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Create two air splits along the longwall face to isolate the shearer-generated dust to the immediate face area, maintaining a cleaner split of air in the workers' walkway.

Jan 1, 1994

Develop a portable emissions measurement apparatus to sample and measure tailpipe concentrations of diesel particulate matter (DPM), carbon monoxide (CO), carbon dioxide (CO2), nitric oxide (NO), and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) under steady-state engine load and speed conditions during a 1-minute test.

Jan 1, 1994

Develop an easy-to-use, reliable, resin-grouted cable support system capable of being installed as primary and secondary roof support in coal mines.

Jan 1, 1994

Develop and demonstrate a lightweight material that has low thermal conductivity and that would be suitable for placement using shotcrete methods. This material could be applied in deep, hot mines where mine drifts must be insulated. Its use would decrease mine refrigeration needs and reduce energy costs.

Jan 1, 1994

Modify conventional mining practices to reduce significantly the amount of material brought to the surface from underground mines, or to ?re-mine? existing surface mine dumps by backfilling empty underground stopes.

Jan 1, 1994

Reduce the dust exposure of workers in large processing buildings at mineral processing operations, using a total mill ventilation system.

Jan 1, 1994

Provide the technology to remotely reset circuit breakers on continuous mining machines used in extended cuts.

Jan 1, 1994

Improve the dust-control effectiveness of the Rotoclone1 dry-dust collection systems used on surface coal mine drills.

Jan 1, 1994

Predict the spontaneous combustion potential of a mining operation using an expert system computer program.

Jan 1, 1994

Provide room-and-pillar operators with practical in- formation and guidelines concerning multiple-seam mine design to reduce ground problems associated with the interaction of adjacent working.

Jan 1, 1994

To develop a comprehensive, practical method for designing longwall gate entries that considers coal pillar size, mine roof quality, and artificial support in an easy-to-use computer program.

Jan 1, 1995

To reduce air be respirable dust generated from emptying dry dust collectors on small truck-mounted drills used at surface coal mines.

Jan 1, 1995

Provide longwall operators with an alternative strategy for placement of gob gas ventholes to improve gas production.

Jan 1, 1995

To provide accurate navigation and control of continuous mining systems.

Jan 1, 1996

Objective: To discourage miners from going inby unsupported mine roof by developing intrinsically safe devices that render the attendant hazard more evident, direct a person's attention to read the warning message on the module, and thus avoid the hazard beyond the device.

May 1, 1997

May 1, 1997

Objective: Construct a research facility to test sensor technology and engineering controls and to increase awareness of the proper functioning of mine hoists. Improve saferty and prevent injuries and fatalities to vertical movement of personnel and meterials in mine shafts and ore passes.

May 1, 1997

Objective To improve seats on mine shuttle cars with ergonomic design and by reducing shock impact transmitted through the mine vehicle seat to the vehicle operator. Background Operators of underground mobile equipment, particularly shuttle cars, are often exposed to significant levels of shock and whole-body vibration. Past studies have reported that as many as one-third of underground equipment operators could be exposed to adverse levels of shock and whole-body vibration. Moreover, seats on mining equipment, historically, are inadequate relative to the ergonomic needs of the equipment operator. In the extreme, amine vehicle seat has sometimes consisted of blocks of wood or a bent steel plate bolted to the machine frame. Also, the lack of sufficient vertical clearance in some underground mines is an impediment to providing adequate shock isolation systems on mine equipment seats. Approach The NIOSH Pittsburgh Research Center (PRC) is conducting research with viscoelastic foams to improve seats on mine shuttle cars. Viscoelastic foams were used in an ergonomically designed seat to reduce the amount of shock transmitted through the mine vehicle seat to the vehicle operator. Data on selected viscoelastic foams were analyzed from laboratory shock tests at PRC. Using information from the analysis, two ergonomic seats incorporating selected foam were constructed for in-mine testing on a shuttle car (Joy 21SC) in eastern Kentucky. The shuttle car operated in a 35-in-thick coal seam with an approximate mining height of 43 in. Operational data were recorded on the ergonomic and original seats. Further, the shuttle car operator was asked to compare these seats. Results When comparing the original seat (figure 1) with the ergonomic seat (figure 2), the shuttle car operator described the ergonomic seat as generally “much better” than the original seat. The operator explained. “It’s just easy to adjust. And it’s got the lower lumbar support. And the pad is thicker. It’s just much better all the way around.” He added, “It does support you more and [there is] less shock when you hit a hole...I liked the lower lumbar support. That’s where most of your shock is at, in your lower back.” The operational data supported the operator’s comments. In the full-load case, significant improvements in isolation were achieved(down to 15 Hz) with the ergonomic seat. Additional laboratory testing of seven viscoelastic foams was done to further improve the level of isolation from shock and better characterize the material properties of each foam. Data from this testing were used in an analytical model of the seat pan isolation system. Results showed that two of the viscoelastic foams, SUN-MATE EXTRA-SOFT and PUDGEE, gave the most effective shock isolation of the seven materials tested. A composite of EXTRA-SOFT and PUDGEE foams improved the isolation characteristics of the seat pan to approximately 4 Hz. Similarly, EXTRA-SOFT by itself provided isolation to 5 Hz. These results will be validated with future in-mine measurements. Cooperative Research Opportunity NIOSH is seeking cooperators to assist in further research and development of this technology. Additional information on cooperative reseach may be obtained by contacting Jacqueline H. Jansky, Technology Transfer Officer, NIOSH Pittsburgh Research Center, P.O. Box 18070, Cochrans Mill Rd., Pittsburgh, PA 15236-0070, phone: (412) 892-6615, fax: (412) 892-6678, e-mail:jgj7@cdc.gov

May 1, 1997

Assess the technical feasibility of mining small and/or deeply buried frozen placer deposits from the surface through boreholes.

Jan 1, 1997

Objective: To enable mine operators and mine inspectors to make quick and accurate measurements of the explosible nature of coal and rock dust mixtures.

Jul 1, 2008