Promising Future for Mining Industry
MSHA conducted
sampling at 31 mines to evaluate the effectiveness
of several different control technologies for diesel
particulate matter. These control technologies included,
among others, using biodiesel fuel.
Below are the results of the sampling done at the mines
using biodiesel:
MSHA entered into a collaborative
effort to test DPM emissions and exposures when using
various blends of biodiesel fuels in an underground
stone mine. The initial study was conducted in two
phases:
a 20% biodiesel and a 50% biodiesel blend of recycled
vegetable oil, each mixed with 100% low sulfur No.
2 standard diesel fuel. Baseline conditions were
established using low sulfur No. 2 standard diesel
fuel. In a third
phase of the study, a 50% blend of new soy biodiesel
fuel was tested. Area samples were collected at shafts
to assess equipment emissions.
Results indicate that significant reductions in emissions
and worker exposure were obtained for all biodiesel
mixtures. These reductions were in terms of both
elemetnal and
total carbon. Preliminary results for the 20% and
50% recycled vegetable oil indicated 30% and 50%
reductions
in DPM emissions and exposures, respectively. Preliminary
results for the tests on the 50% blend of new soy
biodiesel fuel showed about a 30% reduction in DPM
emissions and
exposures.
Following the success of the biodiesel tests at Maysville
Mine, Carmeuse requested assistance in continuing
the biodiesel optimization testing at their Black
River Mine.
In this test, two biodiesel blends along with a baseline
test were made. For each test, personal exposures
and the ine exhaust were tested for two shifts. The
two biodiesel
blends included a 35% recycled vegetable oil and
a 35% blend of new soy oil. Preliminary results for
both the
35% reccyled vegetable oil and the 35% blend of new
soy biodiesel fuel showed about a 30% reduction in
DPM emissions
and exposures.
• Click
here for MSHA proposed rule, Diesel Particulate Matter
Exposure of Underground Metal and Nonmetal Miners from
the August 14, 2003 Federal
Register |
Biodiesel may offer safe,
practical applications in underground mining applications.
Biodiesel is made
from renewable fats and oils, such as vegetable oils, through
a simple refining process. One of the main commodity sources
for biodiesel is soybeans, a major crop produced by almost
400,000 farmers in 29 states.
Biodiesel is safer to use
than petroleum diesel. The
flash point for biodiesel in its pure form is a minimum of
200 degrees versus about 125 degrees Fahrenheit for regular
#2 diesel. Although fires are not a frequent occurrence in
mines, they can be devastating and diesel equipment is often
involved. Biodiesel can help eliminate that concern.
Biodiesel reduces particulate matter
significantly. The use of biodiesel in a conventional
diesel engine results in substantial reduction of unburned
hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide, and particulate matter. Emissions
of nitrogen oxides are either slightly reduced or slightly
increased depending on the duty cycle and testing methods.
The use of biodiesel decreases the solid carbon fraction of
particulate matter (since the oxygen in biodiesel enables
more complete combustion to CO2), eliminates the sulfate fraction
(as there is no sulfur in the fuel), while the soluble, or
hydrocarbon, fraction stays the same or is increased. Therefore,
biodiesel works well with new technologies such as catalysts
(which reduces the soluble fraction of diesel particulate
but not the solid carbon fraction), particulate traps, and
exhaust gas recirculation (potentially longer engine life
due to less carbon).
Biodiesel exhaust is less offensive.
The use of biodiesel and biodiesel blends results in a
noticeable, less offensive change in exhaust odor, which can
be a real benefit in confined spaces. In fact, equipment operators
have compared it to the smell of French fries. Users also
report having no eye irritation. Since biodiesel is oxygenated,
diesel engines have more complete combustion than petroleum.
Biodiesel does not require special
storage. In fact, in its pure form or in blends, biodiesel
can be stored wherever petroleum diesel is stored, except
in concrete-lined tanks. At higher blend levels, biodiesel
may deteriorate natural rubber or polyurethane foam materials.
Biodiesel also has a higher flash point, handles like diesel
and is safe to transport.
Biodiesel operates in conventional
engines. Just like petroleum diesel, biodiesel operates
in diesel engines. Essentially no engine modifications are
required, and biodiesel maintains the payload capacity and
range of diesel. Since engine changes are not necessary, neither
are alterations in mining vehicles or spare parts inventories.
Please assist us
in advancing the biodiesel
product and in keeping this site current and
informative by completing a short survey.
|
Market
Reports:
• Environmental Diesel Particulate Matter Investigation, Blackriver
• Environmental Diesel Particulate Matter Investigation
• Environmental Diesel Particulate Matter Investigation, Maysville Mine
Market
News:
• Kansas Salt Mine Becomes First to Use B100 Biodiesel
Visitors
who viewed this page also viewed:
•Economic
Analysis of Biodiesel Usage in Underground Mines (pdf)
•Biodiesel
Fuels for Underground MInes (pdf)
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