Outlet facility to pass coal flow to armored face conveyor

Abstract

The authors review the international experience in thick coal seam mining. Advantages and disadvantages of multi-slice and full-seam longwall mining technologies are compared. The low-efficiency multi-slice longwall mining is little used and is being replaced by the full-seam longwall top coal caving technology with undercut and with top coal disintegration under the physical effect of overburden pressure. In the recent decade, the longwall mining systems used in top coal caving have been given additional functions connected with control of coal extraction above and behind the powered roof support. The authors have examined the patent documentation and invention activity in the field of the LTCC methods and equipment in the top coal mining countries. This paper describes the revealed trends in engineering facilities capable to enhance efficiency of longwall top coal caving in mining of thick coal seams. Different type feeders are described, and recommendations on their application are given.