Diesel Monitoring and Control Downloadable Mining Publications

A collaboration between the U.S. Bureau of Mines and Michigan Technological University to develop an apparatus for measuring diesel tailpipe emissions in underground mines. (PDF, 1483 KB, 1992)

Based on their findings, the task group offered several best practice recommendations that a mine may want to follow to implement a successful ceramic DPM filter program. The best practices identified are believed to be key elements for implementation of a successful effort using ceramic filters.  (PDF, 1235 KB, 2007)

The objective of this paper is to identify and characterize nanometer and ultrafine aerosols emitted by diesel engines in the underground environment and evaluate the effects of selected contemporary control technologies on physical properties, chemical composition, and in-vitro toxicology of diesel aerosols. (PDF, 342 KB, 2007)

The objective of this paper is to compare the results among (1) a NIOSH published standard to determine the mass of EC and OC on filter samples, (2) the aethalometer, which uses light extinction to measure "black carbon" or BC, and (3) measuring particle size distributions using a scanning mobility particle sizer (SMPS) to investigate the role of OC when measuring the mass concentration of elemental carbon (or black carbon) in aerosols emitted by a medium-duty Diesel engine. (PDF, 2673 KB, 2007-04)

Describes a computer program developed by NIOSH for estimating the air quantity needed to dilute diesel particulate matter in underground large opening mines. (PDF, 202 KB, 2004)

The objective of the Diesel Emissions Evaluation Program (DEEP)-sponsored project at Inco Ltd.'s Stobie Mine was to conduct a long-term field evaluation of diesel particulate filter (DPF) systems available to the underground mining industry. Some of the major issues studied were criteria for selecting the filter media, means of DPF regeneration, efficiency of DPF systems and the occurrence of unwanted secondary emissions, and reliability and durability of DPF systems. (PDF, 576 KB, 2006)

The U.S. Bureau of Mines and others have conducted a number of occupational exposure surveys since the publication of the International Agency for Research on Cancer report of 1989, which labeled diesel exhaust as a probable human carcinogen. This report reviews available diesel exhaust aerosol and gas measurement techniques. (PDF, 523 KB, 1996-11)

A diesel particulate matter analyzer capable of direct, real-time measurement of engine exhaust particulate is necessary to effectively institute source control technology currently being used on diesel equipment and to ensure that the control measures are working. To investigate the potential of a differential pressure monitor to measure diesel particulate matter in undiluted exhaust, samples were collected from three different diesel enginessKubota, Isuzu, and Deutzsrunning under 12 different RPM and load scenarios. (PDF, 330 KB, 2005-04)

This report is mainly about a ferrocene-based additive that reduced DPM between 4 and 45 pct, depending on engine operating conditions. (PDF, 1756 KB, 1992)

A study was conducted in an underground metal mine to assess the effects of selected diesel emissions control technologies on concentrations of diesel particulate matter and gases in underground mine air. The control technologies included diesel particulate filter (DPF) systems, filtration system with disposable filter elements, diesel oxidation catalytic converter, and biodiesel blends. (PDF, 1752 KB, 2006-05)

This study evaluated the effectiveness of the state-of-the-art technologies for controlling DPM and gaseous emissions from underground diesel-powered mining equipment using the isolated zone approach. (PDF, 4653 KB, 2006-08)

The objective of this study was to determine the in-situ effectiveness of the selected technologies available to the underground mining industry for reducing particulate matter and gaseous emissions from diesel-powered equipment. The protocol was established to determine the effectiveness of those technologies in an underground environment under operating conditions that closely resemble actual production scenarios. (PDF, 1773 KB, 2004)

In this study, NIOSH investigated the effects of adsorption artifact on diesel particulate matter samples from occupational settings. (PDF, 175 KB, 2008-07)

This NIOSH study was conducted to establish the effects of a diesel particulate filter (DPF) system with sintered metal substrate on the concentrations and size distributions of nano and ultrafine aerosols and concentrations of nitric oxides in underground mine air, and focused on the formation and transformation of nucleation mode particles in mine air under prevailing test conditions. (PDF, 359 KB, 2008)

In this study, the single particle mass spectrometer (SPMS) was applied to explore the composition of DPM, namely the origin of metals and size preferences of metals originating from metallic fuel additives and lube oil. (PDF, 593 KB, 2006-10)

In this investigative study NIOSH measured for sub-micrometer elemental carbon (EC) using two types of control technologies (ventilation and cabs) which are being implemented in limestone mines.  (PDF, 311 KB, 2008)

The ambient diesel particulate matter (DPM) concentrations (at the intakes and exhausts of the mine) was evaluated as an entire vehicle fleet of a stone mine switched from using 35% biodiesel to a water-emulsified fuel (PuriNOx). (PDF, 664 KB, 2006)

In response to the underground mining Industry's growing concern with the exposure of workers to the diesel particulate matter (DPM) component of diesel exhaust, a method was developed to estimate the average workplace concentration of DPM that could be expected from using the new lower DPM-emitting engines now being approved by the US mines Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) when these new engines are equipped with state-of-the-art exhaust-control technology for filtering and combusting DPM. (PDF, 665 KB, 2001-09)

Catalyzed diesel particulate filters (CDPF's) reduce the concentration of diesel particulate matter (DPM) and may reduce the emissions of carbon monoxide (CO) and hydrocarbons (HC) in diesel exhaust. The Cannon Mine and the U.S. Bureau of Mines collaborated to evaluate the durability and performance of a CDPF. (PDF, 3408 KB, 1993)

A commercial version of the BOM impactor, called the DPM Cassette, was recently introduced by SKC®. Tests were conducted to evaluate the performance of the DPM Cassette for measuring diesel-source elemental carbon in the presence of coal dust. (PDF, 619 KB, 2004-12)

This paper describes a series of engine/dynamometer tests which were conducted to assess the effects of three types of uncatalyzed diesel particulate filters (DPFs), a diesel oxidation catalytic converter (DOC) and three types of high temperature disposable filter elements (HT DFEs) on the concentrations and size distribution of diesel aerosols and concentration of nitric oxides in underground mine air. (PDF, 417 KB, 2007)

This report describes an investigation in which NIOSH used iron-doped diesel fuel to generate metal-bearing diesel particles and a subsequent analysis of the particles using transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and energy-dispersive spectroscopy (EDS). (PDF, 1531 KB, 2007-04)

This paper describes a quick and economic method which has been developed to estimate engine particulate emission levels. (PDF, 305 KB, 2008-03)
                              

Achieving substantial reductions in the exposure of underground miners to diesel particulate matter in a number of metal and nonmetal mines in the United States depends on the ability of the industry to widely implement advanced diesel emissions control technologies, primarily diesel particulate filter (DPF) systems. However, a number of relatively unique technical and operational challenges are limiting industry-wide implementation of this technology. This paper provides detailed analysis of some of those challenges and short overviews of several projects launched by the NIOSH Pittsburgh Research Laboratory in an attempt to provide the underground mining industry with more adequate DPF systems. (PDF, 835 KB, 2006)

The new MSHA diesel rules have stone mine operators looking hard at possible upgrades to their ventilation systems. NIOSH has several stone mine ventilation projects underway, but in the meantime a good information resource is the work done by the U.S. Bureau of Mines in the 70's and 80's on ventilation for oil shale mines. (HTML, KB, 2002-04)

The results of a series of tests in an underground mine were used to evaluate several measurement methods that are currently used to characterize particulate matter emitted by diesel-powered equipment. This paper presents an overview of these techniques and examples of the results, along with a discussion of the advantages and information gained by each technique. The measurement methods include particle size measurements using a scanning mobility particle sizer, total particulate matter measurements using a tapered elemental oscillating microbalance, a size-selective sampling method for workplace and personal exposure assessment, and a size-selective high-volume sampling method for carbon analysis. (PDF, 572 KB, 2006)

Recent NIOSH experience suggests that more attention may be needed in managing the issues associated with diesel emissions and their control. The author argues that a holistic approach is needed that involves several key mine operations, departments, or disciplines by positing that workplace air can be considered as the product of a complex manufacturing process and examining how that process could be managed. (PDF, 57 KB, 2006)

Elemental carbon (EC) is used as a surrogate for regulating the exposure to diesel particulate matter (DPM) of underground metal/nonmetal miners. Currently, EC represents DPM well in underground mines. Some control technologies have been shown to possibly alter the relationship between DPM and EC and characteristics of DPM. Therefore, future work will investigate the relationship between DPM and EC as new control technologies are implemented. (PDF, 212 KB, 2006)

This paper describes a portable device developed by NIOSH for measuring levels of elemental carbon in real time. (PDF, 116 KB, 2008)
                                       

A method (patent pending) has been developed to determine the quality of environmental cab filtration systems. It utilizes specially configured filter cartridges to remove carbon dioxide from the ambient air with the environmental cab's air filtration system. This report examines the elements of this patent pending method. (PDF, 201 KB, 2006)

The purpose of this study was to compare calibration gas cylinders having balance gases of nitrogen or air that are commonly used to calibrate portable NO2 gas monitors. Because even low concentrations of NO2 can have an extremely adverse effect on individuals working in areas where NO2 emissions exist, it is imperative that portable NO2 monitors be accurately calibrated. (PDF, 113 KB, 2005-12)

A summary of the investigation and findings of nearly three years of field and laboratory work looking at diesel particulate filter (DPF) systems. (PDF, 4000 KB, 2004-10)

As part of the Diesel Emissions Evaluation Program (DEEP) consortium, Noranda Inc. has undertaken a field project to evaluate the overall performance of the latest diesel particulate filter technology (DPF) at its Brunswick Mine in Bathurst, New Brunswick. (PDF, 623 KB, 2002-10)

This paper describes a simple, inexpensive, dependable, and field portable method for estimating the mass concentration of elemental carbon exiting the tailpipe of a diesel engine using a direct reading photometer in underground mines. (PDF, 317 KB, 2007-08)

Elemental carbon (EC) is currently used as a surrogate for diesel particulate matter (DPM) in underground mines since it can be accurately measured at low concentrations and diesels are the only source of submicrometer EC in underground mines. A disadvantage of using EC as a surrogate for DPM is that the fraction of EC in DPM is a function of various engine parameters and fuel formulations, etc. In order to evaluate how EC predicts DPM in the underground mining atmosphere, measurements of total carbon (TC; representing over 80% of the DPM) and EC were taken away from potential interferences in four underground metal/non-metal mines during actual production. In a controlled atmosphere, DPM mass, TIC, and EC measurements were also collected while several different types of vehicles simulated production with and without different types of control technologies. (PDF, 526 KB, 2007)

This report reviews the performance and applicability of technology for the control of emissions from diesel-powered equipment used in underground coal and metal/nonmetal mines. (PDF, 1870 KB, 2002-08)

The primary goal of this study was to investigate the formation of combustion-generated particles derived from lubrication oil in the absence of fuel-produced soot. (PDF, 503 KB, 2007-10)

Investigates the ability of the SKC DPM cassette to collect diesel particulate matter while segregating ore dust from the sample. (PDF, 4710 KB, 2005-01)
                      

Objectives: To determine the regional deposition of particulate matter in human lungs for a variety of steady-state engine operating conditions, fuel formulations and combinations of after treatment devices, and to characterize the size, distribution and mass emission rates of particulate matter emissions from off-road and on-highway heavy-duty vehicles operating on conventional diesel, and ultra-low sulfur synthetic diesel fuels. (PDF, 1750 KB, 2001-01)

A monitoring method for diesel particulate matter was published as Method 5040 by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). The U.S. Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) proposed use of NIOSH 5040 for compliance determinations in metal and nonmetal mines. (PDF, 874 KB, 2004-10)

The objective was to develop a portable emissions measurement apparatus. (PDF, 67 KB, 1994-04)
                                                                               

The growing realization of the importance of a healthy work environment along with increased regulations will require many stone mines to implement new ways to improve ventilation. In-place stone stoppings are one option. (PDF, 152 KB, 2002-12)