Numerical Simulation of Shearer Operation in a Longwall District

Abstract

This paper presents a relatively simple method to analyze potential methane hazard and preventive methods based on a computer simulation of the airflow and methane emission on the longwall face and in the goaf. The presented approach considers the operation of a longwall shearer and conveyers and their possible impacts on both direct emissions of methane and migration from adjacent goafs. In this work, an attempt was made to control the advance speed of the virtual mining system based on sample mining data in the longwall 841A area and the abandoned longwall 841B at the Bielszowice Hard Coal Mine. The objective of this study was to verify the suitability of the adopted control algorithm. The results obtained from computer simulations of the mining operation with the developed control algorithm are presented in graphics of methane concentration, shearer advance speed and the speed control system parameters.