Skip directly to site content Skip directly to page options Skip directly to A-Z link Skip directly to A-Z link Skip directly to A-Z link


Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. CDC twenty four seven. Saving Lives, Protecting People
Search
            ×
                        Mining
                        Mining
                            NIOSH
                            All CDC
                    Submit
                For a full list of topics:A-Z Index
                Advanced Search
            Advanced Search


The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)





Mining Project: Engineering Noise Controls for Longwall Mining Systems
Keywords: Acoustics Hearing loss Longwall mining Noise Noise and vibration control
This page is archived for historical purposes and is no longer being maintained or updated.
Principal Investigator
Hugo E. Camargo -  Request informationStart Date
10/1/2009End Date
9/30/2015Objective
To develop durable noise controls that reduce the noise exposure of longwall mining system crews and facilitate the commercialization of the controls to make them available for all miners.Topic Area
Hearing Loss Prevention Overview
Research Summary

This project had four research aims, as follows:
Identified and ranked dominant noise sources on longwall mining systems, acquired operating data, collected laboratory data, and created computer modeling of noise controls.
Developed and evaluated noise controls in the laboratory, refined and re-evaluated modified noise controls using numerical modeling, and installed and evaluated actual noise controls in a working environment.
Performed a case study to assess performance and durability of noise controls.
Transferred research findings to industry and developed related marketing media.Approximately 50% of the coal mined in the US is extracted using longwall mining systems. Studies have shown that longwall crews in particular can be potentially overexposed, with sound levels as high as 105 dB(A). Such levels could lead to overexposure and potential hearing loss in as little as one hour.
This project focused on reducing hearing loss of miners working in longwall units. Engineering noise controls were developed to reduce the sound levels generated by longwall mining systems. A novel approach of this project was the use of modeling techniques to understand the vibration and noise radiation of longwall components. Prior to this project, researchers did not have the capability to develop and use numerical models for acoustic prediction in the development of noise controls for longwalls. Because a longwall may be over 1,000 feet long, it was impossible to test the complete systems in NIOSH laboratories. Instead, modeling was used to understand longwall noise sources and to evaluate possible controls.
Laboratory measurements were utilized to evaluate critical components and to validate models. An integral part of this research program involved working with industrial partners to assist in longwall modifications and to facilitate commercialization of the noise controls developed. Specifically, the industrial partners were the manufacturer of the cutting drums and a mine operator where the noise controls were installed for the production of an entire longwall panel. The effectiveness of these noise controls was evaluated in a laboratory setting and in an underground setting where the noise reduction in worker exposure was assessed.
The developed noise controls provided a reduction of approximately 3 dB in the sound pressure level at the operator location and a 61.9% reduction in the operator’s cumulative noise dose during an 8-hour shift.
Related Publications
H.E. Camargo, D.S. Yantek, and A.K. Smith, “Development of a validated finite element model of a longwall cutting drum,” Proceedings of InterNoise, New York (2012).
J. Yang, H.E. Camargo, and D.S. Yantek, “Sound Radiation Modeling and Correlation of a Longwall Cutting Drum,” Proceedings of NoiseCon, Denver, Colorado, USA (2013).
H.E. Camargo, G. Gwaltney, and L. Alcorn, “Development of an Instrumented Longwall Bit to Measure Coal Cutting Forces for Use in Developing Noise Controls,” Mining Engineering, 2015, Vol. 67, No. 5, pp. 57-62.
J. Yang, H.E. Camargo, and D.S. Yantek, “Sound Radiation Analysis of a Longwall Cutting Drum,” *ASME IMECE*, San Diego, CA, USA (2013).
J. Yang, H.E. Camargo, and D.S. Yantek, “Noise control concepts for a longwall cutting drum,” Proceedings of NOISE-CON 2014, Fort Lauderdale, FL, September 8-10, (2014).
H.E. Camargo, M. Li, and L.A. Alcorn, “Comparison of Numerical and Experimental Results of Noise Controls for a Longwall Shearer Drum,” Proceedings of InterNoise 2015, San Francisco, CA, Aug. 9-12, (2015).
H.E. Camargo, and L.A. Alcorn, “Evaluation of Noise Controls for Longwall Cutting Drums,” *Proceedings of NoiseCon 2016*, Providence, RI, June 13-15, (2016).
H.E. Camargo, A.S. Azman, and L A. Alcorn, “Development of Noise Controls for Longwall Shearer Cutting Drums,” Noise Control Engineering Journal (NCEJ), 64(5), September-October (2016).Related Patent
“Cutter Head for Longwall Shearer,” US 2016/0102549, April 14, 2016.



See Also
Application of Phased Array Technology for Identification of Low Frequency Noise Sources
A Comparison of Beamforming Processing Techniques for Low Frequency Noise Source Identification in Mining Equipment
Cross-Sectional Survey of Noise Exposure in the Mining Industry
Determining Underground Roof Bolting Machine Operators Noise Exposure Using Laboratory Results
Noise Control in Underground Metal Mining
Noise Exposure in Longwall Mining and Engineering Controls Research
Noise Source Identification on a Horizontal Vibrating Screen
A Technique for Estimating the Sound Power Level Radiated by Pneumatic Rock Drills and the Evaluation of a CSIR Prototype Rock Drill with Engineering Noise Controls
Underground Evaluation of Coated Flight Bars for a Continuous Mining Machine
Water Well Safety Bits: Health And Safety Information For The Water Well Industry
Page last reviewed: December 13, 2016
Page last updated: October 22, 2016
Content source: National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Mining Program
Facebook
        Twitter
        LinkedIn
        Syndicate Mining
        Site BrowserSafety and Health TopicsData & StatisticsMethodologyMine DisastersMSHA Data FilesMine & Mineworker ChartsTools & PublicationsTools You Can UsePublicationsNews & ArticlesResearch ProgramNORA Mining CouncilStrategic PlanMining Program, 2019-2023Miner Health Program, 2020-2030ProjectsContractsFunding OpportunitiesMining LinksAbout UsContact NIOSH MiningEmploymentFacilitiesHistoryVisitor Information Hearing Loss Prevention Overview
 NIOSH Homepage
 NIOSH A-Z
Workplace Safety & Health Topics
Publications and Products
Programs


About CDC
					Contact Us
					800-232-4636
 Facebook Twitter Instagram LinkedIn Youtube Pinterest Snapchat
 CONTACT CDC
				Contact Us
							Call 800-232-4636
							Email Us
			ABOUT CDC
				About CDC
							Jobs
							Funding
			POLICIES
				Accessibility
							External Links
							Privacy
							Policies
							No Fear Act
							FOIA
							OIG
							Nondiscrimination
							Vulnerability Disclosure Policy
			CONNECT WITH US
				Facebook
								Twitter
								Instagram
								LinkedIn
							Youtube
								Pinterest
								Snapchat
								Email
			LANGUAGES
				Español
							繁體中文
							Tiếng Việt
							한국어
							Tagalog
							Русский
							العربية
							Kreyòl Ayisyen
							Français
							Polski
							Português
							Italiano
							Deutsch
							日本語
							فارسی
							English


U.S. Department of Health & Human Services
			Accessibility
			External Links
			Privacy
			Policies
			No Fear Act
			FOIA
			Nondiscrimination
			OIG
			Vulnerability Disclosure Policy
			USA.gov


Exit Notification / Disclaimer Policy Close
 Links with this icon  indicate that you are leaving the CDC website. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) cannot attest to the accuracy of a non-federal website.
				Linking to a non-federal website does not constitute an endorsement by CDC or any of its employees of the sponsors or the information and products presented on the website.
				You will be subject to the destination website's privacy policy when you follow the link.
				CDC is not responsible for Section 508 compliance (accessibility) on other federal or private website. Website Disclaimers
 Cancel Continue