Division of Ecological Researches is a part of Department of Environmental Monitoring in Central Mining Institute. Institute has implemented certified Integrated Management System according the requirements of PN-EN ISO 9001, PN-N-18001 and PN-EN ISO 14001. The credibility of research and technical competence of the Laboratory has been also certified by accredited No. AB 145.
Division performs field works including:
- Collecting of environmental samples of grounds, soils, water and wastewater;
- Descriptions of geological profiles;
- Researching of permeability index (filtration);
- Researching of the flow of watercourses and filtration coefficient of ground surface;
- Study stability of landfill slopes.
Collecting and transport of samples is carried around the Poland. A team of experienced employees samplers, who are equipped with specialized sets, guarantees high quality of services provided under all conditions.
Division of Ecological Researches offers monitoring of environmental according Polish law. We guarantee the participation and assistance in the process of obtaining administrative decisions.
Division of Ecological Researches prepares evaluations, expert reports and opinions of:
- Contamination of soils and grounds in relation to quality standards;
- State of the investment areas;
- The quality of surface water and groundwater;
- Basic characteristics of the waste to deposition;
- Economic deposition of waste underground and on the ground surface;
- The possibility of using recycled aggregates;
- Determine the suitability of mineral wastes for their use as aggregates in building, road construction and as a raw material in industries;
- The possibility of using various types of waste as alternative fuels;
- The possibility of using municipal sewage sludge;
- Binders used in underground construction.
Division of Ecological Researches uses modern equipment and uses highly specialized software to interpretation of the measurement results and visualization.
Employees working in the Division of Ecological Researches have wide expertise and years of experience. The team includes specialists in geology, hydrogeology, physics and environmental protection. They have powers of experts from a list of Silesian Governor for the protection of nature, the preparation of environmental impact assessments, as well as the powers of the Minister of the Environment in the field of hydrogeology.
Division of Ecological Researches performs field works including:
- contamination of soils and grounds in relation to quality standards;
- state of the investment areas;
- the quality of surface water and groundwater;
- basic characteristics of the waste to deposition;
- economic deposition of waste underground and on the ground surface;
- the possibility of using recycled aggregates;
- determine the suitability of mineral wastes for their use as aggregates in building, road construction and as a raw material in industries;
- the possibility of using various types of waste as alternative fuels;
- the possibility of using municipal sewage sludge;
- binders used in underground construction.
Collecting and transport of samples is carried around whole Poland. A team of experienced employees, who are equipped with specialized sets, guarantees high quality of services provided under all conditions.
- Reports of environmental impact assessments with participation in administrative proceedings in order to obtain the environmental decision;
- Initial reports;
- Environmental reviews;
- Integrated permits;
- Expertise;
- Evaluation and opinions on the protection and opportunities for environmentally safe use of waste on the surface and underground mining excavations and recovered raw materials;
- Environmental opinions on binder materials and formulations used in underground mines in the area of voluntary certification for safety mark ""B"";
- Research (identification), and disposal of hazardous waste, eligibility codes corresponding to the hazardous waste or non – hazardous waste;
- Physicochemical analysis of materials, including waste used as an additive for fuels, alternative fuels and renewable fuels;
- Comprehensive monitoring of landfills in the full range of phases resulting from their operation – pre-operational, the operational and the after-closure;
- A comprehensive studies of soil quality and the ground quality to making decisions about way of using or remediation in accordance with applicable standards, together with an assessment of their chemism and their health risks;
- Monitoring the state of environment before investments and also monitoring the state of the degraded post-industry environment (and post-mining) to make decisions about restoration or further use;
- Evaluates corrosivity of water against concrete and steel (on the basis of physical and chemical analysis) and performs tests of water used to prepare concrete, etc.
Highly qualified scientific or technical staff and modern equipment ensure high quality and reliability of research.
- Reports of environmental impact assessments with participation in administrative proceedings in order to obtain the environmental decision;
- Initial reports;
- Environmental reviews;
- Integrated permits;
- Expertise, evaluation and opinions on the protection and opportunities for environmentally safe use of waste on the surface and underground mining excavations and recovered raw materials;
- Environmental opinions on binder materials and formulations used in underground mines in the area of voluntary certification for safety mark ""B"";
- Research (identification), and disposal of hazardous waste, eligibility codes corresponding to the hazardous waste or non - hazardous waste;
- Physicochemical analysis of materials, including waste used as an additive for fuels, alternative fuels and renewable fuels;
- Comprehensive monitoring of landfills in the full range of phases resulting from their operation – pre-operational, the operational and the after-closure;
- A comprehensive studies of soil quality and the ground quality to making decisions about way of using or remediation in accordance with applicable standards, together with an assessment of their chemism and their health risks;
- Monitoring the state of environment before investments and also monitoring the state of the degraded post-industry environment (and post-mining) to make decisions about restoration or further use;
- Evaluates corrosivity of water against concrete and steel (on the basis of physical and chemical analysis) and performs tests of water used to prepare concrete, etc.
- GIS in environmental engineering and environmental management;
- Mobile measurement and analytical platforms using drones;
- Spatial databases for the environment.
The laboratory conducts research and service on the wide mineral engineering. Researches covers issues related to the identification of the chemical composition and mineral compositions and technological characteristics of the mineral and waste. The laboratory is equipped with modern digital scanning electron microscope Hitachi Model SU-3500N included with the EDS and the sputter device and Morphologi G3S-ID Malvern to analyze the size, shape and number of particles of the Raman adapter to identify the chemical composition. Laboratory is working on identification and optimization technical and technological conditions of valorization and acquisition of commercial products from minerals and waste.
We make the following laboratory tests about the technological characteristics of minerals and waste:
- Analysis of grain composition in the range of 0 - 200 mm;
- Analysis of density (density scan) coals in the full range of granulation;
- An assessment of the suitability of waste materials for hydraulic filling, road construction and hydro-technical and production of ceramics building;
- Physico - mechanical researches of binding materials (curing time, bulk density, fluidity, compressive strength and flexural strength, coefficient of softening);
- Technology research ashes and slogs from electrical power engineering to row material recovery;
- Assessment the morphological composition of municipal waste;
- Analysis of the hopper materials to liquidation coal pits;
- Research on new technologies using wastes;
- Research the materials using advanced microscopic techniques.
Experience of the staff of the laboratory and the technical equipment allows research and optimization following processes on a laboratory scale:
- Froth flotation of suspended coal and other raw materials;
- Sedimentation and refining of the suspensions;
- Conditioning and optimization of the quality parameters of mineral suspensions and sewage sludge for drainage;
- Dewatering mineral suspensions and sludge using method of pressure filtration and vacuum;
- We have the technical capabilities to carry out verification tests dewatering processes suspended sediment in the centrifuge and in the filter press in the full industrial scale.
We develop and consult:
- Concepts of enrichment technology of mineral raw materials;
- Programs of the mining wastes management;
- Instructions for the conduct of landfills;
- Applications for licenses / permits connected with waste management;
- Technologies water treatment out of mineral suspensions;
- Expertise in terms of achieving the environmental benefits of investments;
- Tools supporting the waste management.
- Physical-chemical analyses of deposit and sortment hard coals as well as of other solid fuels, such as lignite, coke, semi-coke, hard coal and lignite briquettes, solid biofuels, solid secondary fuels and mixtures of solid biofuels and a solid secondary fuels with coal;
- Technical analysis:
- Transient moisture determination Wexr,
- Moisture determination in the analytical sample Wa, (1)
- Calculating the total moisture Wtr (using Wexr and Wa),
- Determination of ash content Aa, (1)
- Determination of total sulphur content Sta (2)
- Determination of total sulphur content with the EschkiSta method, (3)
- Determination of combustion heat and the calorific value Qsa, Qir (4).
- Physical-chemical analysis:
- Determination of volatile elements Va, (1)
- Calculation the content of combustible elements (using Wa and Aa),
- Actual density determination dra, (5)
- Calculation of the fixedcarbonCfixed indicator (using the Wa, Aa and Va),
- Hardgrove's indicator of grinding susceptibility determination HGI, (6)
- Determination of the ash characteristic fusibility temperature, (7)
- Determination of the maximum capacity of the moisture absorption Wmax. (8)
- Elemental analysis:
- Determination of total carbon content Cta, (9)
- Calculation of the organic carbon content (using Cta and WCO2),
- Determination of total hydrogen content Hta (9)
- Determination of the nitrogen content Na, (9)
- Calculation of the oxygen content Oda (using the Wa, Aa, Cta, Hta, SCa),
- Determination of the carbonate CO2 content WCO2, (10)
- Calculation of the carbonate carbon content WC (using WCO2),
- Determination of sulphate sulphur (VI) SSO4a (11)
- Determination of the pyrite sulphur content Spa, (12)
- Calculation of organic sulphur in hard coal AND lignite Soa (using Sta, SSO4a and Spa),
- Determination of the ash sulphur content SAa (also using the Aa), (2)
- Calculation of combustible sulphur SCa (using the Sta and SAa),
- Determination of the chlorine content Cla, (13 and 14)
- Determination of the biodegradable fraction content. (15)
- Petrographic analysis:
- Determination of the vitrinite reflectance Ro, (16)
- Determination of the composition of groups of macerals and of mineral substance. (16)
- Analysis of coking parameters:
- Determination of the capacity of caking with the Rogi method RI, (17)
- Gray-King's determination of the type of coke GK, (18)
- Determination of the dilatometric indicators by Audibert-Arnu, (19)
- Determination of the swelling indicator SI, (20)
- Determination of the status plastic indicators according to Gieselera-Hoehnego, (21)
- Determination of plastometric properties using a plastometer with a fixed torque rotation, (22)
- Determination of plastometer icindicators according to Sapożnikow, (23)
- No pressure of the Pmax relaxation. (24)
- Coal type analysis.
- The determination of the international classification of coals.
- The designation of the international code.
- Assessment of the composition and properties of ash from coals.
- Analysis of ash and slags form utility boilers.
Other specialist tests outside accreditation:
- Composition of maceral groups and mineral substance with the semifusinite content designation. (16)
- Maceral composition. (16)
- Composition of microlithotype, carbominerite and minerite. (16)
- Maximum and minimum vitrinite reflectacne (determination of anisotropy)Rmax. (16)
- Designation of ash sulphur content in solid biofuels and solid secondary fuels. (2)
- Designation of sand content.
- Designation of losses at calcination.
- Total moisture content with the distillation method. (25)
- Apparent density.
- Forecast of coke strength with the Schapiro method for one-component coal.
- Effectiveness of low-temperature carbonization products. (26)
- Grain analysis with the screening method. (27)
- Density analysis.
- Free calcium oxide content.
- Designation of the transport susceptibility index. (28)
- Bright coal content.
- Stone content in coal.
- Magnetic weights analysis. (29)
- Heat capacity of solids.
- Spontaneous combustion indicator. (30)
- Angle of repose.
- Nitrogen content with the Kjeldahl method.
- Bulk density in coal, in coke from coal, in solid biofuel and in solid secondary fuel. (31)
- Enrichment tests. (32)
- Laboratory sieve checks.
- Production and distribution of standard and control samples.
- Analyses of solid fuels and furnance waste for the purpose of CO2 emissions;
- Waste analyses (code: 10 01 excluding 10 01 09);
- Performing analyses for arbitration samples in disputes;
- Comprehensive tests organization, in cooperation with other laboratories of the Central Mining Institute;
- Perforing proficiency testing by interlaboratory comparison of coal, solid biofuel and solid secondary fuels (33).
- Sampling of coal in accordance with the PN-0659-G-04502:2014-11 standard at the producers' and consumers' premises, within the scope of the accreditation (accreditation number AB 069) or the supervision of sampling for laboratory testing (34);
- Sampling of storage sites on the premises of the producers and consumers of solid fuels (solid biofuels, solid secondary fuels or furnace waste);
- Sampling of block train and automotive transports on the premises of producers and recipients of solid fuels, at loading or unloading (35);
- Quantitative research of solid fuels landfills (geodetic measuring, determination of volumetric and/or bulk weight);
- Checking the accuracy and precision of the collection and preparation of samples of coal by automatic samplers in accrodance with the applicable technical standard PN-G-04502:2014-11, within the scope of the accreditation (accreditation number AB 069);
- Checking the accuracy and precision of the sampling and sample preparation of solid fuels (hard coal, lignite, solid biofuel and solid secondary fuel) by automatic samplers in acordance with the applicable technical standards PN and ISO;
- Counselling at designing systems for sampling of solid fuels, solid biofuels, solid secondary fuels from technological strings and transports.
Laboratory of Mineral Processing and Waste Management conducts research and service on the wide mineral engineering. Researches covers issues related to the identification of the chemical composition and mineral compositions and technological characteristics of the mineral and waste. The laboratory is equipped with modern digital scanning electron microscope Hitachi Model SU-3500N included with the EDS and the sputter device and Morphologi G3S-ID Malvern to analyze the size, shape and number of particles of the Raman adapter to identify the chemical composition. Laboratory is working on identification and optimization technical and technological conditions of valorization and acquisition of commercial products from minerals and waste.
Experience of the staff of the laboratory and the technical equipment allows research and optimization following processes on a laboratory scale:
- Froth flotation of suspended coal and other raw materials;
- Sedimentation and refining of the suspensions;
- Conditioning and optimization of the quality parameters of mineral suspensions and sewage sludge for drainage;
- Dewatering mineral suspensions and sludge using method of pressure filtration and vacuum.
We have the technical capabilities to carry out verification tests dewatering processes suspended sediment in the centrifuge and in the filter press in the full industrial scale.
- Innovative technologies for the management of sewage sludge for realization of natural and energy goals;
- Intensification of aerobic and anaerobic sewage sludge digestion at the wastewater treatment plants;
- Technical-economic analysis of technological solution for the sewage sludge digestion;
- Environmental and legal analysis and expertises in terms of the sewage sludge management.
The Department of Solid Fuels Quality Assessment has worked continuously since 1945. Its highly skilled personnel, modern equipment and efficient management system ensure the accuracy, timeliness and reliability of the performed tests. The Department conducts tests of solid fuels, solid biofuels, solid secondary fuels, mixtures of solid biofuels and solid secondary fuels with solid fuels and of waste (code 10 01 excluding 10 01 09).
The Department has:
- The Certificate of a Research Laboratory Accreditation issued by the Polish Centre for Accreditation, confirming the meeting of the requirements of the PN-EN ISO/IEC 17025:2005 + Ap1:2007 + AC: 2007 standard (accreditation number: AB 069);
- The Certificate of Approval issued by Lloyd's Register (Poland) Sp. z o.o. on behalf of Lloyd's Register Quality Assurance Limited, certifying that the Quality Management System is in compliance with the ISO 9001:2008 standard (Certificate of Approval number: GDK0003151/Q).
The scope of activities at the Underground Research Department comprises all the issues related to the excavation of raw materials. The main direction of the research is new mining technologies, the testing of prototype equipment in underground conditions and problems connected with hazards in the underground mining environment.
Department KD-5 is not only dedicated to some mining projects but also undertakes complex tasks in almost all branches of industry, especially if the specific environment or process requires some research in the field of explosives and fire hazards.
The site of our research activity, located on two levels of the ""Barbara"" Experimental Mine, is fundamental for the department. The Subterranean infrastructure of the structure allows for the research of new technologies, solutions and prototypes of machinery and equipment in underground mining.
As regards industrial safety tests, research tunnels equipped with a modern measurement system make it possible to obtain various parameters of physical phenomena, dust and gas explosions and fires. There is also an integrated monitoring system on the surface and visualization of the development of the experiments.
The Department is currently working on some new technologies and machinery to obtain methane from coal deposits.
Future activity of the department will be related to public safety issues such as gas and explosion hazard research in enclosed areas and underground (subway tunnels, etc.) as well as military research.
- Consulting on the introduction of management systems in research laboratories;
- Developing and counselling on the implementation of sampling procedures for solid fuels and furnace waste;
- Verification of sampling plans of solid fuels and furnace waste (36);
- Validation (checking and precision determination) for sampling procedures of solid fuels and furnace waste used in power plants;
- Carrying out internal audits in research laboratories in accordance with the PN-EN ISO/IEC 17025:2005+Ap1:2007+AC: 2007 standards and other documents of the Polish Centre for Accreditation;
- Estimating losses during transport and storage.
- Assessment of the quality of solid fuels for the possibility of use in different technological processes;
- Selection, based on the database of the Information Bank, of coal for users taking into account technological and environmental conditions;
- Conducting forecast research on the quality of raw coal to adapt to the extraction programs of mines.
- Technologies for municipal and industrial wastewater treatment;
- Optimization of existing technological solutions and intensification of wastewater treatment processes;
- Evaluation of the effectiveness of water and sewage management (technical concepts and agglomerations plans).
- Water purification technologies for drinking and industrial purposes;
- Environmental and legal analysis and expertise in terms of water utilisation conditions;
- Modelling and qualitative - quantitative balancing of surface water and groundwater;
- Modelling of hydrochemical phenomena.
