Approaches for a Quality-Controlled Selective Mining in German Opencast Lignite Mines Using Different Sensor Technologies

摘要

Only a small part of the German lignite is used for material applications. Therefore the Technical University Bergakademie Freiberg is working with partners from the industry at a project called "ibi" (innovative brown-coal integration). The aim of the project is the interdisciplinary research on the material use of lignite. The main development goals are an operating diagram for selective mining of quality lignite as well as the development of sensor technology for material and boundary layer detection. The article gives an introduction how different sensors can be used to achieve these goals. Therefore the main working principles of these sensors will be explained as well as the idea how to attach one measuring device directly at the boom of a bucket-wheel excavator to measure and recognize the underneath lying surfaces or guiding layers. The consideration how the technology could work as an aid and the dividing layer recognition should occur is also further examined.