A “condition following” feed system was released several years ago to positive feedback from US longwall operations.

“Our condition-following feed system acknowledges the fact that you do not always generate the same amount of dust in the mining process,” AKJ chemical sales vice president Jack Cranfill said.

“The harder the shearer/stage loader work the more dust you generate. Our feed system takes a reading from the power center on the amount of power being used and adjusts chemical application rates based on this reading.

“This makes sure you use enough chemical to assure results and reduces chemical costs to get the desired level of dust control.

The chemical is applied at the power center location which allows real time changes in product feed rates and avoids the problem of bacteria growth in the water lines from having chemical in stagnant water lines.

AKJ Industries have also recently released the solid surfactant product, Coal Soap #10 for use on longwall shields. The soap is designed to improve dust control and help keep water lines and spray tips cleaner.

AKJ Industries dust control products used on longwall mines throughout the US include their foam dust control product applied to stage loaders and a liquid blend of surfactants applied to the water going to shearers, shields and stage loader.

“All of our longwall customers use our products to stay in compliance with the dust standards of 2 mg/m3. In some cases the mines are operating under reduced standards and are able to meet these reduced standards using our products,” Cranfill said.

“This is accomplished without any bacteria problems encountered many times with products applied at the surface. Customers also report that maintenance is reduced on water lines, filters and spray tips.”