Surface tension has a detrimental effect in mining applications where water is used, such as coal dust suppression and water infusion into coal pores. High surface tension results in larger water droplets that are not as effective at dust suppression or pore infusion. Research showed different additives worked best for infusion versus suppression. Compliance 2000 reduces surface tension and contains chemicals that help with both, costing less than 1 cent per liter of water. It can be added to water systems for specific areas or equipment and provides cleaning and lubrication benefits when used across a whole mine.

1. SURFACE TENSION OF WATER IN MINING
Surface tension has a detrimental effect when water is used in a
number of important mining applications. Water infusion into coal and
the suppression of airborne dust are two prime examples whereby
surface tension has a significant negative impact, particularly as coal
is hydrophobic and repels water in the first instance.
The higher the surface tension the larger the water droplets. The use
of untreated water with high surface tension acts against effective
water infusion into coal pores (to assist in preventing dust liberation)
and the wetting of fine coal airborne dust particles (to assist dust
suppression as part of a designed system).
Surface tension can be reduced by the use of additives. Research
work by the USBM in the 1980’s demonstrated that the most effective
chemicals assisting water infusion into coal and airborne dust
suppression were not necessarily the same. As such there are benefits
in developing additives that contain chemicals for both applications.
Mine Advice has obtained the Australian distribution rights for
Compliance 2000™ and Compliance 2000M™ that reduce surface
tension and contain chemicals for both water infusion and airborne
dust suppression. As a performance indicator, the natural surface
tension of water is 73 dyne/cm, many common surfactants around 30
dyne/cm and a 1:2000 solution of Compliance 2000 with water in the
range 8 to 15 dyne/cm. The direct impact of this reduction in surface
tension is demonstrated in a short video found at
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iAT9CB1nYvo.
Compliance 2000™ can be added at specified dosage rates into the
water system for either individual areas of a mine, specific pieces of
mining equipment/processes or the mine in its entirety. When its
effectiveness as a cleaning agent for pipes and belts, its use in
spontaneous combustion control on stockpiles as well as being a
general lubricant for drilling are also considered, its potential value
when used across an entire operation is considerable, including being
able to reduce overall water usage rates.
Compliance 2000™ is non-hazardous and biodegradable.
Cost is less than 1 cent per litre of water.
For more information on the use of Compliance 2000™ as part of an
integrated dust suppression strategy or general mine site use, please
contact Russell Frith on 0409056514 or via e-mail at
russellfrith@mineadvice.com.au
Large water drops are less effective at
capturing fine dust particles than smaller
ones (source: A Guide to Spray Technology
for Dust Control – Spraying System Co).
Optimum dust management systems contain
both dust prevention and dust suppression
elements (source: A Guide to Spray
Technology for Dust Control – Spraying
System Co).
Capillary action increasingly resists water
flow through ever smaller apertures – surface
tension is a key driver of capillary action
Cleaning effect of Compliance 2000 on pipe
condition over time.