Mining Publication: The Effects of Passive Diesel Particulate Filters on Diesel Particulate Matter Concentrations in Two Underground Metal/Nonmetal Mines
Original creation date: June 2010
In 2008, the final rule limiting the personal exposure of underground metal/non-metal miners to diesel particulate matter (DPM) went into effect. In response, metal/non-metal mines are implementing a variety of control technologies to comply with this rule. Two mines have implemented a control strategy where a majority of their larger vehicles, which emit most of the particulate, were retrofitted with passive diesel particulate filters (DPFs). In addition to the DPFs, one mine increased ventilation to dilute the DPM concentrations. A second mine used a combination of DPFs, biodiesel fuel, flow-through particulate filters, ventilation, and enclosed cabs to limit the exposure to DPM to miners. In this study, NIOSH measured the atmospheric concentrations of DPM and gases in these two mines in order to evaluate the effects of the control strategies on the atmospheric DPM concentrations. The results showed that the DPFs substantially reduced the particulate emissions, and in general, the DPM concentrations were below the final limit. However, the DPM concentrations were occasionally over the final limit in areas where vehicles without DPFs were operating and in some areas with lower ventilation rates. These findings indicate that in a few areas of the mine, additional controls such as increased ventilation may be needed to reduce the DPM concentrations below the final limit. NIOSH was also interested in the atmospheric nitrogen dioxide (NO2) concentrations in these mines, since some passive DPFs can increase NO2 concentrations. The measured NO2 concentrations did not exceed 5 part per million (ppm) (ACGIH STEL) at these mines.
Authors: JD Noll, SE Mischler, E Cauda, LD Patts, SJ Janisko, RH Grau
Conference Paper - June 2010
NIOSHTIC2 Number: 20037653
Proceedings of the 13th U.S./North American Mine Ventilation Symposium, Sudbury, Ontario, Canada, June 13-16, 2010. Hardcastle S, McKinnon DL, eds., Sudbury, Ontario, Canada: MIRARCO - Mining Innovation, 2010; :83-89
See Also
- DEEP Project on Evaluation of Diesel Particulate Filters at Inco's Stobie Mine
- Diesel Emissions Control Technologies in Coal Mines
- Effectiveness of Selected Diesel Particulate Matter Control Technologies for Underground Mining Applications: Isolated Zone Study, 2004
- Effects of Diesel Exhaust Aftertreatment Devices on Concentrations and Size Distribution of Aerosols in Underground Mine Air
- Effects of Sintered Metal Diesel Particulate Filter System on Diesel Aerosols and Nitric Oxides in Mine Air
- Evaluation of the SKC® DPM Cassette for Monitoring Diesel Particulate Matter in Coal Mines
- Mutagenicity of Diesel Exhaust Particles from an Engine with Differing Exhaust After Treatments
- Noranda Inc. - Brunswick Mine Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF) Field Study
- Performance Evaluation of Diesel Particulate Filter Technology in the Underground Environment
- Sampling Results of the Improved SKC® Diesel Particulate Matter Cassette
- Page last reviewed: 3/30/2017
- Page last updated: 9/21/2012
- Content source: National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Mining Program