Development of Drilling Control Technology to Reduce Drilling Noise during Roof Bolting Operations

Abstract

Noise induced hearing loss is a serious health issue among coal mine workers. The roof bolting operation is one of the noisiest underground mining operations. It is second among all equipment in underground coal mines whose operators exceed 100% noise dosage according to MSHA data. In roof bolting, the noise generated in the roof drilling normally contributes a major proportion to the noise exposure to this particular group of miners. This study is to develop a drilling control technology to reduce noise generated during roof bolting drilling. Previous research shows that the specific energy consumed in drilling bolt holes is inversely proportional to the bite depth (i.e., penetration per drill revolution). Less specific energy at a reasonably high bite depth means less energy is wasted in the drilling process for producing heat, bit wear, and noise. Properly controlled drilling will not only maintain good drilling productivity, but also significantly reduce the sound power level, noise dosage, and the required drilling energy. Rational drilling control is implemented through properly chosen penetration and rotational rates according to the specific rock strength, drill bit, and steel. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT I would like to thank those who have contributed to the preparation and completion of this dissertation. First I would like to thank Dr. Yi. Luo for all of his support and guidance. Without his abundant help and invaluable assistance, this dissertation would not have been possible.

Development of a roof bolter drilling control process to reduce the generation of respirable dust

“…The noise dose data used in Fig. 3 are from a previous research project (Li 2015). As the plot demonstrates in Fig.…”