ISSUE DATE: November 5, 1997

PROGRAM INFORMATION BULLETIN NO. P97-29

FROM:           KENNETH T. HOWARD
                       Director of Technical Support

                       MARVIN W. NICHOLS, JR.
                       Administrator
                             for Coal Mine Safety and Health

SUBJECT:      Gaseous Dilution Air Quantity and Particulate
                       Index for the Isuzu QD100-306 Diesel Engine

Scope
This information bulletin applies to manufacturers of underground coal mining equipment, underground coal mine operators, and Coal Mine Safety and Health (CMS&H) enforcement personnel.

Purpose
This bulletin informs the mining community that a gaseous dilution air quantity and a particulate index have been calculated in accordance with Title 30, Code of Federal Regulations (30 CFR), Part 7, Subpart E, for the Isuzu QD100-306 diesel engine. This engine is currently installed in some permissible equipment approved under 30 CFR Part 36 in use in underground coal mines. This information is made available to assist coal mine operators who use diesel-powered equipment in complying with the ventilation requirements of Section 75.325(f) and (g).

Information
The preamble to the final rule under 30 CFR Parts 7, 31, 32, 36, 70, and 75, Approval, Exhaust Gas Monitoring, and Safety Requirements for the Use of Diesel-Powered Equipment in Underground Coal Mines, states that four diesel engine models are installed in the majority of Part 36 approved permissible equipment used in underground coal mines. Laboratory tests have been conducted to determine a gaseous dilution air quantity and a particulate index for these four engines. This bulletin provides information for the Isuzu QD100-306. Three additional bulletins were published which provided similar information for the Deutz-MWM 916-6 diesel engine and for the Caterpillar 3304 PCNA and Caterpillar 3306 PCNA diesel engines.

Tests of the Isuzu QD100-306 diesel engine were conducted at the University of Minnesota, Center for Diesel Research (CDR), using the laboratory test procedures specified in Subpart E of Part 7 for a Category A type engine. The gaseous and particulate emissions were measured and the results reported by CDR to MSHA. Table 1 lists the gaseous dilution air quantity and particulate index for the Isuzu QD100-306 as determined in accordance with the technical requirements in Part 7, Subpart E, Section 7.84(c) and (e).

Table 1 -Isuzu QD100-306 Diesel Engine

MSHA has notified equipment manufacturers that new approval plates bearing the gaseous dilution air quantity specified in Table 1 can be made available to owners of Part 36 equipment currently in use in underground coal mines. Coal mine operators should utilize the dilution air quantity specified in Table 1 to develop ventilation plans that comply with the requirements of Section 75.325(f) and (g) which becomes effective on November 25, 1997.

Background
MSHA published a final rule under 30 CFR Parts 7, 31, 32, 36, 70, and 75, Approval, Exhaust Gas Monitoring, and Safety Requirements for the Use of Diesel-Powered Equipment in Underground Coal Mines, on October 25, 1996. Section 75.1907(b)(4) requires that as of November 25, 1997, a particulate index and dilution air quantity for the gaseous emissions be determined for the Part 36 permissible equipment in accordance with Subpart E of Part 7. The gaseous dilution air quantity shall be inscribed on the machine approval plate and used in accordance with Section 75.325(f) and (g).

The new engine approval requirements establish test procedures for determining the gaseous and particulate emissions. Using this data, a ventilating air requirement and a particulate index are determined. The ventilating air requirement computed under the new regulation differs from the ventilating air requirement currently on the approval plate. The revised ventilating air requirement is intended to be used by mine operators to comply with the ventilation regulations for diesel-powered equipment which are effective on November 25, 1997.

Authority
30 CFR 75.1907(b)(4) and 75.325(f) and (g).

Issuing Office and Contact Person
Technical Support, Approval and Certification Center
George P. Saseen, (304) 547-2072

Coal Mine Safety and Health, Safety Division
Cheryl McGill (703) 235-1915

Distribution
MSHA Coal and All-Volume Program Policy Manual Holders
Underground Coal Mine Operators
Coal Independent Contractors
Mining Product Manufacturers
Coal Special Interest Groups