ISSUE DATE: 6/20/20/2011 

PROGRAM INFORMATION BULLETIN NO. P11-27 

FROM: KEVIN G. STRICKLIN

 Administrator for 

 Coal Mine Safety and Health

 LINDA F. ZEILER

 Acting Director of Technical Support

SUBJECT: Reissue of P05-01 - Final Effective Date for Underground Coal

 Diesel Particulate Standard and Availability of Report on Issues

 Related to High Temperature Diesel Particulate Filters 

 (HTDPFs) Including Laboratory Results on Kindling

 Temperatures

Who needs this information?

This Program Information Bulletin (PIB) affects underground coal mine operators using 

diesel-powered equipment, manufacturers of diesel-powered mining equipment used 

in underground coal mines (including manufacturers of exhaust aftertreatment control 

devices and systems), miners’ representatives, and Mine Safety and Health 

Administration (MSHA) personnel.

Why is MSHA issuing this bulletin?

MSHA is issuing this bulletin to provide information concerning the January 19, 2005 

effective date for the final phase of the underground coal diesel particulate standard, 

and the availability of MSHA’s Report on Issues related to High Temperature Diesel 

Particulate Filters Including Laboratory Results on Kindling Temperatures. 

What will happen on January 19, 2005?

The final phase of the underground coal diesel particulate standard, 30 C.F.R. Part 

72.501(c), will become effective. On January 19, 2005, each piece of nonpermissible 

heavy-duty, diesel-powered equipment, generator, or compressor operated in an 

underground area of an underground coal mine must emit no more than 2.5 grams per 

hour of diesel particulate matter (DPM). DPM controls must be evaluated to determine 
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if the current controls provide sufficient collection efficiency to meet this requirement. 

Several engines produce a level of DPM that will require the engine exhaust to be

cooled in order to achieve sufficient collection efficiency to meet the 2.5 grams per hour 

requirement. MSHA will issue a citation for failure to implement DPM controls under 

30 C.F.R. 72.501(c) if appropriate aftertreatment devices are not installed on or after 

January 19, 2005. This citation will require the mine operator to submit a compliance 

implementation schedule to the local District Manager. In establishing or extending an 

abatement period, the District Manager will consider whether the failure to install an 

aftertreatment device was due to: (1) non-availability from the engine manufacturer or 

exhaust aftertreatment device manufacturer, (2) a documented design problem, or (3) 

non-availability of an exhaust gas temperature profile for selecting an aftertreatment 

device. The mine operator’s good faith efforts to install an effective aftertreatment 

device to meet the DPM emission requirements, as evidenced by purchase orders with 

delivery dates, will be considered in the abatement process.

What additional information is available related to HTDPFs? 

MSHA notified the mining industry of a potential fire hazard associated with HTDPFs 

in PIB No. P04-17 dated July 20, 2004. Since that time, MSHA has released the Report on 

Issues related to High Temperature Diesel Particulate Filters Including the Laboratory Results 

on Kindling Temperatures. Potential hazards of glowing, sparking, and heating of the 

material collected on the filter media were reported on generators, air compressors, skid 

loaders, and tow vehicles. MSHA's PIB No. P04-17 stated that these events might be 

related to the HTDPFs' exposure to exhaust gas temperatures exceeding 650 degrees 

Fahrenheit (650 ̊F) and filter overload. MSHA’s report is now available and laboratory 

tests have confirmed that 650 ̊F is the maximum temperature to which HTDPFs can be 

safely exposed. 

In order to determine the kindling temperatures of HTDPFs, MSHA performed

extensive small scale and large scale laboratory tests. The small scale tests were run 

using small samples of HTDPF media loaded with DPM, with and without 

hydrocarbons added (simulated engine oil or fuel). Full scale tests were performed 

utilizing a diesel engine and 28 “used” HTDPFs provided by several mine operators

that represented both currently accepted filters. 

The laboratory tests confirmed that the filter media is not combusting; however, the 

DPM collected and stored in the HTDPF combined with un-burnt diesel fuel and 

lubrication oils present on the filter media can begin to kindle when exposed to 

excessive exhaust gas temperatures. MSHA’s report and the test data are available on 

MSHA’s web page at (http://www.msha.gov/S&HINFO/TECHRPT/DIESEL.HTM).
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What maintenance procedures are necessary for HTDPFs?

The proper maintenance of the diesel engine is critical to minimizing the problems 

associated with the use of HTDPFs. Proper maintenance maximizes the efficiency of 

any DPM collection device. To ensure the diesel engine is operating properly:

♦ Operate at the appropriate fuel setting; 

♦ Maintain the engine so that no oil is exhausted; 

♦ Do not exceed the backpressure limit; 

♦ Maintain exhaust gases within established parameters; and 

♦ Ensure that all gauges and safety switches operate properly. 

Other DPM controls should be considered when exhaust gas temperatures exceed 

650 ̊F. These additional controls may include ceramic diesel particulate traps. The 

operator may also elect to include a means to reduce the diesel exhaust temperature, 

such as a scrubber or heat exchanger, in order to maintain the exhaust gas temperature 

within the established limits.

Where can I find more information?

More information on diesel exhaust filters can be obtained from MSHA’s Diesel 

Particulate Rules Single Source Page (http://www.msha.gov/01-995/dieselpart.HTM) 

and National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health’s (NIOSH’s) Mining Safety 

and Health Research Topics (http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/mining).

 

What is the background for this bulletin?

MSHA's diesel particulate rules for underground coal mines established new 

requirements for DPM over a phased-in schedule. This bulletin alerts coal miners and 

coal mine operators to the January 19, 2005 effective date of 30 C.F.R. Section 72.501(c). 

MSHA provides recommendations for assisting mine operators in choosing the correct 

diesel particulate filter for their specific machine application. MSHA’s Report on Issues 

related to High Temperature Diesel Particulate Filters Including Laboratory Results on 

Kindling Temperatures is now available on the MSHA web page

(http://www.msha.gov/S&HINFO/TECHRPT/DIESEL.HTM). 

Is this PIB on the Internet?

This bulletin may be viewed on the World Wide Web by accessing the MSHA home 

page (http://www.msha.gov) and choosing "Compliance Info" and "Program 

Information Bulletins."

 

Who are the contact persons for this bulletin?

Coal Mine Safety and Health, Health Division 

Robert A. Thaxton, (202) 693-9515 

E-mail: thaxton.robert@dol.gov 
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Technical Support, Approval and Certification Center

Jeffrey Moninger, (304) 547-2324 

E-mail: moninger.jeffrey@dol.gov

 

What is the authority for this bulletin?

30 C.F.R. Part 72 Subparts D and 30 C.F.R. Part 75 Subpart T. 

Who will receive this bulletin?

Program Policy Manual Holders 

Miners' Representatives

Underground Coal Mine Operators

Special Interest Groups