Overspeed protection for mine diesels. A literature review. Information Circular/1984

Technical Report · Sun Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1984

OSTI ID:5685964

Mejia, L C; Waytulonis, R W

Diesel-powered equipment operating in a gassy underground mine could conceivably ingest a methane-air mixture from the mine atmosphere that could cause the diesel engine to overspeed, or exceed its rated speed. Engine overspeed, particularly if extreme (engine runaway), could result in personal injury, a possible mine explosion, and/or catastrophic engine failure. In this report, the Bureau of Mines reviews the literature on the potential hazards of methane-induced diesel engine overspeed. Also included are the Bureau's findings from consultations with representatives of the diesel-engine industry to determine the specific engine behavior that could be expected under the overspeed condition. The report summarizes data on mine accidents involving methane, discusses results of tests on the compression ignition of methane in diesel engines, and examines fuel governors and intake-air-cutoff devices, two kinds of devices used to prevent overspeed.

• Research Organization: Bureau of Mines, Spokane, WA (USA). Spokane Research Center
• OSTI ID: 5685964
• Report Number(s): PB-85-160984/XAB; BM-IC-9000
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

01 COAL, LIGNITE, AND PEAT
33 ADVANCED PROPULSION SYSTEMS
COAL MINES
DIESEL ENGINES
HAZARDS
ACCIDENTS
METHANE
MINING
SAFETY
SPEED REGULATORS
ALKANES
CONTROL EQUIPMENT
ENGINES
EQUIPMENT
HEAT ENGINES
HYDROCARBONS
INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES
MINES
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
UNDERGROUND FACILITIES
016000* - Coal
Lignite
& Peat- Health & Safety
330102 - Internal Combustion Engines- Diesel