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Mining Publication: Factors Affecting the Performance of Trickle Dusters for Preventing Explosive Dust Accumulations in Return Airways
Keywords: Rock dusters Rock dusting
Original creation date: November 2019
Authors: M Sapko, M Harris, I Perera, I Zlochower, E Weiss
Peer Reviewed Journal Article - August 2019
Go to Web Page
NIOSHTIC2 Number: 20055990
J Loss Prev Process Ind 2019 Sep; 61:1-7
Correctly applied rock dust can dilute, inert, and mitigate the explosive potential of float coal dust. Trickle dusters are one element of a comprehensive system to help prevent coal dust explosions in underground coal mines. Trickle dusters supply rock dust to inert fine float coal dust in areas where it is commonly deposited, such as the longwall tailgate returns, return airways, pillaring areas, and downwind of belt transfers. Dust deposition studies show that the effectiveness of trickle dusters depends on several key factors. Using multiple orifices, rock dust should be released near the mine roof in the direction of the airflow in order to spread the cloud cross the entry. The rock duster should have a mechanism to break up rock dust agglomerates as they leave the rock duster. The particle size distribution of the limestone rock dust and its airborne concentration should be proportional to the airborne size distribution and concentration of coal dust passing by the trickle duster. Specifically, rock dusts having a greater proportion of <74 μm material are more effective at minimizing downwind zones of explosible mixtures than mostly larger particles. In our testing, rock dusts having more than 95% of <74 μm sized particles were adequately dispersed by trickle dusters. Based on our results, the mass rate of rock dust discharge from the trickle duster should exceed the rate of float coal production by at least a factor of four in order to minimize accumulations of explosible dusts.
First page of Factors Affecting the Performance of Trickle Dusters for Preventing Explosive Dust Accumulations in Return AirwaysPeer Reviewed Journal Article - August 2019
Go to Web Page
NIOSHTIC2 Number: 20055990
J Loss Prev Process Ind 2019 Sep; 61:1-7
See Also
Coal Dust Explosibility
Coal Dust Explosibility Meter Evaluation and Recommendations for Application
Coal Dust Particle Size Survey of US Mines
Determining Flame Travel Measurements from Experimental Coal Dust Explosions
Dispersibility Testing of Dried Wet and Foam Rock Dust
How Does Limestone Rock Dust Prevent Coal Dust Explosions in Coal Mines?
Metering and Distribution Improvements to Increase the Effectiveness and Efficiency of Rock Dusters
Mitigating Coal Dust Explosions in Modern Underground Coal Mines
Rock Dusting Considerations in Underground Coal Mines
Technology News 515 - Float Coal Dust Explosion Hazards
Page last reviewed: May 20, 2020
Page last updated: May 20, 2020
Content source: National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Mining Program
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