Development of high-power microwave mechanical integrated continuous mining device

This article introduces a high-power microwave mechanical integrated continuous mining device, which can achieve synchronous cutting of hard rocks by microwave and machinery. The device includes a cutting system, a rotary translation system, a loading system, a high-power microwave system, and a control and monitoring system. The technology of “master-slave follow-up” disc cutter alternating side cutting of rock was proposed, which could improve the effectiveness of rock breaking. The integrated structure of a microwave-cut system was then proposed, and synchronous motion of the microwave-cut system and adjustment of the loading system could be realized. The automatic adjustment technology of the microwave working distance was developed to dynamically control the optimal microwave working distance. The basic functions of the equipment were verified by tests. By comparing the two types of disk cutters, it is found that the master-slave follow-up disk cutter can improve significantly the dust removal effect and rock breaking efficiency in rock breaking process versus the conventional large disc cutter. Cutting tests of slate with or without microwave were conducted using a master-slave follow-up disk cutter. The results show that the cutting patterns of slates change from intermittent chunks (without microwave irradiation) to persistent debris (with microwave irradiation), and the cutting speed is significantly improved (170%). The development of the device provides a scientific basis for changing the conventional mining technology of metal mines and realizing the mechanical continuous mining in hard metal mines.