Micro Fresh Filters spokesman Ray de Jersey said the managing director of ERP, Brian Horton, was well known and respected in the coal mining industry.

Horton worked for 30 years with BHP Collieries, is a member of the BHP Diesel Research group that worked with Micro Fresh Filters in developing the DA100, and is also managing director of Hymec Engineering.

ERP has developed equipment to enable the DA100 filter to be retrofitted quickly and cheaply to all mine.

These products include:

- Stainless steel filter canisters, both single and double, with the options of automatic waste gate, sensing control, and visual by-pass indicator.

- Exhaust conditioner discharge water separator and draw valve, which removes more than 60% of water from the conditioner prior to entering the filter housing, thus improving filter life and efficiency.

- Exhaust gas directional valves for engines of all sizes. These are controlled by the operator to direct exhaust to either end of the vehicle, and include a visual direction indicator.

Horton said filter life can now be increased with the use of a new engine backpressure warning device.

“Using this, the operator is advised by an audible and visual warning that the filter requires changing,” Horton said. “As well, the device automatically tests and cleans itself on start-up.”

ERP is also in the process of developing an exhaust pump used in conjunction with the automatic waste gate to ensure the recommended engine backpressure is not exceeded, thus substantially increasing filter life.

“There is now no excuse for not reducing diesel particulate matter (DPM) exposure in mines,” Horton said. “Miners in all underground coal mines deserve the same safe and healthy working conditions, and the fitting of the DA100 Filter has been proved to provide this.”