U.S. Department of
Labor
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Mine Safety and Health Administration
1100 Wilson Boulevard
Arlington, Virginia 22209-3939
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ISSUE DATE: JUNE 23, 2003
PROGRAM INFORMATION BULLETIN NO. P03-13
FROM: RAY McKINNEY 
Administrator for
Coal Mine Safety and Health
 MARK E. SKILES 
Director of Technical Support
SUBJECT: Diesel Particulate Filter Use and Diesel Particulate Equipment
Maintenance Information for Underground Coal Mines
Who Needs this information?
This Program Information Bulletin affects underground coal mine operators using diesel-powered equipment, manufacturers of diesel-powered underground mining equipment (including manufacturers of exhaust aftertreatment devices and systems), miners' representatives, and Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) personnel.
Why is MSHA issuing this bulletin?
MSHA is issuing this bulletin to provide information on diesel particulate filters (DPF) to control diesel particulate matter (DPM) and to assist underground coal mine operators in developing a DPM control and compliance strategy.
What machines need DPFs?
Part 36 permissible machines, nonpermissible heavy-duty machines, generators, and compressors generally must be equipped with DPFs to meet the requirements in 30 CFR Sections 72.500 and 72.501 over a phased-in schedule. This bulletin should be utilized in conjunction with PIB Number P03-15 on "Compliance with Diesel Particulate Matter Standard in Underground Coal Mines for Nonpermissable Heavy-Duty Diesel-Powered Equipment, Generators and Compressors."
Where can I obtain DPFs?
Manufacturers of Part 36 permissible machines generally specify a DPM filter for these machines. The installation of filters on Part 36 equipment requires that either the machine manufacturer obtain an MSHA approval or that the mine operator obtain an
MSHA field modification. Machine manufacturers may also be able to provide filter recommendations for their nonpermissible heavy-duty equipment.
Filter manufacturers can also assist mine operators in choosing filters for both permissible and nonpermissible machines. MSHA has a list of acceptable filters on our web site "Diesel Particulate Matter (DPM) Control Technologies" (http://www.msha.gov/01-995/Coal/DPM-FilterEfflist.pdf).
It is very important to follow both the machine and filter manufacturer's recommendations in choosing, installing, and maintaining the aftertreatment device.
What factors affect the use of DPFs?
The key to the successful introduction of DPFs at a mine is the designation of a site "Champion" for the project. This person should have specific knowledge of DPFs and emission control technology, foster a teamwork approach with machine operators and maintenance personnel, and be fully supported by mine management.
The successful application of a DPF is primarily determined by the concentration of DPM produced by the engine. The filter must be adequately sized for the engine's DPM emissions. For passive regenerating filters, the engine's exhaust gas temperatures also affect successful application. Passive regenerating filters will only work if the exhaust gas temperatures, determined by the machine's duty cycle, are high enough, for long enough periods of time, for the regeneration process to take place.
Maintenance, and especially "engine-based" maintenance, is key to successful DPF use. Excessive DPM emissions will result from engines that are poorly maintained and the DPFs will clog quickly.
The following points should be considered in developing a DPF program at your mine:
Choice of filter type .
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Type of Filter
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Advantages
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Disadvantages
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Precautions
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Combustible
“Paper”
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High
filtration efficiency, low initial cost.
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Limited
service life.
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Must
only be used with cooled exhaust gas.
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Fire-Resistant
“Paper”
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High
filtration efficiency.
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Limited
service life.
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Must
only be used with cooled exhaust gas.
DPM, oil, and unburned fuel on filter could ignite at high
temperatures.
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Silicon
Carbide
Ceramic
Filter
87%
efficiency
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Reusable.
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High
initial cost.
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Can be
damaged by vibration. Support material
may be damaged by water.
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Cordierite
Ceramic
Filter
85%
efficiency
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Reusable.
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High
initial cost. More prone to melting
than Silicon Carbide.
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Can be
damaged by vibration. Support material
may be damaged by water.
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Ceramic
Filter- Bare
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Reusable.
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Unlikely
to regenerate. Must be actively
regenerated if exhaust temperature does not exceed 550°C (1022°F) for 30% of
time.
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Does
not reduce CO or hydrocarbons like catalyzed ceramic filters.
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Ceramic
Filter- Base Metal Catalyzed
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Reusable. Can passively regenerate.
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Must be
actively regenerated if exhaust temperature does not exceed 420°C (788°F) for
30% of time.
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Uncontrolled
regeneration possible.
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Ceramic
Filter- Platinum Lightly Catalyzed with fuel additive
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Reusable. Can passively regenerate.
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Must be
actively regenerated if exhaust temperature does not exceed 330°C (626°F) for
30% of time.
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Uncontrolled
regeneration possible.
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Ceramic
Filter-Platinum Heavily Catalyzed
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Reusable. Can passively regenerate.
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Must be
actively regenerated if exhaust temperature does not exceed 365°C (690°F) for
30% of time. Produces high levels of
NO2.
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Uncontrolled
regeneration possible. Use of these
filters is restricted, see PIB-02-07 and PIB-03-15.
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Modern, electronically controlled engine designs produce less mass of DPM on a gram/hour (g/hr) basis than older, mechanically controlled engines.
Engines, properly maintained to their manufacturer's specifications, produce significantly less mass of DPM on a g/hr basis. Check for:
clogged air filters (also, leaks in the air intake system can allow dust to enter the engine and wear out engine components).
proper fuel injection rate, particularly when fuel deration is needed for operation
at high elevations.
properly set fuel injection timing.
properly operating fuel injection system including fuel filters, water separators, fuel pumps, and fuel injectors.
properly operating electronic engine controls (engine manufacturers' authorized representatives can run computer programming checks on the engine).
high oil consumption.
increased Carbon Monoxide (CO) emissions (monitoring CO emissions on a weekly basis can identify engines that need maintenance).
clogged DPFs (high exhaust backpressure).
Filters should be sized to allow for a full shift of machine operation before any filter maintenance is needed.
For passive regenerating ceramic filters, engine temperature profiles over the machine's normal duty cycles are necessary to ensure this type of filter functions properly.
Diesel oxidation catalysts and EPA-listed fuel additives can be used with DPFs to further reduce DPM emissions.
Where can I find more information?
More information on DPFs and emission control technologies can be obtained from MSHA's- Diesel Particulate Final Rules Single Source Page (http://www.msha.gov/01-995/Dieselpartcoal.htm) and NIOSH's Mining Safety & Health Research Topics (http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/mining/).
What is the background for this bulletin?
MSHA's final diesel particulate rule for underground coal mines established new requirements for the emission limits for permissible and nonpermissible diesel-powered equipment over a phased-in schedule. This bulletin provides information to assist underground coal mine operators in developing a DPM control and compliance strategy.
Who are the contact persons for this bulletin?
Coal Mine Safety and Health
Melinda Pon, Chief, Health Division, (202) 693-9516
E-mail: pon.melinda@dol.gov
Robert Thaxton, Technical Advisor, (202) 693-9515
E-mail: thaxton.robert@dol.gov
Technical Support, Approval and Certification Center
Jim Angel, Mechanical Safety Division, (304) 547-2064
E-mail: angel.james@dol.gov
Is this information bulletin on the Internet?
This Program Information Bulletin may be viewed on the World Wide Web by accessing the MSHA Home Page (http://www.msha.gov) and then choosing Statutory and Regulatory Information/Compliance Assistance/Program Information Bulletins.
What is the authority for this bulletin?
30 CFR Part 72 Subpart D and 30 CFR Part 75 Subpart T
Who will receive this bulletin?
Program Policy Manual Holders
Miners' Representatives
Underground Mine Operators
Special Interest Groups
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