DEPARTMENT OF MINERALS AND ENERGY

MINE MANAGERS EXAMINATION

METALLIFEROUS AND COAL MINING

MECHANICAL AND ELECTRICAL
ENGINEERING

DATE: 7 JUNE 2001 TOTAL MARKS: 100

TIME ALLOWED: 3 HOURS TO PASS: 50
(12:30 15:30)

NOTE: All calculations must be shown

All answers and sketches to be presented in a neat and decipherable manner.

Papers will not be marked if not decipherable.
Restrict the use of highlighters.
Do not use a red pen.
Read the directions on the front page of your answer book carefully.
The use of computers, laptops and palmtops is prohibited.
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QUESTION 1

1.1 Define:

1.1.1 Flameproof enclosure (3)

1.1.2 Intrinsically safe system (4)

1.2 Describe how the intake and exhaust systems of diesel engines,
for your in a fiery mine, are flameproofed. (8)

1.3 If an apparatus is marked E ex e d I what protection is

afforded by this device ? (5)

QUESTION 2

2.1 An AC mains supply of 240 volt is connected to the following loads:

- one geyser rated at 3KW

- two 100W lamps
- one 2 kW air-conditioning unit

The most efficient and cost-effective method of connecting the

various loads is used and there is also a total voltage drop of
5 volt in the supply cables to the equipment.

Calculate:
2.1.1 the total line current (4)

2.1.2 the resistance of the supply cable (4)

2.1.3 the actual power absorbed by the geyser (4)

2.2 Give 5 reasons why a 3-phase motor is generally preferred over a

single phase motor. (5)

2.3 Name 3 methods employed to reduce the starting current of

electric motors. (3)
[20]
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QUESTION 3

A conveyance with a mass of 1120 kg is to be used to convey 16 persons

in a vertical shaft. The rope has a unit mass of 1,832 kg/m and a breaking
force of 292,8 kN. The centre of the headgear is situated 33,28 m above
the bank.

Calculate:

3.1 the capacity factor, and (5)

3.1.1 the maximum depth below the bank to which this conveyance may
be operated with a full load of persons if the factor of safety is to
remain within that specified by the regulations. (5)
[10]

QUESTION 4

4.1 With the aid of a simple schematic diagram explain how a signal
is transmitted on the ECAM signalling device between the
conveyance and the winding engine driver. (5)

4.2 Explain with the aid of sketches how the tension in the ropes of
a Blair multi-rope winder is equalised. (5)
[10]

QUESTION 5

A locomotive tramming system on a large underground mine operates as follows:

Small battery locomotives (5 tons) collect ore from scattered stopes and deliver
full trucks to a large (12 ton) overhead supply line locomotive, which transports
them to the tips.

5.1 How many small units can the large unit service under the following
conditions?

(Small units transport rock at a rate of 100 tons/hour to the collection

point).

- large unit velocity 40 km/hr

- large unit acceleration 0,09,m/s (upslope and downslope)
- collection time 5 minutes
- tipping time 5 minutes
distance to tips from
collection point 2 000 m [10]
- rock load per tip 110 tons
QUESTION 6

6.1 What is the thrust on the closed valve at the bottom of the following
columns ?

Pipe Pipe diameter Vertical head Liquid density

1 200 mm 600 mm 1,0 t/m

2 400 mm 600 mm 1,0 t/m

3 250 mm 900 mm 1,25 t/m (3)

6.2 Calculate the hydrostatic pressure in each of the following pipe

columns.

Pipe Pipe diameter Vertical head Liquid density

1 200 mm 600 mm 1,0 t/m

2 400 mm 600 mm 1,0 t/m

3 200 mm 600 mm 1,2 t/m
4 200 mm 300 mm 1,25 t/m (4)

6.3 Water is gravitated from a 5 m x 2 m x 2 m deep dam to a stope

100 m below the floor of the dam through a 50 m diameter pipe
and then through hoses to 8 percussion drilling machines, each
having a water tube with an internal diameter of 4 mm. If the total
loss of head due to friction, etc. s 3,33 mm

Calculate:

6.3.1 the minimum inflow of water required into the dam to ensure that
drill water will be available for approximately 6 hours (assume the
dam to be full at the start of the shift and the combined co-efficient
of discharge as 0,79). (6)
6.3.2 the pressure on a closed valve at the end of the pipe when the

dam is full. (4)

6.4 A 3 phase 1,25 kV electric motor draws 195A at 0,8 power factor
when the pump it is driving delivers 50 liters/s of water through a
vertical column 400 m long. The column develops a leak 200 m
from the pump. This results in the quantity delivered at the top of
the column dropping to 29 liters/s and the quantity lost at the leak is
25 liters/s.

Calculate the amperage drawn under the new conditions if the efficiency
remains the same.

Assume the friction head loss in the column is 0,005Q in meters per
100 m of column, where Q is the flow in liters/s. (13)
[30]
TOTAL MARKS [100]