Modularized design of coal-mine paste filling station based on fuzzy theory

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to study a modular method for designing a paste filling station (PFS) for a coal mine (CM) to reduce the PFS’s input cost and achieve reutilization.

Design/methodology/approach

Modular design criteria for the PFS are proposed and a modular division (MDiv) model and an evaluation method are established. The correlation-strength matrix of the PFS parts expressed in the form of rough numbers is transformed into a fuzzy equivalent matrix. The theory of rough sets and the fuzzy clustering method are introduced for PFS MDiv. The evaluating method is established for the PFS MDiv scheme based on the principle of fuzzy comprehensive evaluation.

Findings

Taking a particular CM PFS as an example, the above method is used to modularize the PFS, and the optimal division of the PFS is finally determined via the above evaluation system. Applying this method solves the problem of high cost investment in the initial stage of PFS construction.

Originality/value

The theory of rough sets and the fuzzy clustering method are introduced for PFS MDiv. An evaluating method is established for the PFS MDiv scheme based on the principle of fuzzy comprehensive evaluation, thereby providing new ideas for PFS transformation and reutilization.

Citation

Wang, G., Yang, L. and Zhang, Y.S. (2018), "Modularized design of coal-mine paste filling station based on fuzzy theory", World Journal of Engineering, Vol. 15 No. 6, pp. 743-750. https://doi.org/10.1108/WJE-01-2018-0006