Study on formulation optimization of surfactant-nanoparticle composite foam dust suppression

Area of Science:

• Mining Engineering
• Materials Science
• Chemical Engineering

Background:

• Traditional dust suppression methods in coal mining face challenges with efficiency and adaptability.
• Effective dust control is crucial for worker safety and environmental protection in mining operations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and optimize a novel foam dust removal system for underground coal mining.
• To enhance the efficiency and adaptability of dust suppression using surfactant mixtures and nanoparticle strengthening.

Main Methods:

• Formulation optimization using orthogonal tests and weight method analysis for surfactant blends (SDS, AEO-9, APG).
• Investigating the impact of nano-silica (SiO2) particle concentration on foam stability and dust suppression.
• Evaluating the performance of the optimized foam system in simulated coal mining conditions.

Main Results:

• The optimal foam formulation consists of 0.5% SDS, 0.5% AEO-9, and 0.8% APG.
• Addition of 0.4 g L-1 of 10 nm SiO2 nanoparticles increased foam half-life by 37.9% to 2,400 seconds.
• The enhanced foam system demonstrated improved long-term dust suppression capabilities.

Conclusions:

• The novel surfactant-nanoparticle foam system offers superior dust control efficiency and stability for coal mining.
• The system is cost-effective, adaptable to existing mine equipment, and suitable for operations like coal cutting and tunneling.