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Kray Luxbacher

  • Department Head, Mining and Geological Engineering
  • Professor
  • Leadership Chair, Gregory H and Lisa S Boyce - Mining & Geological Engineering
  • Member of the Graduate Faculty
Contact
  • (520) 621-6063
  • Mines And Metallurgy, Rm. 235
  • Tucson, AZ 85721
  • kraylux@arizona.edu
  • Bio
  • Interests
  • Courses
  • Scholarly Contributions

Degrees

  • Graduate Certificate Engineering Education
    • Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia, United States
  • Ph.D. Mining Engineering
    • Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia, United States
    • Time-lapse Passive Seismic Velocity Tomography of Longwall Coal Mines: A Comparison of Methods 
  • M.S. Mining Engineering
    • Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia, United States
    • Four-Dimensional Passive Velocity Tomography of a Longwall Panel 
  • B.S. Mining Engineering
    • Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia, United States

Licensure & Certification

  • Professional Engineer, Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation (2008)

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Interests

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Courses

2025-26 Courses

  • Health+Safety In Mining
    MNE 526 (Fall 2025)
  • Health+Safety in Mining
    MNE 426 (Fall 2025)
  • Honors Thesis
    MNE 498H (Fall 2025)
  • Senior Capstone
    MNE 498 (Fall 2025)

2024-25 Courses

  • Internship
    MNE 593 (Summer I 2025)
  • Fractures Rock+Brtl Mat
    MNE 580 (Spring 2025)
  • Honors Thesis
    MNE 498H (Spring 2025)
  • Independent Study
    MNE 699 (Spring 2025)
  • Senior Capstone
    MNE 498 (Spring 2025)
  • Dissertation
    MNE 920 (Fall 2024)
  • Health+Safety In Mining
    MNE 526 (Fall 2024)
  • Health+Safety in Mining
    MNE 426 (Fall 2024)
  • Honors Thesis
    MNE 498H (Fall 2024)
  • Intro to Mining Engineering
    MNE 205 (Fall 2024)
  • Senior Capstone
    MNE 498 (Fall 2024)
  • Thesis
    MNE 910 (Fall 2024)
  • Underground Mine Safety
    MNE 297A (Fall 2024)

2023-24 Courses

  • Independent Study
    MNE 399 (Summer I 2024)
  • Internship
    MNE 493 (Summer I 2024)
  • Elements of Solution Mining
    MNE 450 (Spring 2024)
  • Elements of Solution Mining
    MNE 550 (Spring 2024)
  • Honors Thesis
    MNE 498H (Spring 2024)
  • Independent Study
    MNE 699 (Spring 2024)
  • Internship
    MNE 493 (Spring 2024)
  • Senior Capstone
    MNE 498 (Spring 2024)
  • Thesis
    MNE 910 (Spring 2024)
  • Graduate Seminar
    MNE 696A (Fall 2023)
  • Honors Thesis
    MNE 498H (Fall 2023)
  • Intro Engr Design
    ENGR 102B (Fall 2023)
  • Intro to Mining Engineering
    MNE 205 (Fall 2023)
  • Senior Capstone
    MNE 498 (Fall 2023)
  • Techn Trnds Min Res Engr
    MNE 396A (Fall 2023)
  • Thesis
    MNE 910 (Fall 2023)
  • Underground Mine Safety
    MNE 297A (Fall 2023)

2022-23 Courses

  • Independent Study
    MNE 399 (Summer I 2023)
  • Internship
    MNE 593 (Summer I 2023)

Related Links

UA Course Catalog

Scholarly Contributions

Chapters

  • Stinnette, J. D., & Luxbacher, K. (2021). An innovative methodology for the assessment and maintenance of e-learning courses using the Community of Inquiry model. In Mine Ventilation(pp 379--385). CRC Press.

Journals/Publications

  • Baris, K., Keles, C., Ripepi, N., Luxbacher, K., Karmis, M., & Gurpinar, S. (2022). MODELING OF CBM RECOVERY IN THE AMASRA COALFIELD, TURKEY.
  • Barros-Daza, M. J., Luxbacher, K. D., Lattimer, B. Y., & Hodges, J. L. (2022). Fire Size and Response Time Predictions in Underground Coal Mines Using Neural Networks. Mining, Metallurgy \& Exploration, 39(3), 1087--1098.
  • Barros-Daza, M. J., Luxbacher, K. D., Lattimer, B. Y., & Hodges, J. L. (2022). Mine conveyor belt fire classification. Journal of fire sciences, 40(1), 44--69.
  • Barros-Daza, M. J., Luxbacher, K. D., Lattimer, B. Y., & Hodges, J. L. (2022). Real time mine fire classification to support firefighter decision making. Fire Technology, 58(3), 1545--1578.
  • Diaz, J., Agioutantis, Z., Hristopulos, D. T., Schafrik, S., & Luxbacher, K. (2022). Time series modeling of methane gas in underground mines. Mining, Metallurgy \& Exploration, 1--22.
  • Fahrman, B., Westman, E., Karfakis, M., & Luxbacher, K. (2022). Optimization of Geophone Array for Monitoring Geologic Carbon Sequestration Using Double-Difference Tomography.
  • Luxbacher, K., & Stinnette, J. D. (2021). An innovative methodology for the assessment and maintenance of e-learning courses using the Community of Inquiry model.
  • Haghighat, A., & Luxbacher, K. (2019). Determination of critical parameters in the analysis of road tunnel fires. International Journal of Mining Science and Technology, 29(2), 187--198.
  • Hodges, J. L., Lattimer, B. Y., & Luxbacher, K. D. (2019). Compartment fire predictions using transpose convolutional neural networks. Fire Safety Journal, 108, 102854.
  • Luxbacher, K. (2019). Metal Mining Automation and Advanced Technologies Workgroup.
  • Haghighat, A., & Luxbacher, K. (2018). Tenability analysis for improvement of firefighters’ performance in a methane fire event at a coal mine working face. Journal of Fire Sciences, 36(3), 256--274.
  • Haghighat, A., Luxbacher, K., & Lattimer, B. Y. (2018). Development of a methodology for interface boundary selection in the multiscale road tunnel fire simulations. Fire technology, 54(4), 1029--1066.
  • Watkins, E., Luxbacher, K., & Jong, E. (2018). Development, testing and proposed application of multiple passive source tracers for underground mine ventilation systems.. Mining Engineering, 70(2).
  • Louk, K., Ripepi, N., Luxbacher, K., Gilliland, E., Tang, X. u., Keles, C., Schlosser, C., Diminick, E. d., Keim, S., Amante, J., & others, . (2017). Monitoring CO2 storage and enhanced gas recovery in unconventional shale reservoirs: Results from the Morgan County, Tennessee injection test. Journal of Natural Gas Science and Engineering, 45, 11--25.
  • Tang, X. u., Ripepi, N., Luxbacher, K., & Pitcher, E. (2017). Adsorption models for methane in shales: Review, comparison, and application. Energy \& Fuels, 31(10), 10787--10801.
  • Xu, G., Luxbacher, K. D., Ragab, S., Xu, J., & Ding, X. (2017). Computational fluid dynamics applied to mining engineering: a review. International Journal of Mining, Reclamation and Environment, 31(4), 251--275.
  • Baris, K., Keles, C., Ripepi, N., Luxbacher, K., Gurpinar, S., & Karmis, M. (2016). The first commercial coal bed methane project in Turkey-Reservoir simulation and prefeasibility study for the Amasra coalfield. International Journal of Oil Gas and Coal Technology, 13(2), 170--199.
  • Haghighat, A., Luxbacher, K., & Lattimer, B. (2016). Simulation of methane fire event at a coal mine working face with consideration of ventilation curtain damage. Trans Soc Min Metall Explor, 340, 120--126.
  • Jong, E. C., Luxbacher, K. D., Karmis, M. E., & Westman, E. C. (2016). Field test of a perfluoromethylcyclohexane (PMCH) permeation plug release vessel (PPRV) in an underground longwall mine. Mining Technology, 125(2), 65--70.
  • Jong, E. C., Restrepo, J. A., Luxbacher, K. D., Kirsch, P. A., Mitra, R., Hebblewhite, B. K., & Schafrik, S. J. (2016). Risk management: Adapting Riskgate for underground coal mines in the United States.. Mining Engineering, 68(3).
  • Xu, G., Jong, E. C., Luxbacher, K. D., & McNair, H. M. (2016). Effective utilization of tracer gas in characterization of underground mine ventilation networks. Process safety and environmental protection, 99, 1--10.
  • Brashear, K. T., Luxbacher, K., Amante, J., & Ripepi, N. (2015). The movement of perfluoromethylcyclohexane (PMCH) as a tracer gas through seal material used in underground coal mines.
  • Haghighat, A., Gillies, S., & Luxbacher, K. (2015). Behavior of Flow Through Mine Elbows and Louvers.
  • Jong, E. C., & Luxbacher, K. D. (2015). An evaluation of a perfluoromethylcyclohexane (PMCH) permeation plug release vessel (PPRV) in a controlled turbulent environment. International Journal of Mining Science and Technology, 25(2), 243--251.
  • Jong, E. C., Macek, P. V., Perera, I. E., Luxbacher, K. D., & McNair, H. M. (2015). An ultra-trace analysis technique for SF6 using gas chromatography with negative ion chemical ionization mass spectrometry. Journal of chromatographic science, 53(6), 854--859.
  • Jong, E. C., Peng, Y., Bradley, W. T., Luxbacher, K. D., Agioutantis, Z., & McNair, H. M. (2015). Development of a perfluoromethylcyclohexane (PMCH) permeation plug release vessel (PPRV) for tracer gas studies in underground mines. Process Safety and Environmental Protection, 95, 136--145.
  • Underwood, S. W., Jong, E. C., Luxbacher, K. D., Sarver, E. A., Ripepi, N. S., & McNair, H. M. (2015). Solid phase microextraction (SPME) sampling under turbulent conditions and for the simultaneous collecting of tracer gases. International Journal of Mining Science and Technology, 25(4), 559--563.
  • Xu, G., Jong, E. C., Luxbacher, K. D., Ragab, S. A., & Karmis, M. E. (2015). Remote characterization of ventilation systems using tracer gas and CFD in an underground mine. Safety science, 74, 140--149.
  • Agioutantis, Z., Luxbacher, K., Karmis, M., & Schafrik, S. (2014). Development of an atmospheric data-management system for underground coal mines. Journal of the Southern African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy, 114(12), 1059--1063.
  • Brashear, K. T., Luxbacher, K. D., Westman, E. C., Harwood, C. P., Lusk, B., & Weitzel, W. (2014). Assessment of Sonic Waves and Tracer Gases as Non-Destructive Testing Methods to Evaluate the Condition and Integrity of In Situ Underground Mine Seals.
  • Fahrman, B., Westman, E., Karfakis, M., & Luxbacher, K. (2014). Optimization of geophone array for monitoring geologic carbon sequestration using double-difference tomography. Journal of Energy Resources Technology, 136(1).
  • Harwood, C. P., Lusk, B., Luxbacher, K. D., & Weitzel, W. (2014). Non-Destructive Testing of In Situ Underground Mine Seals: Preliminary GPR Assessment.
  • Ju, Y., Luxbacher, K., Li, X., Wang, G., Yan, Z., Wei, M., & Yu, L. (2014). Micro-structural evolution and their effects on physical properties in different types of tectonically deformed coals. International Journal of Coal Science \& Technology, 1(3), 364--375.
  • Huang, X., Luo, Y., & Luxbacher, K. (2013). Comments on" Coal workers' pneumoconiosis prevalence disparity between Australia and the United States".. Mining Engineering, 65(2).
  • Keim, S. A., Luxbacher, K. D., & Karmis, M. E. (2013). Sustainable Degasification Strategies: A Case Study in the Oinshui Basin of China. Environmental Considerations in Energy Production, 153.
  • Slaker, B., Westman, E., Luxbacher, K., & Ripepi, N. (2013). Application of Double-Difference Seismic Tomography to Carbon Sequestration Monitoring at the Aneth Oil Field, Utah. Minerals, 3(4), 352--366.
  • Xu, G., Luxbacher, K. D., Ragab, S., & Schafrik, S. (2013). Development of a remote analysis method for underground ventilation systems using tracer gas and CFD in a simplified laboratory apparatus. Tunnelling and underground space technology, 33, 1--11.
  • Patterson, R., & Luxbacher, K. (2012). Tracer gas applications in mining and implications for improved ventilation characterisation. International Journal of Mining, Reclamation and Environment, 26(4), 337--350.
  • Westman, E., Luxbacher, K., & Schafrik, S. (2012). Passive seismic tomography for three-dimensional time-lapse imaging of mining-induced rock mass changes. The Leading Edge, 31(3), 338--345.
  • Keim, S. A., Luxbacher, K. D., & Karmis, M. (2011). A numerical study on optimization of multilateral horizontal wellbore patterns for coalbed methane production in Southern Shanxi Province, China. International Journal of Coal Geology, 86(4), 306--317.
  • Luxbacher, E. (2011). A preliminary study of the application of Background Oriented Schlieren (BOS) for the qualitative imaging of methane emissions from coal. International Journal of Mining and Mineral Engineering, 3(2), 95--108.
  • Luxbacher, K. (2011). Mining. Americas Quarterly, 5(1), 110.
  • Patterson, R., Jackson, K., Luxbacher, K., McNair, H., & Boggess, R. (2011). Comparing tracer gas sampling methods in underground mines using solid-phase microextraction (SPME) fibers.. Mining Engineering, 63(6).
  • Patterson, R., Jackson, K., Luxbacher, K., McNair, H., & Boggess, R. (2011). Technical Papers (peer-reviewed and approved)-Comparing tracer gas sampling methods in underground mines using SPME fibers. Mining Engineering, 63(6), 109.
  • Jong, E. C., & Luxbacher, K. D. (2010). Application of Schlieren techniques for improved understanding of underground mine ventilation.
  • Karacan, C. \., & Luxbacher, K. (2010). Stochastic modeling of gob gas venthole production performances in active and completed longwall panels of coal mines. International Journal of Coal Geology, 84(2), 125--140.
  • Patterson, R. R., Bowling JR, ., Xu, G., & Luxbacher, K. D. (2010). Designing an experimental apparatus for the testing of novel tracer gases in underground mines.
  • Luxbacher, K., Westman, E., Swanson, P., & Karfakis, M. (2008). Three-dimensional time-lapse velocity tomography of an underground longwall panel. International Journal of Rock Mechanics and Mining Sciences, 45(4), 478--485.
  • Luxbacher, K., Westman, E., & Swanson, P. (2007). Time-lapse tomography of a longwall panel: A comparison of location schemes.

Proceedings Publications

  • Lattimer, A. M., Lattimer, B. Y., Gugercin, S., Borggaard, J. T., & Luxbacher, K. D. (2016). High Fidelity Reduced Order Models for Wildland Fires. In Proceedings for the 5th International Fire Behavior and Fuels Conference, Portland, OR, USA.
  • Lattimer, A., Borggaard, J., Gugercin, S., Luxbacher, K., & Lattimer, B. (2016). Computationally efficient wildland fire spread models. In Proceedings of the 14th international fire science \& engineering conference.
  • Jong, E., Sarver, E. A., Schafrik, S. J., Luxbacher, K. D., & others, . (2015). Proceedings of the 15th North American Mine Ventilation Symposium. In North American Mine Ventilation Symposium.
  • Restrepo, J., Luxbacher, K., Ripepi, N., Schafrik, S., Kirsch, P., Shi, M., Mitra, R., & Hebblewhite, B. (2015). Barriers and incentives: the application of comprehensive risk management in the US underground coal mining industry. In Society for Mining, Metallurgy and Exploration Annual Meeting, Society for Mining, Metallurgy \& Exploration, Englewood.
  • Griffin, K. R., Luxbacher, K. D., Schafrik, S. J., & Karmis, M. E. (2012). Comprehensive ventilation simulation of atmospheric monitoring sensors in underground coal mines. In Proc. 14th US/North American Mine Ventilation Symposium.
  • Jong, E., Underwood, S., Xu, G., Luxbacher, K., & McNair, H. (2012). A technique for creating perfluorocarbon tracer (PFT) calibration curves for tracer gas studies. In 14th US/North American Mine Ventilation Symposium.
  • Westman, E. C., Luxbacher, K. D., Schafrik, S. J., Swanson, P. I., & Zhang, H. (2012). Time-lapse passive seismic velocity tomography of longwall coal mines: a comparison of methods. In 46th US Rock Mechanics/Geomechanics Symposium.
  • Xu, G., Jong, E., Luxbacher, K., & Ragab, S. (2012). Computational fluid dynamics study of tracer gas dispersion in a mine after different ventilation damage scenarios. In 2012 SME Annual Meeting and Exhibit 2012, SME 2012, Meeting Preprints.
  • Griffin, K. R., Jong, E. C., Luxbacher, K. D., & Westman, E. C. (2011). A review of atmospheric monitoring systems in underground coal mines: implications for explosion prevention. In SME Annual Meeting.
  • Schafrik, S. J., Luxbacher, M. K., & Karmis, M. (2011). Wireless mesh communication systems optimization in underground coal. In 2011 SME Annual Meeting, SME Preprint.
  • Xu, G., Bowling, J., Luxbacher, K., & Ragab, S. (2011). Computational fluid dynamics simulations and experimental validation of tracer gas distribution in an experimental underground mine. In SME Annual Meeting and Exhibit and CMA 113th National Western Mining Conference 2011.
  • Luxbacher, K. D., Erdogan, S. S., & others, . (2009). Modeling Methane Emissions and Ventilation Needs by Examination of Mining Induced Permeability Changes and Related Damage to Ventilation Controls. In 43rd US Rock Mechanics Symposium \& 4th US-Canada Rock Mechanics Symposium.
  • Westman, E. C., Luxbacher, K. D., & Swanson, P. L. (2008). Local earthquake tomography for imaging mining-induced changes within the overburden above a longwall mine. In The 42nd US Rock Mechanics Symposium (USRMS).
  • Westman, E., & Luxbacher, K. (2008). Seismic tomography, an ideal but immature tool for coal bump prediction. In Proceedings of the 27th International Conference on Ground Control in Mining.

Others

  • Luxbacher, K. D. (2008). Time-lapse passive seismic velocity tomography of longwall coal mines: a comparison of methods.
  • Luxbacher, K. D. (2005). Four-Dimensional Passive Velocity Tomography of a Longwall Panel.

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