This was a topic of NIOSH’s George Schnakenberg at the Control Technologies for Diesel Vehicles in Underground Coal Mines workshop held in Louisville recently. Schnakenberg provided a practical “how to” guide for reducing Diesel Particulate Matter (DPM) in underground mines.

In the hypothetical, parameters were set. The choices did not include different fuels, fuel additives or using devices situated before the tailpipe. Options were available to use disposable “paper” filter after water scrubber or dry heat exchanger, high temperature disposable filter or regenerating permanent diesel particulate filter.

Schnakenberg said when deciding on option you should take into account several considerations:

Size – available space on vehicle

Operating complexity and fit to production

Initial capital cost

Consumables cost

Installation complexity and cost

Maintenance complexity and cost

You also must remember the after treatment of installed systems. Whether this affects the operator through maintenance, responsibility, operation, required skills or schedule.

Schnakenberg outlined a comprehensive deployment guide that should be followed.

Fist of all, when choosing a filter it must be a fit between filter and equipment. Look at space, exhaust temperature, vehicle deployment, schedule and available systems.

Secondly it is important to take into account installation including location, mounting, vibration isolation, insulation, isolated from combustibles and that it does not block engine maintenance.

Under maintenance it is important to put in place new procedures and tasks for the engine and the DPF. Additional pressure monitoring systems and electric regeneration systems require service. The equipment operator should be made aware whether the DPF needs daily attention.

Site alterations may need to be made for regeneration, including electrical, space and ventilation. The vehicle operator and maintenance and engine mechanics crew need to be adequately trained to deal with the regeneration.

Environmental measurements need to be followed up including ventilation, DPM and gas measurements if affected by DPF.

“Multi-disciplinary task requiring coordination of several mine departments or persons who must work as a team is required,” Schnakenberg said in his presentation paper.

He said what is required in lowering DPM was a “filter champion”

“DPF deployment is not the norm and requires additional knowledge. It demands teamwork and cooperation if many mine people and functions,” he said.

“Mine management must provide authority and responsibility and it must be part of the job, not incidental, not treated superficially, at least initially.”

Lastly, Schnakenberg outlined a number of sources industry could obtain help from including:

Workshops

NIOSH-MSHA DPF guide at www.cdc.gov/niosh/mining/toolbox.htm

NIOSH IC9462

MSHA and NIOSH

www.dieselnet.com

www.deep.org

After treatment manufacturers