Quality Control - Health and Safety in the Mineral Industry

Laboratory staff

Prof. Michail Galetakis
Director | (+30) 2821037616 | mgaletakis<at>tuc.gr

Stella Raka
Special Technical Laboratory Staff | (+30) 2821006220 | sraka<at>tuc.gr
Mineral Resources Engineer, MSc.

Anthoula Vasiliou
Research Associate | (+30) 2821037673 | avasileiou<at>tuc.gr
Mineral Resources Engineer, MSc.

Labortory objective

Supports teaching and research needs of the School of Mineral Resources Engineering in the fields of Quality Control and Health and Safety in the Mineral Industry (mines, quarries, underground constructions).

Infrastructure

Laboratory equipment for Quality Control (mainly for aggregates used in concrete)

• Mixer for concrete mortars, EN 196/1
• Flow table for mortars ΕΝ 459-2, ΕΝ1015-3
• Vicat apparatus for time and consistency, EN 196.3
• Air entrainment meter for cement mortar specimens, EN 413/2
• Three gang moulds for cubes 50mm and prisms 40X40X160mm, EN 196/1
• Jolting apparatus for cement mortars, EN 196/1
• Curing cabinet for concrete and cement mortar specimens, EN 196/1
• Loading cells for determination of compressive strength according to EN 12390/1, EN 12390/2,)
• Loading cells for determination of flexural strength according to EN 196/01 (three point load test)
• Loading cells for determination of compressive strength according to ASTM C109 (specimens 50x50x50mm³)
• Plaster extensionmeter, UNI 6782/ BS 1191
• Apparatus for measurement of length changes-shrinkage
• CBC SERIES CLIMATIC CHAMBER for artificial aging
• Sieves, EN 933-1, EN 933-2
• Bulk cement sampler
• Flow tiem determination (V-funnel test) according to ΕΝ 933-6
• Blaine air permeability (fineness) apparatus EN 196/6
• Apparatus for the sand equivalent test
• Apparatus for the Methylene Blue test
• Electromagnetic sieves
• Length gauges for flakiness and elongation index of coarse aggregates
• Portable apparatus for measuring the humidity
• Schmidt hammers (analogue and digital) suitable for testing concrete, cement mortars and rocks. Anvil for calibration of Schmidt hammers
• Furnace for determination of loss ignition, EN 196-2, 196-21, 459-2
• Electronic balance (dual range).

Laboratory equipment for sampling and measurement of occupational hazards

• System for sampling and measurement of airborne pollutants (particulates, gases and vapour) consisting of air sampling pumps with adequate accessories (Particulate Samplers, Dust Samplers, Cyclones, Impactors, and IOMs chargers, Calibrators, Filters)
• Integrating sound level meter, personal sound exposure meter and dual level calibrator
• Digital light (lux) meter, multi-meter and portable broadband (electric/magnetic, radio/microwave) meter
• Vane-thermo-anemometer, temperature/humidity meter for the measurement of WBGT
• Portable apparatus for gas measurements: Ο₂, LEL, CO and H₂S
• Precision balance of 5 digits
• SVAN 106 vibration meter for hand arm and whole body
• Real-time aerosol/datalogger with aerodynamic sizing for PM10, PM2.5, PM1

Research and Development Projects

Research Projects

1. Characterization and evaluation of quarry dust. Founded by Asphaltiki A.E. Duration: 2001-2002.

2. Investigation of the possibility of production of building stones. Funded by Asphaltiki AE. Duration: 2002-2003.

3. Statistical analysis of the on-line analysers’ measurements in the mines of Ptolemaes region. Funded by PPC, program “On-line analysis of coal, Coal Research of RFCS”, Duration: 2002-2003.

4. Estimation of the reliability the on-line ash analysers in the mines of Megalopolis area. Funded by PPC, program “On-line analysis of coal, Coal Research of RFCS”. Duration: 2003-2005.

5. Quality improvement of mortars and building materials produced by FHL Kyriakidis company by using experimental factorial design. Program CRINNO–RENTS. Duration: 2005.

6.  Investigation of the effect of lignite ash composition to the accuracy of the on-line ash analyser and development of techniques for the improvement of its accuracy. Funded by the Research Committee of Technical University of Crete (ELKE). Duration: 2005-2006.

7. Utilization of ultrafine quarry dust for the production of ecological building elements. Funded by the General Secretary of Research and Technology, Program 05PAVET167. Duration: 2006-2007.

8. The use of ultrafine quarry dust for the production of Self Compacted micro (μ) Concrete (SCμC). An experimental approach. Funded by the Research Committee of Technical University of Crete (ELKE). Duration: 2008-2010.

9. Sampling and measurement of inhalable and respirable inert and fibrogenic airborne dust in Greek quarries. Funded by Ergoprolipsis Ο.Ε. Duration: 2008 – 2009.

10. Noise measurement and mapping in the area of a military airport (115 PM). Funded by the Ministry of Defense. Duration: 2009.

11. Development of a framework for the risk management in aggregate quarries. Funded by Ergoprolipsis Ο.Ε. Duration: 2010.

12. Measurement of occupational physical and chemical hazards in industrial areas. Funded by Ergoprolipsis Ο.Ε. Duration: 2010-2011.

13. Strategic study for the development of good practices towards the improvement of working environment in Greek Enterprises. Funded by STEGI of Hellenic Federation of Enterprises. Duration 2011-2012.

14. Recycling of quarry dust and construction and demolition wastes for the production of novel ecological building elements- DURECOBEL. Funded by the General Secretary of Research and Technology, Program COOPERATION 2011. Duration: 2013-2015.

15. Development of Mathematical Predictive Model coupled with Neural Network smoothing algorithms to Optimize Operating Conditions and Improve Energy Efficiency of Rotary Kiln and Electric Arc Furnaces in Ferronickel Production Plants (MANNFENI). Funded by the General Secretary of Research and Technology, Program COOPERATION 2011. Duration: 2013-2015.

16. Bucket wheel excavators operating under difficult mining conditions including unmineable inclusions and geological structures with excessive mining resistance (BEWEXMIN).  Funded by the European Commission, Research Fund for Steel and Coal. Duration: 2015-2018.

17. Risk assessment of final pits during flooding (RAFF). Funded by the European Commission, Research Fund for Steel and Coal. Duration: 2019-2022, Grant Agreement Number 847299.

18. July 2023-December 2026. Ecological rehabilitation and long term monitoring of post mining areas (REECOL), funded by the European Commission, Research Fund for Steel and Coal, Grant Agreement Number 101112657, https://reecol.komag.eu/

Development Projects

1. EPEAEK – Undergraduate Program of School of Mineral Resources Engineering (development, Greek Ministry of Education)
2. EPEAEK – Graduate Program of School of Mineral Resources Engineering (development, Greek Ministry of Education)

Research Results/Products

• Standardization of measurements of mechanical properties of rocks
• Optimization of testing procedures
• Numerical modeling in geomechanics
• Software development for mining applications
• Software development for geomechanical applications