Assessment of the Applications of Water Jet Technology in Mining Sector

Abstract

Waterjet technology finding broad application potential in different areas, due to having low cutting force required and the possibility of flexible and multi-directional cutting, is used as an alternative method over the conventional cutting systems. Waterjet technology, used firstly in excavation processes of soft rocks in mining, has increased its usability with the hydraulic excavation of coal. Nowadays, it is commonly used for block cutting in quarries and processing of natural stones for the purposes of decorative production. The method has the potential use in drilling and tunneling processes too. Recently, investigations have been carried out to enhance the usability of the technology in milling processes. In this study, an assessment of some applications of waterjet technology in mining is presented. Additionally, the technology is compared with other cutting systems used in mining in terms of various aspects as well. As a result of the study, it is determined that the cutting process with waterjet technology could be efficiently used in mining sector because of the advantages such as little material losses, not requiring any additional processes after cutting, eliminating the dust, increasing the fragmentation efficiency of rock or coal, decreasing the costs resulted from wear.

Keywords

• Su jeti teknolojisi, Madencilik, Doğal taş, Kömür.