldwide. Failure of rock bolts by SCC has significant safety and economic implications. The consequent rock falls have the potential to kill or main any person caught undernea ....Metallurgical Influences on Stress Corrosion Cracking (SCC) of Rock Bolts. This project seeks to understand the metallurgy of stress corrosion cracking (SCC) of rock bolts. Rock bolts are the most effective means of roof support in underground mines and, as a consequence, rock bolts are widely used in the mining industry worldwide. Failure of rock bolts by SCC has significant safety and economic implications. The consequent rock falls have the potential to kill or main any person caught underneath. If a stoppage is caused of the long wall operation in a typical Australian colliery, the typical value of the lost production is of the order of a million dollars a day.Read moreRead less
An Integrated Ground Deformation Monitoring System Based on the Integration of InSAR, GPS and GIS Technologies. Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (InSAR) can be used to monitor ground deformation at high spatial resolution. When integrated with Global Positioning Systems (GPS) so that atmospheric disturbance in InSAR result can be corrected, deformation can be resolved at sub-centimetre accuracy. The corrected InSAR result can be exported as a data layer into Geographic Information System ....An Integrated Ground Deformation Monitoring System Based on the Integration of InSAR, GPS and GIS Technologies. Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (InSAR) can be used to monitor ground deformation at high spatial resolution. When integrated with Global Positioning Systems (GPS) so that atmospheric disturbance in InSAR result can be corrected, deformation can be resolved at sub-centimetre accuracy. The corrected InSAR result can be exported as a data layer into Geographic Information Systems (GIS) for further analysis. In collaboration with Hong Kong Polytechnic University researchers, the integrated InSAR-GPS-GIS system will be tested in both Hong Kong and Australia. The expected outcomes include a suite of algorithms and software tools capable of operational, cost-effective ground deformation monitoring.Read moreRead less
Avoiding catastrophic failure of rock bolts in underground coal mines. This project will examine the factors responsible for the emerging problem of catastrophic failure of rock bolts in underground mines in order to develop strategies for resisting such failures. The consequences of rock bolt failure are potentially enormous from both a mine safety and economic standpoint. The strategies developed are expected to not only reduce the likelihood of injury and death from rock falls but to also red ....Avoiding catastrophic failure of rock bolts in underground coal mines. This project will examine the factors responsible for the emerging problem of catastrophic failure of rock bolts in underground mines in order to develop strategies for resisting such failures. The consequences of rock bolt failure are potentially enormous from both a mine safety and economic standpoint. The strategies developed are expected to not only reduce the likelihood of injury and death from rock falls but to also reduce very expensive mine downtime and avoid costly replacement of broken rock bolts. Australian Rock Bolting Technology is now used internationally and the work will be of substantial significance both nationally and internationally. It will help maintain Australia's international prominence in this field.Read moreRead less