Effects of dust controls on respirable coal mine dust composition and particle sizes:case studies on auxiliary scrubbers and canopy air curtain

Control of dust in underground coal mines is critical for mitigating both safety and health hazards.For decades,the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health(NIOSH)has led research to evaluate the effectiveness of various dust control technologies in coal mines.Recent studies have included the evaluation of auxiliary scrubbers to reduce respirable dust downstream of active mining and the use of canopy air curtains(CACs)to reduce respirable dust in key operator positions.While detailed dust characterization was not a focus of such studies,this is a growing area of interest.Using preserved filter samples from three previous NIOSH studies,the current work aims to explore the effect of two different scrubbers(one wet and one dry)and a roof bolter CAC on respirable dust composition and particle size distribution.For this,the preserved filter samples were analyzed by thermogravimetric analysis and/or scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive X-ray.Results indicate that dust composition was not appreciably affected by either scrubber or the CAC.However,the wet scrubber and CAC appeared to decrease the overall particle size distribution.Such an effect of the dry scrubber was not consistently observed,but this is probably related to the particular sampling location downstream of the scrubber which allowed for significant mixing of the scrubber exhaust and other return air.Aside from the insights gained with respect to the three specific dust control case studies revisited here,this work demonstrates the value of preserved dust samples for follow-up investigation more broadly.

Stability behavior of the Lanxi ancient flood control levee after reinforcement with upside-down hanging wells and grouting curtain

The stability of the ancient flood control levees is mainly influenced by water level fluctuations, groundwater concentration and rainfalls. This paper takes the Lanxi ancient levee as a research object to study the evolution laws of its seepage, displacement and stability before and after reinforcement with the upside-down hanging wells and grouting curtain through numerical simulation methods combined with experiments and observations. The study results indicate that the filled soil is less affected by water level fluctuations and groundwater concentration after reinforcement. A high groundwater level is detrimental to the levee's long-term stability, and the drainage issues need to be fully considered. The deformation of the reinforced levee is effectively controlled since the fill deformation is mainly borne by the upside-down hanging wells. The safety factors of the levee before reinforcement vary significantly with the water level. The minimum value of the safety factors is 0.886 during the water level decreasing period, indicating a very high risk of the instability. While it reached 1.478 after reinforcement, the stability of the ancient levee is improved by a large margin.

Research Progress of Aromatic Bed Curtains for Aiding Sleep Based on Lavender Microcapsule Technique

In this paper, the preparation technique of lavender essential oil microcapsules and the construction method of aromatic textiles were expounded, and the research status of bed curtains and lavender microcapsules at home and abroad was analyzed and studied from the perspective of application in textiles. The application of lavender essential oil to bed curtains through the microcapsule technique was put forward to allow lavender essential oil to play its role of helping sleep in bed curtains. This paper expounded the material selection and preparation technique of lavender microcapsule agents, and put forward the preparation method of microcapsules with mixed solutions of pure Chinese medicine extracts and natural essences as core material and high-viscosity epoxy resin as wall materials. The post-processing techniques and the spray ironing method for clothing were studied and developed, and these techniques and methods were applied to bed curtains, and good results were obtained.

Innovative Techniques Unveiled in Advanced Sheet Pile Curtain Design

This thorough review explores the complexities of geotechnical engineering, emphasizing soil-structure interaction (SSI). The investigation centers on sheet pile design, examining two primary methodologies: Limit Equilibrium Methods (LEM) and Soil-Structure Interaction Methods (SSIM). While LEM methods, grounded in classical principles, provide valuable insights for preliminary design considerations, they may encounter limitations in addressing real-world complexities. In contrast, SSIM methods, including the SSI-SR approach, introduce precision and depth to the field. By employing numerical techniques such as Finite Element (FE) and Finite Difference (FD) analyses, these methods enable engineers to navigate the dynamics of soil-structure interaction. The exploration extends to SSI-FE, highlighting its essential role in civil engineering. By integrating Finite Element analysis with considerations for soil-structure interaction, the SSI-FE method offers a holistic understanding of how structures dynamically interact with their geotechnical environment. Throughout this exploration, the study dissects critical components governing SSIM methods, providing engineers with tools to navigate the intricate landscape of geotechnical design. The study acknowledges the significance of the Mohr-Coulomb constitutive model while recognizing its limitations, and guiding practitioners toward informed decision-making in geotechnical analyses. As the article concludes, it underscores the importance of continuous learning and innovation for the future of geotechnical engineering. With advancing technology and an evolving understanding of soil-structure interaction, the study remains committed to ensuring the safety, stability, and efficiency of geotechnical structures through cutting-edge design and analysis techniques.

EXPERIMENT OF SMOKE-PREVENTING AIR CURTAINS IN HIGH-RISE BUILDING FIRES

In high-rise building fires, the most immediate threat to passenger life and safety evacuation is the smoke inhalation. Some traditional models for smoke prevention and exhaust are analyzed and compared with the smoke-preventing air curtain. The rationality and the feasibility of the air curtain are theoretically expounded. The air volume, tuyere width and jet velocity in the air curtain experiment are designed according to the theoreti- cal calculation model. Experimental results indicate that the effect of air curtain to prevent smoke diffusion is re- markable as the volume ratio of air-smoke is about 0. 6, the jet angle is between 25^o and 35^o, and the jet thickness is between 25 mm and 45 mm. The efficiency of air curtain can reach 98% on the entraining effect. Meanwhile, experiments verify the theorectical calculation.

Porosity and permeability variations of a dam curtain during dissolution

During reservoir operation,the erosion effects of groundwater change the porosity and permeability of the dam curtain,causing changes to the seepage field.To understand where the changes take place and to what degree the porosity and permeability change,a multi-field coupling model was built and solved.The model takes into account seepage,solution concentration,and solid structure.The model was validated using uplift pressure monitoring data.Then,the variations in curtain porosity,seepage flow,and loss quantity of Ca(OH)2 were calculated.The key time nodes were obtained through curve fitting of the variation of seepage flow with the BiDoseResp function.The results showed that the model could reflect the attenuation trend of curtain performance well.The process and position of the erosion were not homogeneous.Although erosion mainly occurred at the top and bottom of the curtain,it was most developed at the top.The erosion effects developed slowly during the early stage,much fast during the middle and late stages,and culminated in complete dissolution.The model results and the daily monitoring data can provide a scientific basis for the safe operation and management of reservoirs.

Experimental study of water curtain performance for gas storage in an underground cavern

An artificial water curtain system is composed of a network of underground galleries and horizontal boreholes drilled from these galleries.Pre-grouting measures are introduced to keep the bedrock saturated all the time.This system is deployed over an artificial or natural underground cavern used for the storage of gas（or some other fluids） to prevent the gas from escaping through leakage paths in the rock mass.An experimental physical modeling system has been constructed to evaluate the performance of artificial water curtain systems under various conditions.These conditions include different spacings of caverns and cavern radii located below the natural groundwater level.The principles of the experiment,devices,design of the physical model,calculation of gas leakage,and evaluation of the critical gas pressure are presented in this paper.Experimental result shows that gas leakage is strongly affected by the spacing of water curtain boreholes,the critical gas pressure,and the number and proximity of storage caverns.The hydraulic connection between boreholes is observed to vary with depth or location,which suggests that the distribution of water-conducting joint sets along the boreholes is also variable.When designing the drainage system for a cavern,drainage holes should be orientated to maximize the frequency at which they encounter major joint sets and permeable intervals studying in order to maintain the seal on the cavern through water pressure.Our experimental results provide a significant contribution to the theoretical controls on water curtains,and they can be used to guide the design and construction of practical storage caverns.

Optimization of Vehicle Side Curtain Airbag Module Based on Computer Aided Engineering

Compared with other kinds of airbags, curtain airbag（CAB） has more complex structures and larger coverage area. The product development process depends on many module tests, sled tests and full size vehicle tests. Computer aided engineering（CAE） technology can replace tests to a great extent, also save test costs and product development time. This paper introduces the way of setting up simulation models and application of static deployment tests and free motion headform（FMH） tests to verify simulation models. In the CAB simulation, uniform pressure airbag models and computational fluid dynamics（CFD） models are all used. The uniform pressure airbag models are not able to simulate the pressure difference among different parts inside the cushion during inflating process. CFD-based CAB models are used to help the curtain airbag optimization design. Based on effective CAE simulation, the optimization analyses related to diffuser tube parameters, inflator mass flow rate and cushion folding patterns are discussed and performed in different cases. The optimization result shows that the proposed techniques are helpful to the parametric optimization design of side curtain airbag module in curtain airbag development process.

Removal of Pb^(2+) and Cd^(2+) by adsorption on clay-solidified grouting curtain for waste landfills

Pb2+ and Cd2+ in leachate were adsorbed on clay-solidified grouting curtain for waste landfills with equilibrium experiment. The cation exchange capacity was determined with ammonium acetate. And the concentration of heavy metal cations in leachate was determined with atomic absorption spectrophotometer. Their equilibrium isotherms were measured, and the experimental isotherm data were analyzed by using Freundlich and Langmuir models. The results show that the adsorption capacities of the heavy metal cations are closely related to the compositions of clay-solidified grouting curtain, and the maximum adsorption appears at the ratio of cement to clay of 2∶4 in the experimental conditions. At their maximum adsorption and pH 5.0, the adsorption capacities of Pb 2+ and Cd 2+ are 16.19mg/g and 1.21mg/g. The competitive adsorption coefficients indicate that the adsorption of clay-solidified grouting curtain for Pb2+ is stronger than that for Cd 2+ . The adsorption process conforms to Freundlich’s model with related coefficient higher than 0.996.

Laboratory results of a 3rd generation roof bolter canopy air curtain for respirable coal mine dust control

Testing was completed on an earlier roof bolter CAC that used slots to provide a perimeter airflow. NIOSH tested it due to its unique design that differed from canopies that provided uniform airflow. Based upon NIOSH recommendations from the earlier testing, a 3rd generation roof bolter CAC has been developed by J.H. Fletcher & Co. The changes to this CAC involve design modifications to the plenum outlets, using a single row of outlets on the perimeter and a different material for the plenum. This laboratory testing was a continuation of the original perimeter slotted CAC design. Using gravimetric and instantaneous sampling of respirable dust concentrations underneath and outside of the CAC. the laboratory testing was completed using three different blower fans that delivered differing airflows. The maximum plenum airflow velocities ranged from 2.34 to 3.64 m/s (460-716 fpm). Results showed plenum respirable dust concentrations ranging from 34.6% to 49.3% lower than respirable dust concentrations outside the plenum protection zone, thus showing an improvement in protection for the roof bolter operators.

Airflow characteristics by air curtain jets in full-scale room

A new air distribution pattern,air curtain jet ventilation was presented.The ventilation or airflow patterns and the air velocity produced by air curtain jet were investigated in detail.To identify the airflow characteristics of this novel air curtain jet ventilation system,a full-scale room was used to measure the jet velocity with a slot-ventilated supply device,with regards to the airflow fields along the vertical wall as well as on the horizontal floor zones.The airflow fields under three supply air velocities,1.0,1.5 and 2.0 m/s,were carried out in the full-scale room.The experimental results show the velocity profiles of air distribution,the airflow fields along the attached vertical wall and the air lake zones on the floor,respectively.The current experimental research is helpful for heating,ventilation and air conditioning(HVAC) engineers to design better air distribution in rooms.

Retention of clay-solidified grouting curtain to Cd^(2+), Pb^(2+) and Hg^(2+) in landfill of municipal solid waste

The effects of components and their ratio of grouts on anti-seepage capability of clay-solidified grouting curtain and its permeability of heavy metal cations were investigated by permeating experiments, using reactive solute transport model to study the permeation of heavy metals (Cd2+, Pb2+ and Hg2+). The study of permeating for different mixture ratios of cement and clay indicates that hydraulic conductivity of clay-solidified grouting curtain with different ratios of solid to liquid or with the same ratio of solid to liquid but with different ratios of cement to clay is changed. The laboratory simulation test results also show that precipitates produced in heavy metal cation migration process in curtain block up water flowing passage which makes the hydraulic conductivity of the solution-permeated curtain decrease with the leakage time. The permeation velocities for different heavy metal cations vary with ionic concentration, exchange capacity and ion radius etc. The test results indicate that the permeation rapidity order of heavy metals cations in clay-solidified grouting curtain is Hg2+>Pb2+ in the same experimental circumstance. In addition, permeability for different mixture ratios and antisepsis capabilities of clay-solidified grouting curtain were studied in tests.

Laboratory testing of a shuttle car canopy air curtain for respirable coal mine dust control

Canopy air curtain （CAC） technology has been developed by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health （NIOSH） for use on continuous miners and subsequently roof bolting machines in underground coal mines to protect operators of these machines from overexposure to respirable coal mine dust. The next logical progression is to develop a CAC for shuttle cars to protect operators from the same overexposures. NIOSH awarded a contract to Marshall University and J.H. Fletcher to develop the shuttle car CAC. NIOSH conducted laboratory testing to determine the dust control efficiency of the shuttle car CAC. Testing was conducted on two different cab configurations： a center drive similar to that on a Joy 10SC32AA cab model and an end drive similar to that on a Joy 10SC32AB cab model. Three different ventilation velocities were tested-0.61, 2.0, 4.3 rrds （120, 400, and 850 fpm）. The lowest, 0.61 m/s （120 fpm）, represented the ventilation velocity encountered during loading by the continuous miner, while the 4.3 m/s （850 fpm） velocity represented ventilation velocity airflow over the shuttle car while tramming against ventilation airflow. Test results showed an average of the dust control efficiencies ranging from 74 to 83% for 0.61 m/s （120 fpm）, 39%-43% for 2.0 m/s （400 fpm）, and 6%-16% for 4.3 m/s （850 fpm）. Incorporating an airflow spoiler to the shuttle car CAC design and placing the CAC so that it is located 22.86 cm （9 in.） forward of the operator improved the dust control efficiency to 51%-55% for 4.3 m/s （850 fpm） with minimal impact on dust control efficiencies for lower ventilation velocities. These laboratory tests demonstrate that the newly developed shuttle car CAC has the potential to successfully protect shuttle car operators from coal mine respirable dust overexposures.

Field study results of a 3rd generation roof bolter canopy air curtain for respirable coal mine dust control

A 3rd generation roof bolter canopy air curtain(CAC)has been developed and constructed by J.H.Fletcher&Co.,Inc.As with the previous generation of the CAC,this design uses the principle of providing uniform airflow across the canopy area as recommended by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health.The new modifications include a plenum that is constructed of a single flat aluminum plate,smaller-diameter airflow openings,and a single row of perimeter nozzles designed to prevent mine air contaminated by respirable dust from entering the CAC protection zone.Field testing was conducted on this new 3rd generation design showing reductions in coal mine respirable dust exposure for roof bolter operators.Dust control efficiencies for the CAC for the left bolter operator(intake side)ranged from approximately 26%–60%,while the efficiencies for the CAC for the right bolter operator(return side)ranged from 3%to 47%.

Experimental Investigation on Flow Characteristics at Leeside of Suspended Flexible Curtain for Sedimentation Enhancement

A new patent registered device- suspended flexible curtain （SFC） for sedimentation enhancement is proposed in this paper, which consists of two parts： a light-weight curtain with sediment-passing windows and a heavy pillar for the device stability. The mechanism of trapping nearbed sediment by the SFC is such that a primary and a secondary circulations with horizontal hubs would be formed at the leeside when it is placed on beds in running flow; the velocities within the sediment-passing windows are locally accelerated, the nearbed sediments would be brought by the flow through the windows, and then settled down within the primary circulation zone. Experimental tests on hydraulic characteristics are conducted in a laboratory flume with rigid bed. It is found that the dimensions of the curtain and the sediment-passing windows determine the characteristics of the primary and the secondary circulations. The intensity of the primary and the secondary circulations is dominated by the size of the sediment-passing window. Whether the secondary circulation would contact the bed or not depends on the level of the sediment-passing window. The length and the height of the primary circulation zone demonstrate quasi linear relationships with the effective height of the SFC. And the tests on sandy bed flume show that the sediment deposition happens just in the primary circulation zone.

Numerical simulation of dust distribution at a fully mechanized face under the isolation effect of an air curtain

At a fully mechanized working face of a coal mine as prototype,we investigated,by simulation,the flow field and dust distribution during the process of its isolation by a curtain of air,using the CFD software, Fluent.The results show that the air curtain installed on the shearer can effectively prevent the dust （especially the respirable dust）from diffusing into the work area of the operator,reducing the dust concentration on the side of the operator and greatly improving his working environment.The field application of the air curtain shows that the dust-isolation effect of an air curtain is quite noticeable.The isolation efficiency for respiratory dust is over 70%and,as well,it has good dust-isolation effect for nonrespiratory dust.The air curtain is a useful way to resolve the problem of dust-isolation at a fully mechanized working face.It has a practical background elsewhere with more extensive applications.

Hydraulic Modeling of A Curtain-Walled Dissipater by the Coupling of RANS and Boussinesq Equations

A hybrid numerical method for the hydraulic modeling of a curtain-walled dissipater of reflected waves from breakwaters is presented. In this method, a zonal approach that combines a nonlinear weakly dispersive wave (Boussinesq-type equation) method and a Reynolds-Averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS) method is used. The Boussinesq-type equation is solved in the far field to describe wave transformation in shallow water. The RANS method is used in die near field to resolve the turbulent boundary layer and vortex flows around the structure. Suitable matching conditions are enforced at the interface between the viscous and the Boussinesq region. The Coupled RANS and Boussinesq method successfully resolves the vortex characteristics of flow in the vicinity of the structure, while unexpected phenomena like wave re-reflection are effectively controlled by lengthening the Boussinesq region. Extensive results on hydraulic performance of a curtain-walled dissipater and the mechanism of dissipation of reflected waves are presented, providing a reference for minimization of die breadth of the water chamber and for determination of the submerged depth of the curtain wall.

Design and operation problems related to water curtain system forunderground water-sealed oil storage caverns

The underground water-sealed storage technique is critically important and generally accepted for the national energy strategy in China. Although several small underground water-sealed oil storage caverns have been built in China since the 1970s, there is still a lack of experience for large-volume underground storage in complicated geological conditions. The current design concept of water curtain system and the technical instruction for system operation have limitations in maintaining the stability of surrounding rock mass during the construction of the main storage caverns, as well as the long-term stability. Although several large-scale underground oil storage projects are under construction at present in China, the design concepts and construction methods, especially for the water curtain system, are mainly based on the ideal porosity medium flow theory and the experiences gained from the similar projects overseas. The storage projects currently constructed in China have the specific features such as huge scale, large depth, multiple-level arrangement, high seepage pressure, complicated geological conditions, and high in situ stresses, which are the challenging issues for the stability of the storage caverns. Based on years’ experiences obtained from the first large-scale （millions of cubic meters） underground water-sealed oil storage project in China, some design and operation problems related to water curtain system during project construction are discussed. The drawbacks and merits of the water curtain system are also presented. As an example, the conventional concept of “filling joints with water” is widely used in many cases, as a basic concept for the design of the water curtain system, but it is immature. In this paper, the advantages and disadvantages of the conventional concept are pointed out, with respect to the long-term stability as well as the safety of construction of storage caverns. Finally, new concepts and principles for design and construction of the underground water-sealed oil storage caverns are proposed.

Effects of a liquid lithium curtain as the first wall in a fusion reactor plasma

This paper explores the effect of a liquid lithium curtain on fusion reactor plasma, such curtain is utilized as the first wall for the engineering outline design of the Fusion Experimental Breeder （FEB-E）. The relationships between the surface temperature of a liquid lithium curtain and the effective plasma charge, fuel dilution and fusion power production have been derived. Results indicate that under normal operation, the evaporation of liquid lithium does not seriously affect the effective plasma charge, but effects on fuel dilution and fusion power are more sensitive. As an example, it has investigated the relationships between the liquid lithium curtain flow velocity and the rise of surface temperature based on operation scenario II of the FEB-E design with reversed shear configuration and high power density. Results show that even if the liquid lithium curtain flow velocity is as low as 0.5 m/s, the effects of evaporation from the liquid lithium curtain on plasma are negligible. In the present design, the sputtering of liquid lithium curtain and the particle removal effects of the divertor are not yet considered in detail. Further studies are in progress, and in this work implication of lithium erosion and divertor physics on fusion reactor operation are discussed.

Factors affecting phenol adsorption on clay-solidified grouting curtain

Batch experiments were conducted to study the adsorption of phenol on clay-solidified grouting curtain (CSGC) and the effects of contact time,pH and adsorbent concentration on the adsorption were investigated.Under the experimental conditions used,2 d was adequate to determine the equilibrium of phenol adsorption onto CSGC.The amount of phenol adsorbed by CSGC from an initial concentration of 100mg/L was found to be 8.4mg/g.The adsorption process includes particle diffusion and liquid film diffusion,and the latter is the predominating step of the adsorption process.The adsorption ability of CSGC decreased with pH but it increased non-linearly with the CSGC concentration.The optimized concentration for CSGC was found to be 20g/L for the adsorption of 100mg/L phenol.