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U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Evaluation of a disposable diesel exhaust filter for permissible mining machines. Report of investigations/1994

Technical Report ·
OSTI ID:7251079

The U.S. Bureau of Mines (USBM) Diesel Research Program emphasizes the development and evaluation of emission control devices to reduce exposure of miners to diesel exhaust pollutants. Studies by the USBM have shown that diesel exhaust aerosol (DEA) contributes a substantial portion of the respirable aerosol in underground coal mining using diesel equipment not equipped with emission controls. The USBM and the Donaldson Co., Inc., Minneapolis, MN, have developed a low-temperature, disposable diesel exhaust filter (DDEF) for use on permissible diesel haulage vehicles equipped with waterban exhaust conditioners. These were evaluated in three underground mines to determine their effectiveness in reducing DEA concentrations. The DDEF reduced DEA concentrations from 70 to 90 pct at these mines. The usable life of the filter ranged from 10 to 32 h, depending on factors that affect DEA output, such as mine altitude, engine type, and duty-cycle. Cost per filter is approximately $40.

Research Organization:
Bureau of Mines, Twin Cities, MN (United States). Twin Cities Research Center
OSTI ID:
7251079
Report Number(s):
PB-94-192622/XAB; BUMINES-RI--9508
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English