Research

Dust generated from mines not only hampers the health of miners, but also raises environmental concerns to the surrounding communities. However, previous research has shown inconsistent results that do not provide a clearly effective dust control solution. We have systematically evaluated methods for the development of effective dust suppressants, and identified key factors that are essential for developing effective and robust dust suppression products. Based on this, the product we have developed achieved 50% more suppression efficiency for coal dust, and 3 times more effective with low cost for controlling surface mine dust.

1. Ding, Xuhan, Guang Xu, Wei Victor Liu, Leon Yang, and Boris Albijanic. 2019. 'Effect of polymer stabilizers' viscosity on red sand structure strength and dust pollution resistance', Powder Technology, 352: 117-25.

2. Ding, Xuhan, Guang Xu, Wei Zhou, Wahidul Biswas, and Xingyun Guo. 2019. 'Treatment of bauxite residue dust pollution by improving structural stability via application of synthetic and natural polymers', Journal of Central South University, 26: 440448.

3. Chen, Yinping, Guang Xu, Jinxin Huang, Jacques Eksteen, Xiaofei Liu, and Zidong Zhao. 2019. 'Characterization of coal particles wettability in surfactant solution by using four laboratory static tests', Colloids and Surfaces A: Physicochemical and Engineering Aspects, 567: 304-12.

4. Ding, Xuhan, Guang Xu, Mehmet Kizil, Wei Zhou, and Xingyun Guo. 2018. 'Lignosulfonate Treating Bauxite Residue Dust Pollution: Enhancement of Mechanical Properties and Wind Erosion Behavior', Water, Air, & Soil Pollution, 229: 1-13.

5. Xu, Guang, Yinping Chen, Jacques Eksteen, and Jialin Xu. 2018. 'Surfactant-aided coal dust suppression: A review of evaluation methods and influencing factors', Science of the Total Environment, 639: 1060-76.

6. Ding, Xuhan, Guang Xu, Wei Zhou, and Mahinda Kuruppu. 2018. 'Effect of synthetic and natural polymers on reducing bauxite residue dust pollution', Environmental Technology.

7. Xu, Guang, Xuhan Ding, Mahinda Kuruppu, Wei Zhou, and Wahidul Biswas. 2018. 'Research and application of non-traditional chemical stabilizers on bauxite residue (red sand) dust control, a review', Science of the Total Environment, 616-617: 1552-65.

8. Chen, Yinping, Guang Xu, and Boris Albijanic. 2017. 'Evaluation of SDBS surfactant on coal wetting performance with static methods: Preliminary laboratory tests', Energy Sources, Part A: Recovery, Utilization, and Environmental Effects, 39: 2140-50.

Dr. Guang Xu has studied DPM distribution and dispersion characteristics in underground mines, and optimized ventilation designs that achieves more effective DPM exposure control. CFD models were developed and validated to achieve better agreement with experimental results. Different modelling methods were compared, based on which a model with less computational time and acceptable accuracy was established. High DPM concentration areas were identified, which helps the workers and management to take proactive measures reducing the exposure level. Based on this, a new ventilation system standard was designed which provided a better DPM dilution performance than the existing on-site design.

1. Chang, Ping, Guang Xu, Fubao Zhou, Benjamin Mullins, and S. Abishek. 2019. 'Comparison of underground mine DPM simulation using discrete phase and continuous phase models', Process Safety and Environmental Protection.

2. Chang, Ping, Guang Xu, Fubao Zhou, Benjamin Mullins, S. Abishek, and Duncan Chalmers. 2019. 'Minimizing DPM pollution in an underground mine by optimizing auxiliary ventilation systems using CFD', Tunnelling and Underground Space Technology, 87: 112-21.

3. Xu, Guang, Ping Chang, Benjamin Mullins, Fubao Zhou, and Shengyong Hu. 2018. 'Numerical study of diesel particulate matter distribution in an underground mine isolated zone', Powder Technology, 339: 947-57.

4. Chang, Ping, and Guang Xu. 2017. 'A review of the health effects and exposure-responsible relationship of diesel particulate matter for underground mines', International Journal of Mining Science and Technology, 27: 831-38.

Dr. Guang Xu has conducted experimental and numerical study on microwave-assisted coal seam gas enhancement. Microwave heating has been considered as a promising alternative technology to hydraulic fracturing and other enhanced coal bed methane recovery methods. However, few previous studies investigated the effect of coal’s dielectric property and water saturation on effective microwave heating/fracturing. Dr. Xu has systematically investigated the influencing factors for microwave heating/fracturing using Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR), Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) and Thermal Imaging (TI). A coupled electromagnetic irradiation, heat and mass transfer model considering moisture vaporization was established for microwave heating of coal. Based on these researches, parameter optimization and conceptual designs of on-site microwave heating system were proposed for coal seam enhancement.

1. Huang, Jinxin, Guang Xu, Yunpei Liang, Guozhong Hu, and Ping Chang. 2020. 'Improving coal permeability using microwave heating technology - A review', Fuel, 266: 1-16.

2. Huang, Jinxin, Guozhong Hu, Guang Xu, Baisheng Nie, Nan Yang, and Jialin Xu. 2019. 'The development of microstructure of coal by microwave irradiation stimulation', Journal of Natural Gas Science and Engineering, 66: 86-95.

3. Huang, Jinxin, Guang Xu, Guozhong Hu, Mehmet Kizil, and Zhongwei Chen. 2018. 'A coupled electromagnetic irradiation, heat and mass transfer model for microwave heating and its numerical simulation on coal', Fuel Processing Technology, 177: 237-45.

4. Huang, Jinxin, Guang Xu, Yinping Chen, and Zhongwei Chen. 2018. 'Simulation of microwave's heating effect on coal seam permeability enhancement', International Journal of Mining Science and Technology,

Dr. Guang Xu has developed a methodology that can characterize underground ventilation system remotely following an unexpected event. It is important to know the state of the mine immediately to manage the emergency situation effectively in the case of mine incident. Particularly when part or the whole mine is inaccessible, remotely and quickly ascertaining the ventilation status is one of the pieces of essential information that can help mine personnel and rescue teams make decisions. Dr. Xu has developed a methodology that uses tracer gas techniques and CFD modeling to analyze underground mine ventilation system status remotely. Laboratory and field experiments have demonstrated the developed methodology is able to determine changes of a mine ventilation system. It provides an alternate way to gather information that can be used by mine personnel and rescuers to take safe and effective actions.

1. Xu, Guang, Kray D. Luxbacher, Saad Ragab, Jialin Xu, and Xuhan Ding. 2017. 'Computational fluid dynamics applied to mining engineering: a review', International Journal of Mining, Reclamation and Environment, 31: 251-75.

2. Xu, Guang, Edmund C. Jong, Kray D. Luxbacher, and Harold M. McNair. 2016. 'Effective utilization of tracer gas in characterization of underground mine ventilation networks', Process Safety and Environmental Protection, 99: 1-10.

3. Xu, Guang, Edmund C. Jong, Kray D. Luxbacher, Saad A. Ragab, and Michael E. Karmis. 2015. 'Remote characterization of ventilation systems using tracer gas and CFD in an underground mine', Safety Science, 74: 140-49.

4. Xu, Guang, Kray D. Luxbacher, Saad Ragab, and Steve Schafrik. 2013. 'Development of a remote analysis method for underground ventilation systems using tracer gas and CFD in a simplified laboratory apparatus', Tunnelling and Underground Space Technology, 33: 1-11.