Studies on the control of respirable coal mine dust by ventilation. Technical progress report No. 19
Experiments by the Bureau of Mines and recent work of others have demonstrated the effectiveness of ventilation for controlling concentrations of respirable coal mine dust. Substantial reductions in dust concentrations have been attained by increasing the volume and rate of air movement across the face and by controlling the airflow pattern. Ventilation experiments using high-pressure fans as auxiliary ventilation units showed that face-generated dust could be effectively controlled in five mines employing continuous mining machines. Additional data was obtained on industry installations in two mines using similar ventilation systems. By maintaining an airflow approaching 100 fpm across the entry, the experimental system reduced the concentration of respirable dust by factors as great as 6.4. In all mines where the system was used the face-generated dust concentrations were reduced to below 3 mg/m/sup 3/. Total respirable dust in two cases was above the 3 mg/m/sup 3/ value because of the dust content of the intake air. In some mines, depending upon the type of coal being mined and other dust control factors in use, it was possible to obtain concentrations of less than 2 mg/m/sup 3/. Although the technology for the application of the dust control system investigated is readily available, it is evident that additional engineering studies should be made in each mine where the system is to be applied. Conditions in some mines may require a modification of the system. On the basis of the Bureau's experience to date, further studies will be made so that the various engineering parameters encountered in underground coal mining can be evaluated.
- Research Organization:
- Bureau of Mines, Pittsburgh, PA (USA); Bureau of Mines, Washington, DC (USA)
- OSTI ID:
- 6718603
- Report Number(s):
- BM-TPR-19
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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012000* -- Coal
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ALKANES
COAL MINERS
COAL MINES
CONTINUOUS MINERS
CONTROL
CRYOGENIC FLUIDS
CUTTER LOADERS
DISEASES
DUSTS
EQUIPMENT
FLUIDS
HYDROCARBONS
MEASURING METHODS
METHANE
MINERS
MINES
MINING
MINING EQUIPMENT
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
PERSONNEL
PNEUMOCONIOSES
RESPIRATORY SYSTEM DISEASES
SAMPLING
UNDERGROUND MINING
VENTILATION