1
25-047
Influence of Cutting Geometry and Wear Conditions on Dust
Concentration and Performance of Conical Pick Cutters
Anshuman Mohanty
Mining Engineering Department,
Colorado School of Mines, CO
Manso Deen Sesay
Mining Engineering Department,
Colorado School of Mines, CO
Midhat Sajad
Mining Engineering Department,
Colorado School of Mines, CO
Jamal Rostami
Mining Engineering Department,
Colorado School of Mines, CO
Sydney Slouka
Civil Engineering Department,
Colorado School of Mines, CO
Hugh Miller
Mining Engineering Department,
Colorado School of Mines, CO
Kun Zhang
Earth Mechanics Institute,
Colorado School of Mines, CO
ABSTRACT
The lack of progress in controlling pulmonary diseases
such as pneumoconiosis cases in recent years necessitates
additional studies on dust generation and the characteriza-
tion of airborne dust. Studies are underway by a NIOSH-
sponsored project to observe the characteristics of the dust
generated by pick cutters under various wear levels. This
research performed a full-scale linear-cutting-test matrix on
eight coal samples with various bit penetrations, spacing,
and wear conditions. The specific energy and resulting PSD
(particle size distribution) of airborne dust and material left
at the cutting surface were measured and analyzed. The dust
concentration was determined using the NMAM (NIOSH
Manual of Analytical Methods) 0600 method. For fines,
the PSD was characterized using Laser Diffraction, mea-
suring percent channel and aerodynamic diameter, while
Imagej, a virtual sieving application, was used for larger
particles. The results show that for a new bit, as the cutting
depth and spacing increase, the specific energy and dust
generation decrease. The size and shape of the dust particles
have been analyzed, and the observed trends are discussed
in this paper.
INTRODUCTION
Underground coal remains a core source of the world’s
energy supply but poses serious hazards with rising demand.
To meet market needs, intensified coal production leads to
accelerated wear on cutting instruments caused by friction
with coal and rock. However, through higher production,
the Cutting instruments corrode through friction with coal
and rock, reducing cutting efficiency, energy, and operat-
ing costs. These adversities in machine equipment demand
continual repairs and replacements and also put additional
pressure on emissions of harmful gases like greenhouse
gases. Secondly, mines produce vast quantities of inhalable
coal dust, which puts workers at severe risk of lung-related
prolonged disease. They have demonstrated that long-term
exposure to coal dust is associated with pneumoconiosis
(Han et al., 2015), silicosis (Shekarian, 2020), and chronic
obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) (Mazurek, 2010).
Pneumoconiosis recurrence (from Blackley et al. (2018)
highlights the risks of poor dust controls, cracking coal
seams, and extended shifts. Mixed dust also leads to far
more severe diseases, such as progressive massive fibrosis
(Garcia, 2016).
25-047
Influence of Cutting Geometry and Wear Conditions on Dust
Concentration and Performance of Conical Pick Cutters
Anshuman Mohanty
Mining Engineering Department,
Colorado School of Mines, CO
Manso Deen Sesay
Mining Engineering Department,
Colorado School of Mines, CO
Midhat Sajad
Mining Engineering Department,
Colorado School of Mines, CO
Jamal Rostami
Mining Engineering Department,
Colorado School of Mines, CO
Sydney Slouka
Civil Engineering Department,
Colorado School of Mines, CO
Hugh Miller
Mining Engineering Department,
Colorado School of Mines, CO
Kun Zhang
Earth Mechanics Institute,
Colorado School of Mines, CO
ABSTRACT
The lack of progress in controlling pulmonary diseases
such as pneumoconiosis cases in recent years necessitates
additional studies on dust generation and the characteriza-
tion of airborne dust. Studies are underway by a NIOSH-
sponsored project to observe the characteristics of the dust
generated by pick cutters under various wear levels. This
research performed a full-scale linear-cutting-test matrix on
eight coal samples with various bit penetrations, spacing,
and wear conditions. The specific energy and resulting PSD
(particle size distribution) of airborne dust and material left
at the cutting surface were measured and analyzed. The dust
concentration was determined using the NMAM (NIOSH
Manual of Analytical Methods) 0600 method. For fines,
the PSD was characterized using Laser Diffraction, mea-
suring percent channel and aerodynamic diameter, while
Imagej, a virtual sieving application, was used for larger
particles. The results show that for a new bit, as the cutting
depth and spacing increase, the specific energy and dust
generation decrease. The size and shape of the dust particles
have been analyzed, and the observed trends are discussed
in this paper.
INTRODUCTION
Underground coal remains a core source of the world’s
energy supply but poses serious hazards with rising demand.
To meet market needs, intensified coal production leads to
accelerated wear on cutting instruments caused by friction
with coal and rock. However, through higher production,
the Cutting instruments corrode through friction with coal
and rock, reducing cutting efficiency, energy, and operat-
ing costs. These adversities in machine equipment demand
continual repairs and replacements and also put additional
pressure on emissions of harmful gases like greenhouse
gases. Secondly, mines produce vast quantities of inhalable
coal dust, which puts workers at severe risk of lung-related
prolonged disease. They have demonstrated that long-term
exposure to coal dust is associated with pneumoconiosis
(Han et al., 2015), silicosis (Shekarian, 2020), and chronic
obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) (Mazurek, 2010).
Pneumoconiosis recurrence (from Blackley et al. (2018)
highlights the risks of poor dust controls, cracking coal
seams, and extended shifts. Mixed dust also leads to far
more severe diseases, such as progressive massive fibrosis
(Garcia, 2016).