This paper presents a system for measuring the geometry of powered roof support sections (Shield Support Monitoring System, SSMS). The problem of measuring the geometry of powered roof support sections for the purpose of predicting geological hazards during the rock excavation process is presented. Information on the construction and implementation of the SSMS and research at the Budryk Mine is included. The research aimed to evaluate both the precision and accuracy of the measurement apparatus created, as well as to examine how operating conditions affect the system’s usability. An analysis of inclinometer measurement errors in the prototype system was conducted during in situ tests, demonstrating minimal scattering and high sensor accuracy according to the provided data.

Investing in renewable energy sources bringing direct profits from unattractive areas is one of the most advantageous ways of wastelands revitalization. In the case of post-mining dumps, it is realized by using photovoltaics and wind turbines. Analyzes showed that the greatest benefits can be acquired from photovoltaic farms, mainly due to the simplicity of their design and principles of operation, as well as the quick return on investment -up to 7 years. The construction of wind turbines is more complicated. Despite the favorable conditions of the mining dumps (elevated areas, which are located mainly away from residential buildings), the construction of the turbine requires more effort in designing and installation work, mainly due to the necessity of building the foundations. Methods for revitalizing mine dumps by installing renewable energy systems have some limitations due to periodicity of operation (time of day, season), weather conditions (wind speed, temperature), expensive energy storage, etc. For this reason, real-time monitoring of climatic conditions is required. The following parameters are monitored: the average available solar energy (important for the assessment of the efficiency of photovoltaic cells), speed and direction of the wind (which affects the efficiency of wind turbines), changes in groundwater level (risk of flooding and periodic soil softening), soil and air temperature (air - affects the choice of the method of revitalization, soil - affects the preservation of soil) and dust concentration, which affects the degree of contamination of the photovoltaic modules and thus the efficiency of the photovoltaic (PV) power plant. The presentation includes interesting data that was obtained during the tests.

Roof bolting is the most popular type of support for underground mines’ workings. However, in Polish coal mines it is used only as a supplementary support. To raise the effectiveness and economic score of horizontal development works, JSW (Jastrzębska Spółka Węglowa) started a project to introduce the independent rock bolting support in its mines. The key element of the project is the monitoring of mine workings supported with roof bolting, as appropriate control allows one to ensure a proper level of safety. The following work presents a monitoring system for mine working supported with roof bolting applied in the project, as well as results of the measurements obtained using this system. The aim of the monitoring was to prove that independent roof bolting provides a proper level of safety and thus is applicable in conditions of Polish underground coal mines, particularly Budryk mine. It was to be proved by the evaluation of data obtained from instrumented bolts, extensometers of different type and convergence measurements. These results allowed us to verify the validity and reliability of the roof bolting in geological and mining conditions of Silesian Coal Basin.

Mining in underground plants is associated with high risk. Improving work safety and increasing the productivity of longwall systems in the mining industry is a problem considering many criteria. Safety aspects concern both the crew and the machinery. The KOMAG Institute of Mining Technology designed and manufactured a geometry monitoring system based on inclinometers that meet the requirements of the ATEX directive. Monitoring of the roof support geometry is used for the prevention of loss of roof stability: roof fall or/and cave-in. The system was tested on a real object in real conditions.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.46544/AMS.v26i4.04 Abstract Estimation of the mechanical responses of a sample of rock is a critical characteristic to estimate the responses of rock strata under stress. In this paper, laboratory tests analysis and numerical modelling are used to analyse and replicate intact rock materials. Laboratory and petrographical analyses were undertaken to characterise the brittle response to the uniaxial loading of selected sedimentary samples. Complementary numerical modelling of virtual uniaxial compression tests is carried out using 3DEC software. These models were developed through a Grain Based Model capable of reproducing brittle failure of rocks, for which Voronoi 3D tessellation was generated. Failure mechanisms observed in laboratory and non-linear behaviour due to fracture propagation have been reproduced. Virtual modelling of intact rock with Discrete Element Code would allow, in combination with Discrete Fracture Networks, the numerical analysis of rock mass scale effects and anisotropy through Synthetic Rock Mass (SRM) modelling.

The paper presents the results of research on the geometry measurement system of a powered roof support using inclinometers that meet the requirements of the ATEX directive. Coal mining is most often carried out using a mechanized longwall system. The longwall system includes basic machines, such as a longwall shearer, a longwall conveyor, and a powered roof support that secures the roof of the excavation. The powered roof support consists of sections that are hydraulically or electro-hydraulically controlled and are equipped with pressure sensors in selected places of the hydraulic system and displacement sensors for selected actuators. One of the challenges associated with controlling and monitoring the parameters of the powered roof support section is the mapping of its geometry and mutual arrangement of individual components. KOMAG Institute of Mining Technology has designed and made a geometry monitoring system based on inclinometers that meet the requirements of the ATEX directive. System tests were carried out on a real object in laboratory conditions. As a result of the research, the influence of the structure of the powered roof support on the accuracy of geometry measurement and mapping was determined. The results of the tests will be used during the implementation of the system in real conditions.

The article presents conceptual assumptions and achieved functional-utility effects concerning the implementation of control and visualization system of operation of pulsating jigs in the Coal Mechanical Processing Plant of BUDRYK Coal Mine. The system includes six OSM medium-grain and two OM fine jigs. The communication structure of the control system, including the connection with the master controller, is presented. The process of selecting the controller settings, to stabilize the quality parameters of the coal beneficiation, is discussed.

Artykuł opisuje cele projektu badawczo rozwojowego PRASS III „Productivity and safety of shield support” realizowanego przez ITG KOMAG w międzynarodowym konsorcjum i współfinansowanego przez Europejski Fundusz Węgla i Stali. Projekt PRASS III dotyczy aspektów współpracy ścianowej obudowy zmechanizowanej z górotworem, w kontekście bezpieczeństwa załogi górniczej oraz bezpieczeństwa technicznego. Wydobycie węgla kamiennego realizowane jest najczęściej z wykorzystaniem ścianowego kompleksu zmechanizowanego, w skład którego wchodzą maszyny podstawowe, takie jak kombajn ścianowy, przenośnik ścianowy oraz obudowa zmechanizowana, zabezpieczająca strop wyrobiska.

The paper presents the results of testing the geometry measurement system of powered roof support using inclinometers that meet the requirements of the ATEX directive. Mechanized longwall system is most often used for coal mining. The longwall system includes basic machines, such as a longwall shearer, AFC and powered roof support that protects the roof. The powered roof support consists of the units that are hydraulically or electro-hydraulically controlled and are equipped with pressure sensors in the selected places of the hydraulic system and displacement sensors for selected actuators. One of the challenges associated with controlling and monitoring the parameters of the powered roof support is the mapping of its geometry and arrangement of individual components. KOMAG Institute of Mining Technology designed and manufactured the geometry monitoring system based on inclinometers that meet the requirements of the ATEX Directive. The system was tested on a real object in the laboratory. Impact of the structure of the powered roof support on the accuracy of geometry measurement and mapping was determined based on the test results. The results of the tests will be used during the implementation of the system in real conditions.

In mining plants there are the machines and technological lines, in which use of additional sensors e.g. temperature or pressure ones, is recommended, but due to high temperature in workings it is difficult. Regulations resulting from the ATEX Directive limit a possibility of modernization of the existing systems for control of machines and use of additional measuring sensors with wires. A concept of electricity generator, designed to power the wireless sensors, which uses the pressure changes in a hydraulic system of machines, is presented. Presented generator is planned to be used in wireless temperature or pressure sensors intended to be used in mobile mining machines equipped with hydraulic systems.

Jedną z najczęściej stosowanych metod przeróbki nadaw węglowych jest wzbogacanie w węzłach osadzarkowych. O skuteczności tego procesu decydują m.in. sterowanie natężeniem przepływu nadawy oraz odprowadzaniem produktów wzbogacania. Uzasadnia to potrzebę integracji układów sterowania poszczególnych maszyn wchodzących w skład węzła technologicznego, w jeden zintegrowany system. W artykule przedstawiono propozycję innowacyjnego połączenia układów sterowania maszyn tworzących węzeł osadzarkowy, bazującą na korelacjach parametrów procesowych.

Ciągłość dostaw energii elektrycznej jest podstawowym czynnikiem warunkującym prowadzenie działalności w zakładach górniczych i jest podstawą bezpieczeństwa pracy ludzi oraz ochrony środków produkcji. Przerwy w dostawach energii stwarzają zagrożenie dla takich procesów jak: przewietrzanie wyrobisk podziemnych, transport załogi z i na powierzchnię kopalni. Instalacje elektryczne są często bardzo złożone i przesyłają dużą ilości energii, zwłaszcza, gdy szczytowe wartości mocy obciążenia są kilka razy wyższe niż jego średnia moc. Stąd istotne jest zarządzanie kopalnianą siecią elektroenergetyczną i jej monitorowanie oraz prognozowanie obciążeń i wspomaganie podejmowania decyzji w różnych warunkach funkcjonowania sieci. W niniejszym artykule przedstawiono oprogramowanie opracowane w ITG KOMAG.

This paper presents the results of a European project – M-SmartGrid. A smartgrid is an electric grid that uses new technologies to improve the efficiency of the production and distribution of electrical energy. The article presents the software based on idea of the smart electric grids.

Organisational measures and research projects performed at the KOMAG Institute of Mining Technology in the scope of mechatronics and information technology are presented in this paper. Results of chosen, implemented scientific research project results are given. Developed solutions, e.g. identification system of powered roof support unit components, a roadheader smart control system and a longwall shearer vibrodiagnostics system. Showed solutions are examples of innovative software solutions implemented in the hard coal mining industry.

Perspectives of development of control system dedicated for areas threatened by methane and/or coal dust explosion hazard are presented. Development of self-powered sensors, dedicated for operation in wireless network is one of the development directions. Such a solution will complement typical control systems and it can be used in the places, where there is no possibility of using the typical sensors, in close vicinity to the machine – due to lack of wired connection. General concept of the self-powered sensors with use of two methods of power supply – piezoelectric energy harvester and thermoelectric generator, is given. Perspective of using the methods of artificial intelligence in automatic configuration of sensors network is suggested.

W artykule przedstawiono wybrane zagadnienia z zakresu zaawansowanych systemów sterowania mobilnych maszyn górniczych, z wykorzystaniem magistrali rozproszonej CAN, oraz perspektywy rozwoju systemów sterowania dedykowanych do pracy przestrzeni zagrożonych wybuchem metanu i/lub pyłu węglowego. Jednym z kierunków rozwoju systemów jest wprowadzenie w sieciach bezprzewodowych czujników samozasilających, co umożliwia ich zastosowanie w miejscach, w których zastosowanie czujników konwencjonalnych jest utrudnione. Przedstawiono również zagadnienie inteligencji w samoorganizacji ścieżek transmisji danych (trasowanie, routing) w złożonej sieci sensorycznej.

On the market of energy harvesting devices, there are more and more solutions, what means strong development of this relatively new part of industry. In the case of underground mining industry, it is not possible to use the typical solutions and they must be properly adopted. Part of the project results associated with a development of wireless, self-supplying sensor networks for operation in underground mines are given. The results of the measurement of voltage generated by piezoelectric energy harvester (PEH) for of free mounting and installation in the housing, limiting its deflection, are given. Tests were conducted in the laboratory conditions, using a vibrating table. The measurement results indicate a significant reduction of energy generated by PEH when it is installed in the casing, confining its movement. Simulated operation of wireless sensor powered by PEH in a casing and without casing is also presented.

Ważnym czynnikiem decydującym o poprawnej i bezawaryjnej pracy przenośnika ścianowego jest właściwa siła naciągu łańcucha. Podczas pracy jest ona zmienna wzdłuż całego konturu łańcuchowego, co jest wynikiem przekazywania na łańcuch siły pociągowej przez dwa oddalone od siebie napędy, własności sprężystych łańcucha oraz nierównomiernie rozłożonego i ciągle zmieniającego się obciążenia. Rodzi to problemy związane z efektywnym wykorzystaniem mocy, zwłaszcza we względnie długich przenośnikach osiągających ponad 300 m. W artykule przedstawiono propozycję innowacyjnego systemu sterownia ścianowym przenośnikiem zgrzebłowym z funkcją automatycznego sterowania naciągiem łańcucha oraz wyrównywania obciążeń napędów.