Application of Particle Flow Code to Evaluate a Concept for Detecting Hazardous Voids in Surge Piles Using Profile Scanning

Details

• Personal Author:
  Iverson, Stephen R. ; Larson, Mark K.
• Description:
  Researchers from the Spokane Research Laboratory of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health have used the particle flow code (PFC2D) computer program to determine whether detecting large voids in surge piles is feasible. The method is to determine profile volume - the volume calculated by determining the volume of the top surface - of the pile near a drawpoint, monitor the volume drawn, and compare the two volumes in real time to detect the formation of voids. If void formation could be detected early, a warning could alert workers of hazardous conditions. Six numerical experiments were run to simulate various conditions. Results show that when no material was added to the pile, voids could be detected by comparing real-time curves of volume scanned and volume drawn. Slopes and differences of the curves were used to detect a void. When material flowed into the area from a stacker tube, void detection was difficult. Prior knowledge of flow curve slopes and an additional indicator of flow from a stacker tube may be necessary to detect voids. An indicator of the presence of a bulldozer in the area is necessary to help identify material added to the pile. [Description provided by NIOSH]
• Subjects:
  Coal Coal Mining Mining Occupational Exposure Occupational Health Safety Software Workplace
• Keywords:
  Coal Mining Computer Models Computer Software Hazards Mining Industry Monitoring Systems Monitors Occupational Hazards Simulation Methods Work Environment Workplace Monitoring

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• Series:
  Mining Publications
• ISBN:
  9789026518270
• Publisher:
  A. A. Balkema
• Document Type:
  Text
• Genre:
  Proceedings
• Place as Subject:
  District of Columbia ; OSHA Region 10 ; OSHA Region 3 ; Washington
• CIO:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
• Division:
  SRL - Spokane Research Laboratory
• Topic:
  Workplace Safety & Health
• Location:
  North America
• Pages in Document:
  459-465
• Volume:
  1
• NIOSHTIC Number:
  nn:20021359
• Citation:
  Rock mechanics in the national interest: proceedings of the 38th U.S. Rock Mechanics Symposium, DC Rocks 2001, July 7-10, 2001, Washington, D. C. Elsworth D, Tinucci JP, Heasley KA, eds. Vol. I, Lisse, Netherlands: A. A. Balkema, 2001 Jul; 1:459-465
• Editor(s):
  Elsworth D; Tinucci JP; Heasley KA
• Federal Fiscal Year:
  2001
• Peer Reviewed:
  False
• Source Full Name:
  Rock mechanics in the national interest: proceedings of the 38th U.S. Rock Mechanics Symposium, DC Rocks 2001, July 7-10, 2001, Washington, D. C.
• Collection(s):
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:b2c053121412a455393f4796d0816e2f6bad29fa0e251dec462fdc0dcf0b4fb09e036e3d89553485681d63a7e4d13106401677890a66790ca18fa794a8244089
• Download URL:
  https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/220470/cdc_220470_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 634.79 KB ]