ARCHIVES HISTORIQUES
DELACOMMISSION
COLLECTION RELIEEDES
DOCUMENTS "COM"
COM(78)723
Vol.1978/0270

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Community andtheEuropean AtomicEnergyCommunity (OJL43,15.2.1983, p.1),as
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COMMISSION OFTHEEUROPEAN COMMUNITIES
COM(78)723 final
Brussels-21December1978
MEMORANDUM
CONCERNING ACOMMUNITY COALRESEARCH PROGRAMME INTHEFIELDOF
MININGENGINEERING WITHAVIEWTOOBTAINING FINANCIAL AIDUNDER
THETERMSOFARTICLE55PARA.2c)OFTHEE.C.S.C. TREATY
■MEMORANDUM
CONCERNING .ACOMMUNITY COALRESEARCH PROGRAMME INTHEFIELDOF
PRODUCTBENEFICIATION WITHAVIEWTOOBTAINING FINANCIAL AID
UNDERTHETERMSOFARTICLE55PARA.2c)OFTHEE.C.S.C. TREATY
T'*" ;\y
C0M(78)723final.

XVI1/444/78–EH"
COMMI33IQIT
of *
EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES
E*C•S*C•
'TmJMEMORANDA
TheCommission oftheEuropean Communities placesthehighest
valueoncoalresearch sincetheresultsofthelattercontribute
towardsthemaintenance oftheeconomyofthecoalindustry and
theimprovement oftheworkingenvironment andsafetyinmines.
TheCommission hasmadeitclearthatthisisincluded inits
energypolicyinitsMedium-tern;Guidelines forCoal(1975"~1985 )
andhasinsisted ontheimportance ofCorrjnunity research .Ithas
doneitsutmost,moreover 2despiteconsiderable difficulties ,to
providethenecessary fundsfromtheE.C.S.G *budget.
Themaintenance ofCommunity coalproduction atthe1973level,i.e.,
250milliontee,increased productivity -thestabilisation ofccsts p
improved productupgrading andtheimprovement oftheworkingenviron­
mentcontinuetocomprisethemainobjectives oftHecoalindustry
and,consequently ,ofcoalresearch «
Onemeans,amongothers,ofachieving theseobjectives istointensify
coalresearch attheCommunity level.TheCommission ,awareofthese
problems ,putitsactionsintoconcrete formbyproviding ,for1975
1976,1977and1978,about70millionE.U.A.foraidtocoalresearch
projects .
For1979»"theCommission hasreceived aseriesofrequests forfinancial
aidunderthetermsofitsMedium-term CoalResearch AidProgramme
(1975-0-980)andArticle55§2c)oftheE.C.S.C.Treaty.Theseproposals
havebeenstudied andexamined bytheservices oftheCommission in
collaboration v;iththeExperts' Committees andtheCoalResearch
Committee (CRC)withaviewtoconcentrating theE.C.S.C'sfinancial
effortsonthoseprojectsthatcorrespond mostcloselytothecriteria
oftheMedium-Term CoalReseiarch AidProgramme (1975-1980 )•""'*

Taedraftselection ...containiiug 37r~scrriJ\pro.-tec4.*«wi
reriTf .-sentirgatotal •ixpenditv -"-»:•,?.•>:?©-chs'i ..ill1onFJk->,
received approvalaftersxamxnatiOii bythoCoalResearchCommittee
'Thetotalaid.necessary tocarryoutthisresearch amountsto
17millionE.U.A.,including thecostofdissemination of
information .
•'
Twomemoranda corresponding totheprojects underconsideration
have "beendrafted,onerelating tominingengineering ,.for -which
aidof9986700E.U.A.isenvisaged ,theotherrelatingto
programmes oncoalpreparation andupgrading ,forwhich6929400E.U»
ofaidisforeseen .
Asumof83900E.U.A.isenvisaged tocoverthecostsofdis­
semination ofinformation andrelatedexpenses .

XVI1/445/78-EN -
COMMISSION
OFTHE
EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES
E»C.S.C.
MEMORANDUM
CONCERNING ACOMMUNITY COALRESEARCH PROGRAMME INTHEFIELDOF
MINING ENGINEERING WITHAVIEWTOOBTAINING FINANCIAL AIDUNDERTHE
TERMSOFARTICLE55§2c)OFTHEE,CoS~C.TREAT?
(Budgetary year1979)
1.General remarks
Inthecontextoftheobjectives oftheCommunity'senergy
policy,coalisrequired toplayanimportant partinthe
futurestructure oftheenergymarket.
Anincreased researcheffortisparticularly necessary inthe
fieldofminingengineering becausethetransfer ofresearch
resultsintopractice requ5.res longperiod?oftime,particularly ,
forexample,intheplanningj construction anddevelopment of
newmines.Themainaimofminingresearchistolay,now,the
foundations forthemodemminesofthefuture.
Onthesegrounds ,theConmission proposes theapproval ofa
Community research programme inthefieldofiv.inir.gengineering ,
.-.hichwillbecarriedoutinolooec.'-c.tionbythefollow:ng
institutions andundertakings ;

Χνΐΐ/445/7δ~ΕΝ
-TneNational Goal Bo&rtf ,London (JSTCB)
Ta*.Centre d'Et^e ^etHscbf-w iiw.k'i'Wî ;,
deSi-ance ,Parie '(CESCUlda )
•ThtsInstitutNational de« Ix-t;x«u5*tiv#»s ,Li?,-&e(IIST^X ),
,andforwhich financial aidhasbeen requested tuader theteras of
jArticle 55§2c)oftheE.CoS^C .Treaty .
"Aims a.nd objec tives ofthe i>rGov'sur.mE
Therequirements that arnst hefulfilled inthefield ofmining
engineering inorder toimprove thefut?are prospect <3forcoal can "be
summarised under afewmain headings .
Working environment andenvironmental protection
Here ,thefirst requirement istoheable tooffer safe andattractive
working surroundings totnelabour force :that will berequired inthe
future -Forthis sitisnecessary
-constantly boimprove mine safety ,particularly with regard tothe
control offiredamp androok .pressure under conditions that are
changing andarelikely tobecome worse ,and
-tomake thesurroundings inworking places more tolerably by,among
oi/hartnings ,taking mea ,sures toimprove theaine climate ,bymeans
ofnewinstallations tospeed upraaaridirg andtomake itsafer
andmore comfortable ,byimproved ergononiio design ofmachinery for
useunderground ,etc .
Techniques
Indevelopment work itisnecessary ,ononehand ,todevelop heading
machines that canbeused asuniversally aspossible inever-changing -
conditions (adjacent rocks Broadway length ,cross–e?ection,etc.)and,
ontheother hand toadapt teehniqr.es tonewtypes ofcatting forcoal
winning ,e.g*,toadvance sndface–line headings *
inthefield ofcoalwinning available tecbniqu.es must undergo constant
further development sothat solutions found canbegenerally applied ,
thus giving rise toanimproved utilization ofreserves *Inthis
connection }thenotyetsatisfactorily solved proble-ai offace/roadway
intersections deserves particular attention .ν -»

-3-XVII/445/78-EN
Ir.thefieldofout"byeservices.meansofconveying andtransport
arerequiredthatcar.copewithconstantly increasing quantities
perfaceandcan"feeadaptedtotheeverincreasing distances
materialquantities andsize,andcan,atthesametide,"beused
formanriding .
Mining_economics_and_market requirements
Promtheeconomicpcint-ofviewallresearchprojectsaust,cfcourse,
contribute towardsimproving theresaltsofminingoperations and
thustomaintaining orimproving thecompetitivity oftheCom/unity's
coalindustry .
Theproposed newresearch programme takestheabove-mentioned
requirements intoaccountandconcentrates onfourmainfieldsinthe
following sub-programme ss
–Development work
–Methanestudies,climatic problems ,rockpressure andsupports
–Methodsofworkingandtechniques ofcoalgetting
-Outbyeservices underground
III.Programme ofworkenvisaged
Thenewresearch programme consists offoursub-programme scontaining
20projects whicharepresented individually below.Theoverall
programme willbecarriedoutwithclosecollaboration betweenthe
researchinstitutions andtheCommunity'scoalmines.
Programme "Development wcrk"
Thisprogramme comprises fourprojects andisconcerned ononehand
withthesystematic furtherdevelopment andinstallation ofheading
machines and,ontheotherhandwiththedevelopment ofamachine
fordrivegeaheadofthecoalface.
1.Planning e-ndmonitoringoftunnellingmachinetrialsfNC?')
Theaimoftheproj^ci J.ctocarryout-cai_c_-V.tivetestson–ariov.3
typesoffull-face tunnelling machines and,onthebasiscfthe
results,todeveloptheoptimumsolutionforinstallation in
newmines.
/
Totalcost:'h315300
<;

-4- XVn/445/'73-Eîî
Mechanisedroadwayjirivage(IMTIIX)
Itisplannedto4«vflop :furtl>«»T »«,prototype nw.o?.xirafoxful]y '
nsechs-iJ .jfcddri^a.^<*oa&T,.-xyo ■■hf-.tdoft"v.-..v""~.^e(,?&tc'rov-ivv
intersection )inconjugation wit"..9.!»eoh^iv?ad ;poweredroof'support•
Totalcosts10000000FB
Drivages;development ■,inthecontextofgeomechan ics,oftool3
forbreakingrock{CERCHAjiJ ""*
Itisintendedtodevelopnewtoolsforrook "breakingthatwill
meetincreasing requirements ,e.g.
-newdesignsforexistingtools
–mullers
-highpressixre waterjets
Totalcost13170000FF
Activateddrilling systems(StBV)
Theprerequisites will "bedetermined fortheactivation ofdrilling
toolsfortheconstruction ofsmaller,moremotileheadingmachines
thatcanalso "beusedeconomically inshortroadways.
Totalcost:1500000DM
Programme "Methanestudies ,climatic problems ,rockpressure andsupports
Thisprogramme consists ofsixprojects anddealswith.thenatural
factorswithwhichundergroimd operations havstocontend.Thework
envisaged isbasedpartlyontheresultsofearlierresearch andshould
contribute towardsthesolution oftechnical andsafetyproblems
resulting fromthemostrecentdevelopments .
Firedampprediction andcontrol (KGB)
Furtherdevelopment andrefinement oftechniques forpredicting

-5-XVII/445/78-EÏT
.firedamp emission inrelation togeological andoperating conditions
asabasis foreffective control ofemission and ,consequently ,
improved underground safety .
Total costs h475 100
6.Improvement ofthemanagement andcontrol offiredamp (CERC-H&R )
This project is -aimed atamore exact prediction ofgasemission ,
faster application oftheresulting data aridthepre-degasification
ofde~stresaed Zones .These developments areexpected tolead to
improved control offiredamp .
Total costs 3000 000
7»Controlled recirculation ofairinmine workings (FCB/Univ .ofNottingham )
Thepurpose oftheproject istoinvestigate thebasic principles
andthelimitations ofairrecirculation systems controlled "bybooster
fans .This should lead toeffective ventilation andreduced energy
costs ,particularly indeep andwidely-extended workings .
Total cost :h70300
8.Prediction ofstrata stability from instrumentation andmodelling
data (NCB/Univ .Cardi ff)
The aim oftheproject isthedetermination oftherelationships
between theparameters influencing strata movement anddeformation ,
particularly atfaces andinroadways ,andthedevelopment ofnew
measuring devices andtechniques .
Total costs b95100 •
9.Rational planning ofworkings using strata control data (CERCHAR )
Theaim oftheresearch istodevelop more complete andeffective
models anamethods ofsimulation giving anapproach totheproblems
ofstrata contz'ol (operations !research ,business games ,etc.)
Themethods ofresearch proposed fall -within the fields of .numerical
andhybrid calculation methods lorthe inpx -o-^ment ofpredictive
models ,andofsimulation andoptimisation techniques .
Total costs 4185000FF
10.System forstrata control (StBV )
Inconnection with asystem forstrata control that istobedeveloped ,

-6-XVII/445/78-EK
thefirstemphasiswillbeon"boltingand.theoptimisation of
supportsitfaceends®T'.J.swillresulti,ufawevTvsble effects
onbothmimsafaty vn.listi-a-be;'opera*ioi*
Totalcost:5850000DM
11.Measurement technology fortheassessmentofrockbehaviour (StBV)
Theaimsoftheprojectaretheearlydetection ofweakpointsin
mineworkings andtheinvestigation oftheirca.uses.Favcurabl e
repercussions onmins-andworkingsafetyareanticipated#
Totalcosts2000000DM
12.Investigation ofcontrolofrock "burstsandadaptation ofsupports (CERCHAR)
Theaimoftheresearch istounderstand themechanism offormation
.ofrockburstsinordertospecifydangerfactors,todevelopmeans
ofdetecting dangerous zonesandtodefinemethodsofcontrolthat
willenablecoalextraction tob&carriedoutinsafety.
Totalcosts2062500PT
Programme "Methodsofworkingandtechniques ofcoalgetting"sssss£sss:sss2sa;ses.s:sss3asss«8Bstsei:s3ssssussKx;ss;r7S5£?r%t»sssssBsa»sn9:93RSsrs%.-*Tr'3Bs&!;s7snasrss
Theprogramme contains fiveprojects aimedatfurtherdevelopment or
optimisation ofexistingtechniques ,thesolutionofproblemsatface/raodway
intersections ,andatimproved planning ofextraction *..
13.Integrated systemforautomatic controloffa.cealignment andadvance (NCB)
Theaimistoachieveasystemoffullyautomatic monitoring and
controloffacealignment aadsupportadvance,including adeviceto
alignthefaceconveyorlaterally -Thiswilllead,toimproved
reliability offace-equipment ,thepossibility ofincreasing thedepth
ofcut,andavoidance oftheneedtolengthen orshortentheface®
Totalcostsfc2336200
14®Optimisation ofcoalwimiingtechniques anddevelopment ofnew
equipmentII(STBV)
Thisproposal,comprising threesub-project *?ispartoftheUCB/StBV
Community project"Development ofcontrolandiconitoring systems
forunderground workings".

-7-XVII/445/7Ô-EN
Systematic furtherdevelopment and.optimisation isplannedfor:
–ploughing (optimisation ofthetechnique ?extensionoftherange
ofapplication ,increaseofthesurfacecutdaily)
–shearing (increaseofthespecificwinningrate,reductionof
finesanddustformation ,improvedworkingsafety)
–operational "behaviour offaceequipment (increasedlifeofchain
conveyors andploughs,reduction infrequency of"breakdowns ,
increased safety "byavoidance ofdynamicstresses )»
Totalcost:2500000DM
15.Development offaceendmachines (StBV)
Itisplannedtodevelopamachinethatwillmakeitpossibletocut
faceendsandroadwayprofilesinasingleoperation inadvancing
roadways.Thiswillgiveamajorsimplification inoperations inthe
areaofface/roadwayintersections (andinploughfaces)anda
corresponding improvement inunderground safety.
Totalcost:3000000DM
16.Planning andoperations inmininginthepresence ofgeological
disturbances (StBV)
Theaimistoavoidbreakdowns inminingandtransport ,toachieve
betterutilization ofdepositE ,toavoidthehighcostofgoinground
disturbances ,andtoachievesaferoperation byconsideration of
geological disturbances bothintheplanning ofworkings andbythe
development ofmethodsforthetechnology ,organisational andgeological
data.
Totalcosts1020000DM
17•Development ofintegrated face/roadwaycorv-^'Qrs(StBV)
Byusingfaceconveyors withcux~^ec~i~nsitshouldbepossibleto
simplifyoperations intheofthef:a-ze/ro.ad.w3~intersection ,
toimprovesafetyEJidtorefr.cedustfovv.voio .-*£.+■vesametime,
economicadvantages sre+c-13expectedasaresultoftheelimination

-8- XVI1/445/7Ô-EN
ofatransfer point andacoi?-reyor ,the siraplifin«.+.'i.r'n ofroadway
operations -andrat *cn».l:'.S0+-i'">n i.jeloping ?,-•?ms.
Total cost :1790 000PK
Programme "Outbye services underground "·»£»ί·4-.ώΒ3Β«»ΜΙ*β».ΜαΐυΛ4·.Λ.β5ΪΙίβ24.<Λ1·»·ίίβΛ5Λ!ΚΛΙί:!ϊ?:Γ !ΐΐίΓ3.7ί,Τβ3ΕηΒ«^ϊ
^heprogramme .consists ofJhree projects concerned ,ononehand.with
4hefurther automation ofunderground conveying ;8Jidfontheother hand ,
with the use oftrackless transport .
18.Monitoring ofcoaltransport systems (NCB)
New transducers andmonitoring devices forvarious parameters will be
developed with aview toimproving themonitoring oftransport systems
inorder /;toachieve increased reliability andwear-free operation .At
; thesame time ,trials will becarried outonthese devices under a
wide range ofconditions 'using anewtest rig .
Total costs L368400
2,9*Application oftrackless vehicles forunderground transportation (NCB )
b Itisplanned toimprove underground transport bytesting various
types oftrackless vehicles forcarrying both menandmaterials ,and
also load-haAil-dump vehicles forworking areas ,Both diesel and
battery-driven vehicles will batested *
Total costs fe790 300
20»Mine roadway floor stabilisation (NCB)
Continuation ofcurrent work onprocesses andtechniques forthe
stabilisation ofmine roadway floors tofacilitate theintroduction
,offree-steered vehicles andthus toimprove transport .
Total costï h4*0 200
Estimated cost anddurati onjjftheResearch worK
Thetotal cost foreseen fortheprogramme is16644500E.U.A. *
The cost andduration oftheindividual projects ar?given inthefollowing
-table .
*Rates ofconversion from national currencies arethose of24»10.1978

-9- XVII/445/18-EN
No. Project IProposerDuration
(years)Totalcost|
E.U.A.
DEVELOPMENT WORK
1.Planning andmonitoring oftunnelling
machinetrialsNCB |
i3 460000
2.Mechanised roaawaydrxvage II7IEX1
3 I253500
3.Drivagess development ,inthecontext
ofgeomechanicSj oftoolsfor
breaking rockCESCRàaι
3 549000
4.Activatsd drilling systems StBV. 3
I599500
I Total 1862000
METHANESTUDIES yCLIMATIC PROBLEMS .
ROCKPRESSURE AM)SUPPORTS
5-Firedamp prediction andcontrolI
NCB I3 692500
6.Improvement ofthemanagement and
controloffiredampCERCHAR 3 519500
7.Controlled recirculation ofair
inmineworkingsNCB/Univ.of
Eottingham3 102500
8.Prediction ofstratastability from
instrumentation andmodelling dataNCB/Univ.of
Cardiff3 139000
9-Rational planning ofworxlngs usizjgJ
stratacontrol dataCERCHAR 3 725000
10.Systemforstratacontrol StBV 3 2337000
11.Measurement technology forthe
assessment ofrock "behaviourStBV 3 799000
12.Investigation ofcontrolofrock
burst3andadaptation ofsupportsCERCHAR 3
i.__._j357500
i
Totalai'UPm'-vnr* .Tr~T–-•_I
5672000

ilO-XVIl/445/78-EN
iVO .
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.Project•r-------
jDua"s+.ion Total oopt
"* " (years ) S,U,A .
METHODS OFWORKING ,'-A\DTEOriNi^OjSd0?COALGETTING"' " –
Integrated system forautomatic
control offace alignment andadvance
Optimisation ofcoal wiftaing techniques
anddevelopment ofnewequipment II
Development offace endmachines
Planning andoperations inmining in
thepresence ofgeological disturbances
Development ofintegrated face/ro&dway
conveyers
Total
:*awr« (w..-.'»nswi. -«a,T,tr«rowivi .ai'arn.-r'r -r.~.-,
OUTBYE SERVICES DKDESGROUfTD
Monitoring ofcoal transport systems
Application oftrackless vehicles for
underground transportation
Mine roadway floor stabilisation
Total3SCB
StBV
StBV
StBV
StBV
5GB
îïCB
,¥CBA
3
3
3
3
Grand Total3405000
999oco
1318500
407 500
679000
6809000
537000
1152OCO
612 SOO
2301500
16644500
©percussions ofthe new nroexaromei
Themos-t important repercussi onstobeexpected frorr thenevprcgr-a^ime may
"besummarised asfollows ;
Mine safety andworkin genvironro ^nt
Themost important result ofthework onfiredamp iseurpecced tob©the
development ofa.comprehensive ,universally valid sno&el fortheprediction
ofmethane release (Projects 56ja&6)' Th®,advantages for i?sir>.e safety and
thewhole range ofoperations ereobvious®

-11- XVII/445/78-EN
Inthe field ofcontrol ofthemine climate ,therecirculation of
airisexpected tolead totechnical andclimatic advantages
(Project 7)•
Theresearch onstrata control (Projects 8to12)will have ,onone
hand ,adirect effect onmine safety intheform oftetter control
oftheroof ortheavoidance ofrock "bursts and ,ontheother hand ,
indirect consequences stemming from improved coal winning techniques
thechoice ofoptimum supports .
The conditions inworking places should "befavourably influenced
bythebetter arrangement oftools andmachines (e»g .,Projects 3and4),
bytheintroduction ofthemost up-to-date methods forplanning and
controlling operations (Projects 16and18)andbytheimprovement
ofconveying andtransport installations (Projects 19aiid20).
Techm crues
Inconnection with development work itcanbeexpected that the
•economic andtechnical prerequisites forthewider introduction of
full-face tunnelling machines andboom rippers ,will beestablished .
The consequent abandonment ofshotfiring will also lead toimproved
stability ofroadways ,since thefracturing ofsurrounding rocks by
theuseofexplosives will beeliminated (Projects 1to4)•
■Inthe field ofcoal winning the work onautomatic face control
(Project 13)inparticular andontheoptimisation oftechniques (Eo.14)
should lead tobetter results andtointerruption-free operation .
This isalso thecase fordevelopments concerning face/roadway inter­
sections (Projects 15and17)»which have great significance for
mine safety . .
Inrelation tomethods ofconveying and transport ,trouble-free •
operations downstream oftheface andimproved supply toworking points
areexpected (Project 10)•Inthelong terra ,particular improvements
areanticipated from theapplication ofdiesel vehicles (Projects 19s-nd20)»
Organisation ofoperation s
Theapplication ofmodern techniques fc^monitoring andcontro lwill
lead ,especially inthearea of 'outbyeoperational totharational

-12- XVII/445/78-QÎ .
andtrouble –free conduct ofoperations (Project 1^).
•Inaddition ,theintensive ©valuation dat-t ,*n.X?laythe
foundations forplacing which .*.iilenpl3 *»•jgvoto*
underground operations tobecontrolled (Project 16)J
VI".Research results
TheE.C.S.C. Experts' Oonursittees that arealready concerned with
research work inthevarious fields ofthenewprogramme will
also supervise andkeep under review theresearch work that
forms thesubject oftherequests .
Theagreements tobeconcluded with thebenficiaries oftheaid
will define therights andobligations ofthecontracting parties .
They will bedesigned primarily toensure that theresearch results
will bemade available to8,11concerned intheCommunity ,in
accordance with Art .55oftheE.C.S.C. Treaty .
VII .Gonclusi ons
Inview oftheimportance andinterest oftheproposed research
programme forthetechnology ,thesafety ,theworking environment
andtheeconomy ofsurface -andunderground operations inthe
Community 'scoal mining industry ,theprovision offinancial aid
bytheE.CoS«-C »fortheexecution oftheindividual projects is
judged tobeboth appropriate andjustified .
Fortheexecution oftheresearch ,programme whose total' cost is
lS644500E»U®A® ,theCommission proposes togrant aidtotalling
99Q6700E.U.A® tocover itsshare oftheresearch costs .
Distribution ofaid
CEBGHAR (France ) 1290600 E.U.A.
BTIEX (Belgium ) ,152100 E.U.A.
NCB (United Kingdom ) 4260300 E,tJ.A.
StBV (Germany ) 4283700 E.U.A.

X7II/446/78-EN
COMMISSIOIT
OPTHE
EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES
E*C•S«C•
MEMORANDUM
CONCERNING ACOKMUKITT COALRESEARCH FROGRAMME INTHEFIELDOP
PRODUCT 3ENSFICIATI0N WITHAVIEWTOOBTAINING FINANCIAL AIDUNDER
TEETERiMSOPARTICLE55§2c)OPTHEE.C.S.C. TREATY
(Budgetary year1979)

-2-XVTI/446/78-EN
General remarks
1sustained ,andcoordinated researcheffortisrequiredtcensure
thattheCommunity aoalindustry caneohieveitsaims.Thiseffort
must "bedirected ,fiystaiidforemost ,towards '••.i>rc*ingth«economy
andefficiency ofco&Jminingoperations eud,inpa-.-ticv.?.ar, towards
theimprovement oftheworkingenvironment andsafetyinmines.Secondly,
inthefieldofproductbeneficiation ,itmust "beaimedatensuring an
adequate marketforcoallayimproving itsutilization intraditional
applications and"bydeveloping newusesandnewproducts.
Inthefieldofcoalpreparation ,research must "bedirected towards
enablingtheminingindustrytokeepdowntreatment eostsandtocontinue,
inthefaceofchanging conditions ,tomeettherequirements ofconsumers-
notablytheelectricity generation andsteelindustries -withregard
tocoalquality.
Boththecoalandsteelindustries canbenefit fromresearch oncoking
technology whichwillleadto-improvements incokequality (andhence
toimprovedblastfurnaceperformance )aswellastocostsavingsthrough
themoreefficient operation ofcokeovens,theimprovement ofcarbonisation
by-products andthe.development ofnewtechniques thatwillmakeit
possibletomanufacture metallurgical cokefromawiderrangeofcheaper
coals-Inaddition ,totheseimmediate advantages farthesteelindustry ,
suchresearch willalsoleadtobetterutilization oftheCommunity' s
cokingcoalreserves ••Forcoking,asforallothermethodsofcoal
processing andutilization ,consideration ofpollution problems formsa
necessary elementofanyresearch programme .
Inthegeneralareaofcoalbeneficiation ,amajoraimofCommunity
researchistoimprovetheutilization ofreserves ofbothligniteand
hardcoalbydeveloping technologies fortheirconversion intohigh-
valuegaseous,liquidand.solidproductso Atthesametime,attention
mustbedirected towardsthedirectutilization ortheconversion into
usefulmaterials ofthewasteproductsofcoalmininginordertorelieve
theindustryofaphysical andfinancial burdenandtosolvetheenvironmental
problemsarisingfromthedumpingof.colliery spoil.

-%-XVII/446/78-EN
Asimported energypricescontinue toriseitwill "become
attractive toextractenergyfromcolliery spoilandother
low-grade solidresidues saidresearch intothecombustion of
suchmaterials istherefore ofinterest .
OnthesegroxindstheCommission proposes theapproval ofa
Community research programme inthefieldofproductbeneficiation
forwhichfinancial aidimderthetermsofArticle55§2c)ofthe
S.C.S.Co Treatyhasbeenrequested ,andwhichwill "becarriedout
inclosecooperation "bythefollowing institutions andundertakings ;
-TheBritishCarbonization ResearchAssociation ,Chesterfield (BCRA)
-TheCentred'EtudesetRecherches desCharbonnages deFrance,Paris
(CERCHAE)
-TheDeutscheBraunkohlen -Industrie-Verein,Cologne(DEBBIV)
-Hoogovens IJmuiden BV,IJmuiden
-TheKokereigesellschaft Saarm'bH,Saarbrücken (KöSaar)
-TheNational CoalBoard,London(NCB)
-Snamprogetti S.p.A»,Milan
-TheSteinkohlenbergbauverein ,Essen(StBV)
-TheUniversity ofKewcastle uponTyne
Theprojectsforwhichaidisrequested formthreesab-programme s
ofresearch inthefieldsofmechanical coalpreparation ,coking
andbriquettingofcoal,andnewchemical andphysical processes and
products fromcoalwhicharealogicalextension ofearlier Community
programmes "butwhichalsoinclude newelements.Theallocation of
taskswithintheprogramme takesaccountofthefacilities andexpertise
existinginthevarious Community countries ,andaclosecollaboration
betweenresearch workers andcoalproducers isassured.
Aimsandobjectives ofthe •progranune
Theresearchprojects inthefieldofproductbeneficiation forwhich
aidisrequested arerelatedtothreemaintopics,andthusform
threeprogrammes :
-mechanical coalpreparation
-thecokingandbriquetting ofcoal,and
-newchemical andphysical processes andproducts fromcoal

-4-XVII/446/78-EN
Asaresult ofdevelopments inmining t'ichnology andemphasis
onthesuppression ofdust inmines ;rt».w ccrte-i.ns increasing
quantities offiues and ws-ter .X'ewatering o."thec^al toinset
therequirements ofconsumers isconsequently becoming more
difficult ,andtheprogramme cnmechanical coal preparation includes
aproject aimed atalleviating this problem ,Theprogramme is
completed "byaproject inwhich developments in'theautomation
andcomputer control ofcoal preparation plants ,already supported
"bytheE.C.S«C »,will becontinued andextended with theaimof
improving theperformance ofsuch plants andreducing ;thecosts of
coal preparation .
Inthefield of£°]£ittg_and_bri2uetting_of coalxthegeneral aims of
Community research aretoincrease theproductivity andprofitability
ofcoke ovens ,towiden therange ofcoals that canbeused tomake
metallurgical coke while ,.atthe same time ,maintaining oreven
improving thequality oftheproduct ,aridtosolve theproblems of
pollution associated with coking plants .These aims arecovered
bythenewresearch programme inthis field .
There isagrowing interest ,onboth economic andenvironmental
grounds ,inthetransport ofsolid materials bypipeline andthe
programme includes astudy oftheapplication ofthetechnique to
thetransport ofcoking coal .
Metallurgical coke issubjected toincreasingly severe conditions
inlarge ,modern blast furnaces .Importance is,therefore ,attached
tostudies aimed atobtaining abetter knowledge oftheEechanisms
offormation ofcoke andofits structure andproperties ,since it
isthrough such knowledge that theaimofimproving coke quality
canbeachieved .Twoprojects onthi3 topic areincluded ,both of
which areextensions ofsuccessful Community research .

-5-XVII/446/78-EN
Intheimportant field ofpollution control ,theprogramme
contains aproject aimed atimproving thepurification ofliquid
effluents andreducing treatment costs .
Work ontheoptimisation oftheyield oftars andother liquid
carbonization by-products isincluded since these materials have
ahigh andincreasing value asasource oforganic chemicals and
canthus make asignificant contribution tothe economy ofthe
coking process®
Theprogramme also contains projects onthe improved control of
thetemperature incoke oven batteries and ofthecombustion
conditions intheheating flues .These studies areexpected tolead
toimproved fuel economy ,toimproved product quality andoutput ,
andtoanincrease intheuseful life oftheexpensive refractories
used incoke oven construction .
Community aidhasbeen given toresearch into the use ofcoal charge
preheating asameans ofincreasing coke oven throughput andwidening
therange ofcoals that canbecarbonized .Itisnowplanned ,in
twocoordinated projects ,touse thetechnique towiden the coal range
still further by,inone case ,combining preheating with theaddition
ofbinders tothecoal and ,intheother ,byalso applying stamp
charging .
Theuse ofthin–walled ovens isunder investigation asameans of
increasing throughput andachieving improved fuel economy .Inthis
connection ,itisintended toextend studies ofthe separation of
the coke oven gasinto twofractions inorder toobtain gases of
increased usefulness and value .
Lignite represents avaluable indigenous source ofenergy andraw
materials fortheCommunity and itsbasic chemical andphysical
properties arecurrently being investigated 'with reference toa
variety ofuses ,-inan®.,CoS*G <»research project .Anextension of

-6-XVII/446/78-EN
thisp.rojoctisincludedintheresearch programme onnewchemical
e.ndphyaioal process#"1!»r.dproducts fir^n AlaoIncludedin
V**■*W «ra «wmm«m(M *m-#»•'*•m>*•»» *mr-»
tneprogramme isaprojectwhichfollows onfromcurrentandearlier
studiesofthemanufacture ofliquidproducts "bysolventextraction
andhydrogenat ion.Theaimofthisworkistoproducebothoils
andspecific organicchemicals fromcoal.
Theremainder oftheprogramme dealswiththetreatment anduseof
wasteproducts fromthecoalindustry.Theaimoftheresearch
projects ,whicharepartlydevelopments ofearlierwork,istofind
outletsforminewastewhichwouldotherwise represent aconsiderable
burdentotheminingindustry.Oneprojectisconcerned withthe
heattreatment ofminestone,usingtheresidual coalcontentasa
sourceofenergy,toproducesynthetic aggregates ,foamedslag,and
mineralfibres,allofwhichcouldhaveahighcommercial value,
Asecondinvestigation dealswithlarge-scale usesforminewaste
inarangeofcivilengineering applications .Afinalstudyis
concerned withtheapplication offluidised bedcombustion tothe
burningoflow–grade materials suchasminewasteandthesolid
residues fromcoalprocessing (e.g.,gasification andliquefaction )
inordertorecoverthemaximumpossible amountofenergy.
III.Programme ofworkenvisaged
Theproposed ,research programme inthefieldofproducebeneficiation
canbesummarised asfollows ;
4
Programme "Mechanical CoalPreparation "aassssssstsscsssssjsssnsssc^srsrstsssisssss^isssscaB&ssssisssffSKssBS
1.Im£roved_de wateringof_fines_from preparation £lants_(StBV )
Development andimprovement ofarangeofmachines andprocesses
forthemechanical dewatering ofprepared coalfinesinorder
toproducecoking–and powerstationcoaloftherequiredmoisture
content,despitechangesinthequalityofrun-of™mine coal
(increasing finesandwatercontent)
Totalcostî 1800000DM
/

-7-XVII/446/78-EN
2.Theapplication of_micro£rocessors_and_minicom£uters tocoal
preparation giantcontrol(NCB)
Fartherdevelopment ofstudiesontheautomation and'computer
controlofcoalpreparation plantsinordertoevaluatecosts,
performance ,etc.ofnewly-installed computer-based andmicroprocessor
systems.
Totalcostsh1260200
Programme "CokingandBricruet.tingofCoal"assssissussBscstessssiaBtBSsasRssBKsauKesiRsseaassa
3.Pigelinetransport ofcokingcoal(Snamprogetti )
Studyofmechanisms causingdeterioration ofcokingcoalinpipeline
transport ,andofrelationships betweenflowconditions andproperty
changes.Investigation ofwaysofpreventing deterioration of
coalquality.
Totalcost;140500000Lit.
4.Fundamental studies of_the_f0rmat1on_j_structure andreactivity_of
metallurgical cokesasrelatedtoblastfurnaceoperation (University
ofNewcastle )
Studyofthemechanisms offormation andgasification ofmetallurgical
coke,andofcokestructure inrelationship tohigh-temperature
strength andresistance tobreakage .Theaimoftheresearchisto
correlate structure withotherproperties inordertoobtainbetter
understanding ofthecokingprocess.
Totalcost:h118000
5.Studiesofthefactorscontrolling theformation anddevelopment_cf
theporousstructure ofcoke(?>CFA)
Studyoftherelationshipbetwee-ucoalchargeproperties ,carbonizing
conditions *zsd♦.hedsrselopsisnt oftheporousstructure ofcolcawith-a
viewtocontrolling andimproving theindustrially significant
physical properties ofmetallurgical coke.
Totalcost;-310

XVII/446/7B-M
-8-
6.Treatment of_condensates and_washing waterincokingplants(StBV)
Improved removalorrecovery ofharmfulorganic ar>.&inorganic materials
(Phenol,ammonia,hydrogensulphide,etc.)trcmcoksoveneffTc'Tvfcto
reducetreatment costsandwatercon~i<jiiption andtJminimise thepollution
ofrivers..Theeventual aimistoenableacokingplanttooperate
withoutproducing licruideffluent .
Totalcost:1760-000 DM
I.An_investigation_of thefactorsaffecting thecomposition andyields
oftarandbenzoleproducedbyhigh-temperature carbonization of~coal(BCRA)
Investigation oftheeffectofparameters ofthecarbonization process on
thecomposition andyieldsoftarandbenzolewiththeaimofoptimising
theprocessofcarbonization withrespecttotheyieldofproducts of
maximum commercial value.
Totalcostsh56310
6.,Development ofsystematic controlsforthethermalregulation ofbatteries
andtheproduction_ofcoke_(CEHCHARj
Determination ofrepresentative temperatures that -canbeusedforautomatic
control ofthermal conditions incokeovenbatteries .
Totalcost:3278000FF
9.Continuous_analysis ofcokeovenwastegasesinordertoreducetheheatlossespertonofcoke(Hoogovens )
Continuous monitoring ofwastegascomposition tofacilitate improved
controlofcokeovenbatteries ,andthustoincreasetheirthermalefficiency
byminimising theamountofheatlostinthewastegases.
Totalcost:484425Hfl
10.Carbonization Ofthermallypre-treated coalwithaddedpitch_(StBV )
Widening ofthecokingcoalbasisbycombining coalpreheating withthe
addition ofpitchtoenablepoorly-coking ,butcheaperandmorereadily-
available coalstobecarbonized successfully .
Totalcost:1160000

-9-XVII/446/76-Etf
11.Product1£n_ofblastfurnacecoke_inslot-tjrpe ovensfromblends
withoutconventional_coking £ropertiethecombinedapplication of
preheating_and_stamp_charging (KGSaar)
Widening ofthecokingcoalbasisbycombining processes (preheating
andstampcharging,andadditionofpitch)thatwillhaveadditive
effects oncokequality.Laboratory ,semi-technical andfull-scale
tests.
Totalcost:2250000DM
12.High-perf 0rmajice_silicacoke_oven with_double gascollection system(StBV)
Operation oftestovenswithaprogrammers-controlled doublegas
collection systemtoseparate thegasproduced intohydrogen-rich and
hydrogen-deficient fractions ,andthustoproducegasessuitable for
variousapplications (e.g.,synthesis ,reduction ,hydrogenation ).
Totalcost:2088000DM
Programme "NewChemical andPhysical Processes andProducts fromCoal"
SBsssssissaRis&ssssssn&tssssESsassgssKssscscassBasssrcr.atEiassKB&sssasisassiaaiBicrBXBas&RssaBsssssscssszssocsasscicsts
13.Relationships betweenrawmaterialquality^processconditions and
productglialit£in_the_manuf acture_ofhigh-value_products fromlignite(DEBRIV)
Continuation ofcurrentinvestigations ofthepetrographic ,physical
andchemical properties ofligniteinordertodetermine theparameters
relevanttovariousupgrading processes (e.g.,gasification ,carbon­
ization,liquefaction ),andtooptimiseprocessconditions with
respecttotherawmaterial properties andtheproducts required .
Totalcost:670000DM
14*•Theproduction ofdistillate fuelsandchemicalfeedstocks fromcoal(NCB)
Furtherdevelopment ,onthesmallpilotscale,ofprocesses formanu­
facturing liquidproducts fromcoal.Optimisation ofprocess
conditions ,development ofmetlodsformanufacturing epecdficproducts
fromcoal-derived liquids,investigation ofmethodsofobtaining high
yieldsoflightliquidfraotions bythermaltreatment o^coalextracts-
Totalcost:Î1I85O000

XVII/446/7Ô-EÏT-10-
15>Preparation of_sla^frorn^collier ^shale(NCB)
.Preparation ofslag "bymeltingcullier-y spoilinacyclcnecombustor
usingtheinherentfuelasasourceofheat,and.investigation of
theeffectofdifferent coolingprocesses onthenatureofthe
material produced.
Totalcostîh200000
16.Theuseof_washery_tai lingsin_civil_engineering (StBV)
Extension ofcurrentstudiesaimedatfindinglarge-scale usesfor
colliery spoilinthecivilengineering industryinorderto
minimise theformation oftips "byproviding outletsfortheincreasing
quantities ofthismaterial produced "bymodernminingtechniques .
Totalcost:1500000DM
j.7.Recoveryofenergybyfluidised combustion ofwastematerial
arisingfromcoalminingandcoaljirocessing (NCB)
Application offluidised bedcombu.stion torecovery ofmaximum
energyfromlow-grade wastesorby-products fromcoalmining,
coalpreparation andcoalconversion processes .
Totalcost:h550000
Estimated costandduration oftheresearchwork . •
Thetotalcostforeseenfortheprogramme is11549000E.U.A.*
Thecostandduration oftheindividual projects aregiveninthe
following table.
*Ratesofconversion fromnational currencies arethose
of24.10.1978

XVII/446/78-EN-11-
Project ProposerDuration
(years)Totalcost*
(E.U.A.)
à
!KECHANICAL COALPREPARATION
1.Improved dewatermg offines -from
preparation plant3StBV3' j
I
I719000
2.Theapplication ofmicroprocessors
and.minicomputers tocoal
ipreparation plantcontrolKCB 3 !1837000
I
TOTAL .| 2556000
COKING ANDBRTQUETTING OPCOAL
3.Pipelinetransport ofcokingcoal Snamprogetti 1 126000
4-Fundaraental studiesoftheformation ,
structure andreactivity ofmetallurgical
cokesasrelated toblastfurnace
operationUnivereity
ofNevcastle3 172000
5-
IStudiesofthafactorscontrolling the
formation anddevelopment ofthe
porousstructure ofcokeBCRA 3 309500
6.Thetreatment ofcondensates and
washingwaterincokingplantsStBV 3 703000
7.Aninvestigation ofthefactors
affecting thecomposition andyieldsof
tarandbenzoleproduced byhigh-
temperature carbonization ofcoalBCRA 3 82500
8.Development ofsystematic controlsfor
■thethermalregulation ofbatteries
andtheproduction ofcokeCERCHAH 3 568000
9.!
IContinuous analysis ofcokeoven
wastegasesinordertoreducethe
heatlosspertonofcokeHoogovens 2 178000
10.Carbonization ofthermally pretreatea .
coalwithaddedpitch
iStBV 2
Continued ..463500
!
!
ι
I
I
£ i

-12-XVII/446/78-EN
Ko. Project IProposer |Duration I
(Years)ITotalcost*
(E.U.A.)
11.Production ofblastfurnace cokein
slot-type ovensfromblendswithout
conventional cokingproperties bythe
combinedapplication ofpreheating
andstampchargingKQSaarI
!3 899000
12.High-performance silica .cokeovenwith
doublegascollection systemStBv 2 834000
TOTAL 4335500
mXCHEMICAL AMDPHYSICAL PROCESSES
ANDPKODUCTS FROMCOAL
13.Relationships between rawmaterials
qualityi processconditions and
productqualityinthemanufacture of
high-value products fromligrdteDEBRIV 1,5 !
I
i
I
I
I268000
14-Theproduction ofdistillate fuelsand 'j
chemical feedstocks fromcoal iNCB j
1'!^ I2696500
15.Preparation ofslagfromcolliery shale
iNCB 3 291500
16.Theuseofwasherytailingsincivil
engineeringStBV 3 599500
17.Recovery ofenergybyfluidised combustion
ofwastematerialarisingfromcoal
miningandcoalprocessingNCB 3 802000
■TOTAL 4657500
■■■■■■GRANDTOTAL
BCBMjtKaipccs «B«iac:»w»ca ftnwageMBaa– ■«Mwwieaii iΓ
3Β19Ι rjiBataiKsaamtBSSi11549000
IS*BC*EEE=aecSt
*Hatesofconversion fromnational currencies arethose
of24.10.197Q

-13-–XVII/446/78-EN
V. Research results
TheE.C.S.C. Experts *Committees which arealready concerned with all
research work inthese fields will also supervise andkeep under
review theexecution oftheresearch work that forms the subject of
Vtherequests .
Theagreements to "beconcluded with the "beneficiaries oftheaidwill
define therights andobligations ofthecontracting parties .They
will hedesigned primarily toensure that the research results will
bemade available toailinterested parties intheCommunity ,in
accordance with Art .55°f "theE.C.S.C. Treaty .
VI.Expected repercussions cfthe new programme
Inthefield ofcoal preparation theresearch projects comprising the
neviprogramme should improve ,theability ofthe coal industry tomeet
therequirements ofthecoking industry andtheelectricity generation
industry with regard tocoal moisture content inthe face ofchanging
conditions ,andareexpected tolead toimprovements incoal preparation
asaresult ofbetter control andincreased automation oftheprocess .
Inrelation tothecoking andbriquetting ofcoal ,theresearch envisaged
isexpected tohave favourable repercussions ontheproductivity and
profitability ofcoking plant asaresult ofdevelopments inthetreatment
ofby-products andeffluents (treatment ofcondensates ,optimisation of
tarandbenzole yields ,andcollection ofcoke oven gases )andinthe
monitoring andcontrol ofbattery temperatures andcombustion conditions .
Thedevelopment ofpipeline transport forcoking coal should also be
ofeconomic importance ,andisexpected tohave afavorable impact
onthe environment ,asistheimproved treatment of -liquid effluents .
Thebetter ■understanding oftheproperties ofcoke that isexpected to
arise from theresearch programme should make itpossible toimprove
coke quality asthe result ofincreased knowledge oftherelationships
between theformation ofcok <?.-itsproperties ,anditsbehaviour inuse .

14.XVII/4-16/Y8-EK
ThisKnowledge ,together withtheresultsoftheworkon
combining preheating withthetechnicru.es ofbinder-addition and
stampcharging ,willalsohaverepercussionson-theformulation of
coalblends,andhenceonthewidening ofthecoking .coalrange,
andwilltherefore leadtoabetterutilization ofCommunity resources .
Favourable economiceffectserealsoanticipated inthisconnection ,
sincetheresearchresultsshouldmakeitpossibletomanufacture
metallurgical cokefromcheapercoals.
Theresearch programme onnewchemical andphysical processes and
products fromcoalshouldleadtowardsimprovedutilization of
lignitewhich,inrecenttimesshasbeenusedonlyforbriquette
manufacture andelectricity generation ,butwhichcouldbecomethe
sourceofarangeofnewproducts .Theprogramme willalsocontribute
towardsthedevelopment ofcoalliquefaction ,andwillthushelpto
makeitpossible forcoaltobeusedasasubstitute forimported
rawmaterials inthemanufacture ofliquidfuelsandchemical feedstocks .
Theproposed studiesofthetreatment andutilization ofwaste
materials willhelptoimprovetheeconomyofthecoalminingindustry
byproviding profitable outletsforminewasteormaterials produced
fromsuchwaste,andthusreducingtheneedfordumpingwhichis
becomingincreasingly difficult becauseofproblems ofcost,avail­
abilityofspace,andenvironmental considerations .Finally,the
workonthecombustion oflow-grade materials isexpectedtoleadto
ausefulsavingofresources bymaximising therecovery ofenergyfrom
solidmaterials .Thecombustion ofsolidwastesfromcoalprocessing
shoyldalsocontribute totheviability ofcoalgasification and
liquefaction processes .

XVII/446/78-EH
-15-
Conclusions
For tnereasons outlined above ,theprovision offinancial aid
bytheCommunity fortheproposed research work inthe fields
ofmechanical coal preparation ,coking andbriquetting ofcoal ,
andnew chemical andphysical processes andproducts from coal
isjudged tobeappropriate and justified .
The research programme will cost 11549000EUA and theCommission
proposes togrant aidtotalling 6929400EUA .
Distribution ofaid
BCRA (United Kingdom )
CERCKAR (France )
DEBRIV (Germany )
Hoogovens (Netherlands )
KGSaar (Germany )
NCB (United Kingdom )
Snamprogetti (Italy )
StBV (Germany )
University ofNewcastle (United Kingdom )1991 400 E.U.A.3376200 E.U.A.106 800 E.U.A.235 200 E.U.A.
160 800 E.U.A.
103 200 E.U.A.539 400 E.U.A.340 «00 E.U.A.
75600 E.U.A.