The efficiency of longwall systems in the case of using different cutting technologies in the LW Bogdanka

Abstract

The authors concentrated on some issues related to the sustainable development of the mining industry, i.e. on the management of fossil fuels deposits to achieve economic efficiency, environmental, as well as social acceptance. It should be borne in mind that Poland still belongs to the countries in which electric energy production and thermal energy production are based on hard coal and lignite. The research work results described in the article present efficiency assessment aspects in the case of different longwall technological systems in the LW Bogdanka. Advantages and disadvantages resulting from using shearer and plow systems are given. An impact of dilution in the run-of-mine on the coal quality is analyzed, and some recommendations emerging from this analysis are suggested. On the basis of the conducted in situ experiments, technical possibilities of reducing dirt are described. As an efficiency assessment is a multi-criterion process, so it requires continuous monitoring of production parameters. The article also contains an analysis of longwall systems in the aspect of dust control. An impact of mining, technical and technological parameters on generated dust amount, in particular in the case of a shearer-equipped longwall face, is discussed. In the conclusions, it is highlighted that an efficient assessment process in the case of longwall systems is complicated as an impact of different factors should be taken into consideration. It is suggested to use the data integration platform based on the Service Oriented Architecture (SOA). Due to the SOA, any mistakes in the scope of the functionality of individual systems can be detected very quickly. Such an approach is fundamental for the realization of the TPM (Total Productive Maintenance), leading to the creation of the so-called Mine of Smart Solutions.