NIOSHTIC-2 No. 20030293


The Effects of Water Emulsified Fuel on Diesel Particulate Matter Concentrations in Underground Mines

2006

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In this study, we evaluated the ambient diesel particulate matter (DPM) concentrations (at the intakes and exhausts of the mine) as the entire vehicle fleet of a stone mine switched from using 35% biodiesel to a water-emulsified fuel (PuriNOx). Elemental carbon (EC) was reduced by 45% when a PuriNOx blend containing 10% water replaced 35% biodiesel and by 57% when a PuriNOx blend containing 20% water was used. Other factors such as engine duty cycle and production changes could potentially cause some day-to-day EC fluctuations, and no direct comparison to commonly used diesel fuels (No. 1 or No. 2) was achieved. Therefore, a second study was performed in a controlled "isolated zone" environment of a metal mine comparing PuriNOx to No. 1 diesel fuel in a load-haul-dump vehicle. The EC fraction of the DPM was reduced by about 71% when the PuriNOx blend containing 10% water was used and by about 85% when the PuriNOx blend containing 20% water was used. This study did not determine how the water-emulsified fuel would affect the engine or power.

Author(s):Noll-JD, Mischler-SE, Patts-LD, Schnakenberg-GH, Bugarski-AD, Timko-RJ, Love-G
Reference:In: Mutmansky JM, Ramani RV. eds. Proceedings of the 11th U.S./North American Mine Ventilation Symposium (University Park, PA, June 5-7, 2006). London, UK: Taylor & Francis Group; :159-164

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Page last updated: September 17, 2008
Content Source: National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Mining Division