Institute of Transport and Automation Technology Research Publications
Automatic Material and Boundary Layer Detection During the Process of Mining on a Bucket Wheel Excavator

Automatic Material and Boundary Layer Detection During the Process of Mining on a Bucket Wheel Excavator

Categories Konferenz (reviewed)
Year 2011
Authors Mathiak, T.; Kesting, M.; Overmeyer, L.; Gau, V.
Published in 35th APCOM (Application of Computers and Operations Research in the Minerals Industry) Symposium, S. 735-741. University of Wollongong, New South Wales, Australia: The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy
Description

Economically efficient mining processes can be significantly assisted by the implementation of sensor technologies for the detection of materials and boundary layers between materials inside the stratum. These sensors are meant to facilitate the machinery operator and illustrate furthermore the prerequisites in assisting tools towards fully automated mining equipment. Therefore, project 'Sensory Identification of Material Type and Detection of the Interfaces' (SIMT) aims at the integration of ground penetrating radar (GPR) and geoelectric sensor technology by endowing with them a bucket of a bucket wheel excavator. For this reason, a sensor bucket was developed and tested in the Inden Mine of RWE Power AG. The feasibility of integration and deployment of such sensor technology has been proven effective for the conditions of open cast mining. The main focus of current research lies on developing algorithms to analyse the acquired measurement data from the sensors to automatically detect layers and materials. A computer network receives the GPR and geoelectric measurement data as well as the positioning data of the sensor bucket. The positioning data mainly consists of GPS and encoder information, which is merged with the sensor data by using the UTC time stamp. With the aid of consecutive processes the relevant information will be extracted and provided to the user. The aim of SIMT is to replace material identification, traditionally carried out by the operator, by implementing a continuous operating interpretation system in mining equipment based on GPR and geoelectric sensor technology, resulting in more detailed information regarding the working face during an excavation. This detailed information provides an opportunity for efficient planning and controlling of selective mining of natural deposits, such as the process of lignite mining.

ISBN 978-1-921522-51-2