In the heart of China, researchers are revolutionizing coal mine tunneling, transforming it into a safer, more efficient, and intelligent process. At the forefront of this innovation is Hongwei Ma, a professor at the School of Mechanical Engineering, Xi’an University of Science and Technology. Ma and his team have introduced a groundbreaking academic concept dubbed “Digging is modelling,” which is set to reshape the future of coal mine excavation.
The idea is simple yet profound: treat the excavation process as a dynamic modeling exercise. By integrating multi-source data such as geological exploration, mine design, and advance detection, Ma’s team constructs a comprehensive mining model. This model serves as the backbone for various intelligent subsystems, each addressing a critical aspect of the excavation process.
One of the most striking innovations is the intelligent cutting technology. By establishing a coupling submodel of the mining model and the cutting subsystem, the team has developed intelligent cutting trajectory planning and cutting parameter optimization methods. “This approach allows for adaptive planning of the cutting subsystem, ensuring precision and efficiency in every cut,” Ma explains.
But the advancements don’t stop at cutting. The team has also tackled intelligent temporary and permanent support technologies. By creating submodels that integrate with the mining model, they’ve proposed adaptive adjustment methods for temporary support posture and support force, as well as collaborative control methods for permanent support subsystems. These innovations enhance the stability of the surrounding rock and lay the groundwork for parallel and cooperative digging and anchoring operations.
Navigation, too, has been revolutionized. By integrating the mining model with the navigation subsystem, the team has developed an accurate navigation method that combines inertial navigation with total station technology. This enhancement significantly improves the precision of roadway driving and formation quality.
Perhaps the most impressive feat is the intelligent parallel cooperative control in a cluster based on the tunnel model. The team has established a parallel cooperative control sub-model that integrates with the tunnel model and the cluster cooperative control subsystem. They’ve developed a multi-machine parallel cooperative control strategy, enabling safe and efficient driving even in complex geological conditions.
The practical impact of this research is already evident. The shield mine excavation robot system, developed based on the “Digging is modelling” concept, has been successfully utilized by Shaanxi Coal and Chemical Industry Group Shaanxi Xiao Bao Dang Mining Co., Ltd. The system has effectively addressed challenges in mine roadway excavation under complex geological conditions, significantly enhancing safety, efficiency, and intelligence levels.
So, what does this mean for the future of the energy sector? As coal remains a crucial component of the global energy mix, innovations like these are vital. They promise to make coal mining safer, more efficient, and more environmentally friendly. Moreover, the principles behind “Digging is modelling” could be applied to other mining operations, as well as tunneling projects in civil engineering.
The research, published in Meitan xuebao (translated from Chinese as Coal Science and Technology), marks a significant step forward in mining technology. As the energy sector continues to evolve, innovations like these will be key to meeting the world’s energy demands sustainably and responsibly. The work of Ma and his team is a testament to the power of innovative thinking and technological advancement in shaping the future of the energy sector.
