Discrete Element Simulation of Conical Pick’s Coal Cutting Process under Different Cutting Parameters

Abstract EN

To explore how the cutting parameters affect the conical pick’s cutting force in coal cutting process, some simulation tests were carried with EDEM based on analysis of coal cutting process of conical pick and micro mechanical characteristic of coal particles.

In this paper, traction speed, drum angular velocity, and installation angle of conical pick were considered as the main coal cutting parameters.

The discrete element simulations were conducted under 7 sets of various cutting parameters, which were determined in the range of empirical parameters.

From the results of the simulation tests, it can be concluded that the fragmentation of coal particles appears in a compacted, squeezed, and crumbling state in coal cutting process; the traction speed has the greatest impact on the conical pick’s cutting force and cutting force fluctuation and the influence of drum angular velocity and installation angle reduce in turn; the force and force fluctuation tend to decrease and obviously increase, respectively, with the increase of drum angular velocity and traction speed; and they will reach the minimum when the pick’s installation angle is 45° under certain traction speed and drum angular velocity.