Real-Time Diesel Particulate Matter Ambient Monitoring in Underground Mines

Abstract

A real-time Diesel Particulate Matter (DPM) monitor has been developed on the base of the successful National Institute of Occupational Health and Safety (NIOSH) designed Personal Dust Monitor (PDM) unit. The objectives of a recently completed Australian Coal Association Research Program (ACARP) study was to modify the PDM to measure the submicrometre fraction of the aerosol in a real-time monitoring underground instrument. Mine testing focused on use of the monitor in engineering evaluations of Longwall (LW) moves demonstrated how DPM concentrations from vehicles fluctuate under varying ventilation and operational conditions. The strong influence of mine ventilation systems is reviewed. Correlation between the current SKC DPM measurement system and real-time DPM monitors were conducted and results from eight mines show a correlation between elemental carbon (EC) and the new monitor DPM mass ranging from 0.45 to 0.82 with R 2>0.86 in all but two cases. This differences in suspected to be due to variations from mine to mine in aspects such as mine atmospheric contamination, vehicle fleet variations, fuel type, engine maintenance, engine combustion efficiency, engine behavior or interference from other submicrometre aerosol. Real-time monitoring clearly reflects the movement of individual diesel vehicles and allows pin-pointing of high exposure zones such as those encountered where various vehicles engage in intense work in areas of constrained or difficult ventilation. DPM shift average monitoring approaches do not readily allow successful engineering evaluation exercises to determine acceptability of pollution levels. Identification of high DPM concentration zones allows efficient modification of mine ventilation, operator positioning and other work practices to reduce miners' exposures without waiting for laboratory analysis results.

Department(s)

Mining Engineering

Keywords and Phrases

Elemental Carbon; Real-Time Diesel Particulate Matter; Total Carbon

International Standard Serial Number (ISSN)

1006-9097; 1866-6566

Document Type

Article - Journal

Document Version

Citation

File Type

text

Language(s)

English

Rights

© 2011 Editorial Office of Journal of China Coal Society, All rights reserved.

Publication Date

01 Sep 2011

Link to Full Text

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