Completed R&D Projects
The following projects have completed their research and development of improved processes and technologies for the Mining Industry of the Future.
Project fact sheets for each project are available as Adobe PDFs. Download Adobe Reader.
If you would like any information relating to these projects, please contact one of the following individuals:
Morgan Mosser
Project Manager for the Mining Program
(304) 285-4723
Elliott Levine
Program Manager
(202) 586-1476
Extraction
Robot-Human Control Interactions in Mining Operations (PDF 342 KB)
Mine-to-Mill Optimization (PDF 123 KB)
Demonstration of Crosswell Imaging Technology and Advanced Drillstring Radar Navigation for Horizontal Directional Drilling (PDF 227 KB)
Development of New Geophysical Technique for Mineral Exploration and Mineral Discrimination BAsed on Electromagnetic Methods (PDF 348 KB)
Investigation of a Combined GPS and Inertial Measurement Unit Positioning System for Mining Equipment (PDF 154 KB)
Breakthrough Energy Savings with Waterjet Technology for the Mining Industry (PDF 193 KB)
Imaging Ahead of Mining led by Sandia National Laboratory (PDF 513 KB)
Robotics for Improving Mining Productivity led by Idaho National Engineering and Environmental Laboratory (PDF 489 KB)
Drilling and Blasting Optimization led by Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (PDF 672 KB)
Through-the-Earth Communications for the Mining Industry (PDF 138 KB)
24-Channel Geophone Array for Horizontal or Verticle Boreholes led by Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (PDF 459 KB)
Mapping with Natural Induced Polarization led by Electromagnetic Instruments, Inc. (PDF 472 KB)
Projectile Based Excavation led by Advanced Power Technologies, Inc. (PDF 587 KB)
Wireless Mine-wide Telecommunications (PDF 116 KB)
Horizon Sensing TM led by Stolar Horizon, Inc. (PDF 2.9 MB)
Computerized Roof Bolt Design System led by West Virginia University (PDF 7.3 MB)
Reducing Energy Consumption for Water Pumping at Limestone Quarries (PDF 253 KB)
Beneficiation & Processing
Advanced Surface Enhancement Technology for Decreasing Wear and Corrosion for Mineral Processing (PDF 145 KB)
Development of a Novel Dry Coal Processing Technology (PDF 261 KB)
Development of an Ultra-Fine Coal Dewatering Technology and an Integrated Flotation-Dewatering System for Coal Preparation Plants (PDF 173 KB)
Infrastructure for Integrated Data Environments and Analysis (IIDEA) for Mining and Processing Systems (PDF 357 KB)
Development of an Advanced Fine Coal Suspension Dewatering Process (PDF 178 KB)
Dense-medium Cyclone Optimization led by Virginia Polytechnic Institute (PDF 504 KB)
Calibration Methods for On-line Analyzers led by University of Alaska (PDF 452 KB)
Mining Byproduct Recovery led by Oak Ridge National Laboratory (PDF 515 KB)
Selective Flocculation of Fine Mineral Particles led by DOE's Albany Research Center (PDF 515 KB)
Alternate Anode Reaction for Copper Electrowinning (PDF 102 KB)
Smart Screening Systems for Mining (PDF 112 KB)
Novel Dewatering Aids for Mineral and Coal Fines led by Minerals and Coal Technologies, Inc. (PDF 515 KB)
Treatment of Cyanide Solutions and Slurries Using Air-spaged Hydrocyclone led by University of Utah (PDF 1.6 MB)
Three Dimensional Simulation of Charge Motion in Semiautogenous Grinding (SAG) Mills and Ball Mills led by Idaho National Engineering and Environmental Laboratory (PDF 449 KB)
Comminution Circuit Optimization led by Michigan Technological University (PDF 704 KB)
Mine Compatible Laser Analysis Instrument for Ore Grading led by Idaho National Engineering and Environmental Laboratory (PDF 579 KB)
Real-time Coal/Ore Grade Sensor led by AdvR, Inc. (PDF 463 KB)
Improving Energy Efficiency via Optimized Charge Motion and Slurry Flow in Plant Scale SAG Mills (PDF 238 KB)
In-Plant Testing of High-Efficiency Hydraulic Separators (PDF 168 KB)
Novel Binders and Methods for Agglomeration of Ore for Heap Leaching (PDF 141 KB)
Total Ore Process Integration & Management (PDF 158 KB)
Use of the GranuflowTM process in Coal Preparation Plants (PDF 173 KB)
Online SAG Mill Grinding Pulse Measurement and Optimization (PDF 231 KB)
Materials Handling
Effective Conveyor Belt Inspection for Improving Mining Productivity (PDF 124 KB)
Development and Deployment of Automated Machine Fluid Analysis Systems led by Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PDF 474 KB)
Hydride Fuel Cell Mining Vehicles led by Savannah River Technical Center (PDF 469 KB)
Advanced Power and Control for Fuel Cell Mining Vehicles led by Fuelcell Propulsion Institute (PDF 755 KB)
CastCon Process for Mining Applications led by Michigan Technological University (PDF 448 KB)
Fibrous Monolithic Composites as Wear-resistant Components for Mining led by Advanced Ceramics Research, Inc. (PDF 651 KB)
Metal-Matrix Composites and Thermal Spray Coatings for Mining Machines led by Caterpillar Inc. (PDF 1.2 MB)
Technologies Developed by Small Businesses and Inventors, Funded by Inventions & Innovation
Anaerobic Bioleaching Technology for Metals Release (I&I) (PDF 118 KB)
Auxiliary Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Engine Warming System for Trucks (I&I) (PDF 106 KB)
Coal-Fired Air Turbine (CAT) Cycle Plant (I&I) (PDF 144 KB)
Cupola Furnace Computer Process Model (I&I) (PDF 205 KB)
Density Separation in Complex-Mode Vibration Fluidized Beds (I&I) (PDF 93 KB)
Development of a Lower pH Copper Flotation Reagent System (I&I) (PDF 219 KB)
Development of an Innovative Energy Efficient High Temperature Natural Gas Furnace (I&I) (PDF 89 KB)
Development of Environmentally Benign Mineral Flotation Collectors (I&I) (PDF 219 KB)
Distributed Optical Fiber Sensor for Continuous Liquid Level Tank Gauging (I&I) (PDF 179 KB)
Duel Fuel Energy Conversion System for Diesel Engines (I&I) (PDF 106 KB)
Filtering Molten Metal (I&I) (PDF 123 KB)
Miniature, Inexpensive, Amperometric Oxygen Sensor (I&I) (PDF 422 KB)
Ramex Tunneler (I&I) (PDF 102 KB)
Tough-Coated Hard Powders: A New Paradigm in Mining and Machining Tool Materials (I&I) (PDF 255 KB)
Advance Overfire Air System and Design Methodology for Stoker Type Boilers and Furnaces that Burn Biomass, Coal, and Other Solid Fuels (I&I) (PDF 309 KB)
ITP Crosscutting Applications
Clog-Resistant Submerged Entry Nozzles (Steel) (PDF 78 KB)
Oscillating Combustion to Reduce NOx Emissions (Combustion) (PDF 75 KB)
Inert Metal Anode Life in Low Temperature Aluminum Reduction Process (Aluminum) (PDF 92 KB)
Multiphase Fluid Dynamics Research Consortium (Chemicals) (PDF 274 KB)
Solution Crystallization Modeling Tools (Chemicals) (PDF 744 KB)
Advanced Blast Furnace Control (Steel) (PDF 98 KB)
Improving Refractory Service Life and Recycling Refractory Materials (Steel) (PDF 87 KB)
Online, Non-Destructive Measurement of Mechanical Properties (Steel) (PDF 118 KB)
Recycling Waste Oxides into Primary Process (Steel) (PDF 86 KB)
Advanced Anodes and Cathodes Utilized in Energy Efficient Aluminum Production Cells (Aluminum) (PDF 83 KB)
Development of Novel Non-Consumable Anode for Electrowinning Primary Aluminum (Aluminum) (PDF 86 KB)
Dynamic Inert Metal Anodes for Primary Aluminum Production (Aluminum) (PDF 106 KB)
Wetted Cathodes for Low Temperature Aluminum Smelting (Aluminum) (PDF 139 KB)
Wettable Ceramic-Based Drained Technology for Aluminum Electrolysis (Aluminum) (PDF 82 KB)
Membranes for Corrosive Oxidation (Chemicals) (PDF 742 KB)
Recovery of Select Thermoplastics via Froth Flotation (Chemicals) (PDF 172 KB)
Selective Catalytic Oxidative Dehydrogenation of Alkanes to Olefins: Effective Catalysts (Chemicals) (PDF 746 KB)
Performance Data to Increase Reuse of Foundry Byproducts (Metal Casting) (PDF 152 KB)