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Mining Publication: Examination of a Newly Developed Mobile Dry Scrubber (DS) for Coal Mine Dust Control Applications
Keywords: Coal dust Scrubbers Silica dust
Original creation date: February 2016
Authors: JA Organiscak, JD Noll, DS Yantek, B Kendall
Conference Proceedings - February 2016
Download PDF Document (0.41 MB)
NIOSHTIC2 Number: 20048267
2016 SME Annual Meeting, February 21-24, 2016, Phoenix, Arizona, preprint 16-010. Englewood, CO: Society for Mining, Metallurgy, and Exploration, Inc., 2016 Feb; :1-7
A self-tramming remotely controlled mobile Dry Scrubber (DS) was developed by J. H. Fletcher and Co. under a contract with the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health's Office of Mine Safety and Health Research (NIOSH OMSHR) to reduce exposure of miners to airborne dust. NIOSH OMSHR laboratory testing showed that the DS averaged greater than 95% dust removal efficiency with the disposable filters and averaged 88% and 90%, respectively, for the optional washable filters in their pre-washed and post-washed test conditions. Although the washable filters could be reused, washing them generated personal and downstream respirable dust concentrations of 1.2 and 8.3 mg/m3, respectively, for a 10-minute washing period. The DS's velocity pressure regulated variable frequency drive (VFD) fan maintained a relatively consistent airflow near the targeted 1.43 and 4.25 m3/s (3000 and 9000 ft3/min) airflow rates during most of the laboratory dust testing until reaching its maximum 60 Hz fan motor frequency or horsepower rating at 2610 Pa (10.5 in. w.g.) of filter differential pressure and 3.97 m3/s (8420 ft3/min) of scrubber airflow quantity. Laboratory sound level measurements of the DS also showed that the outlet side of the scrubber was noisier and the loaded filters increased sound levels as compared to clean filters at the same airflow quantities. With loaded filters the scrubber reached a 90 dB(A) sound level at 2.83 m3/s (6000 ft3/min) of scrubber airflow, indicating that miners should not be overexposed in relation to MSHA's permissible exposure level (PEL) of 90 dB(A) at or below this airflow quantity. The DS's washable filters were not used during field testing because of their lower respirable dust removal efficiency and the airborne dust generated from filter washing. Field testing the DS with the disposable filters at two underground coal mine sections showed that it can clean a portion of the section return air and provide about a 50% dust reduction at the face area downstream of the continuous miner (CM) operation.
Cover image for Examination of a Newly Developed Mobile Dry Scrubber (DS) for Coal Mine Dust Control ApplicationsConference Proceedings - February 2016
Download PDF Document (0.41 MB)
NIOSHTIC2 Number: 20048267
2016 SME Annual Meeting, February 21-24, 2016, Phoenix, Arizona, preprint 16-010. Englewood, CO: Society for Mining, Metallurgy, and Exploration, Inc., 2016 Feb; :1-7
See Also
Best Practices for Dust Control in Coal Mining
Best Practices for Dust Control in Coal Mining. Second edition.
Continuous Miner Spray Considerations for Optimizing Scrubber Performance in Exhaust Ventilation Systems
Control of Respirable Dust
Deposition Uniformity of Coal Dust on Filters and its Effect on the Accuracy of FTIR Analyses for Silica
Empirical Engineering Models for Airborne Respirable Dust Capture from Water Sprays and Wet Scrubbers
Evaluating Portable Infrared Spectrometers for Measuring the Silica Content of Coal Dust
Investigation into Dust Exposures and Mining Practices in Mines in the Southern Appalachian Region
Laboratory Evaluation of a Canopy Air Curtain for Controlling Occupational Exposures of Roof Bolters
NIOSH Hazard ID 1 - Exposure to Silica Dust on Continuous Mining Operations Using Flooded-Bed Scrubbers
Page last reviewed: December 3, 2019
Page last updated: September 12, 2016
Content source: National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Mining Program
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