Skip directly to site content Skip directly to page options Skip directly to A-Z link Skip directly to A-Z link Skip directly to A-Z link


Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. CDC twenty four seven. Saving Lives, Protecting People
Search
            ×
                        Mining
                        Mining
                            NIOSH
                            All CDC
                    Submit
                For a full list of topics:A-Z Index
                Advanced Search
            Advanced Search


The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)





Mining Publication: Field Investigation to Measure Airflow Velocities of a Shuttle Car Using Independent Routes at a Central Appalachian Underground Coal Mine
Keywords: Airflow Respirable dust Shuttle cars Ventilation curtains
Original creation date: November 2018
Authors: M Shahan, W Reed, M Yekich, G Ross
Peer Reviewed Journal Article - November 2018
Go to Web Page
NIOSHTIC2 Number: 20053791
Min Eng 2018 Nov; 70(11):41-47
Canopy air curtains on roof bolting machines have been proven to protect miners from respirable dust, preventing their overexposure to dust. Another desired application for canopy air curtains is in the compartments of shuttle cars. The challenges faced in developing the design of canopy air curtains for shuttle cars include mine ventilation rates in tandem with the shuttle car tram speeds. The resulting cab airspeeds may exceed 182 m/min (600 fpm), as found in the present study conducted in a central Appalachian underground coal mine by U.S. National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) researchers. Prior research and laboratory testing had indicated that successfully protecting a miner in high air velocities is difficult, because the clean air from the canopy air curtain is unable to penetrate through the high-velocity mine air. In this study, the dust concentrations to which a shuttle car operator was exposed were measured, and air velocities experienced by the operator were measured as well using a recording vane anemometer. The results indicate that the highest exposure to respirable dust, 2.22 mg/m3, occurred when the shuttle car was loading at the continuous miner, where the average airspeed was 48 m/min (157 fpm). While tramming, the operator was exposed to 0.77 mg/m3 of respirable dust with an average airspeed of 62 m/min (203 fpm). This study indicates that a canopy air curtain system can be designed to greatly reduce an operator’s exposure to respirable dust by providing clean air to the operator, as the majority of the operator’s dust exposure occurs in air velocities slower than 61 m/min (200 fpm).
First page of Field Investigation to Measure Airflow Velocities of a Shuttle Car Using Independent Routes at a Central Appalachian Underground Coal MinePeer Reviewed Journal Article - November 2018
Go to Web Page
NIOSHTIC2 Number: 20053791
Min Eng 2018 Nov; 70(11):41-47
See Also
Canopy Air Curtain to Reduce Respirable Coal Mine Dust Exposure for Shuttle Car Operators
Development of a canopy air curtain to reduce roof bolters' dust exposure
Field Investigation to Measure Airflow Velocities of a Ram Dump Car Using Circular Routing at a Midwestern Underground Coal Mine: A Case Study
A Field Study of a Roof Bolter Canopy Air Curtain (2nd Generation) for Respirable Coal Mine Dust Control
Laboratory Evaluation of a Canopy Air Curtain for Controlling Occupational Exposures of Roof Bolters
Laboratory Evaluation of Shield Dust Entrainment in High-Velocity Airstreams
Laboratory Testing To Quantify Dust Entrainment During Shield Advance
Performance of a Light Scattering Dust Monitor at Various Air Velocities: Results of Sampling in the Active Versus the Passive Mode
Technology News 519 - EZ-Up Curtain Stoppings: A Practical Solution for Directing Ventilation Airflows in Large-opening Metal/Nonmetal Mines
Using Ultrasonic Anemometers to Evaluate Factors Affecting Face Ventilation Effectiveness
Page last reviewed: April 4, 2019
Page last updated: April 4, 2019
Content source: National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Mining Program
Facebook
        Twitter
        LinkedIn
        Syndicate Mining
        Site BrowserSafety and Health TopicsData & StatisticsMethodologyMine DisastersMSHA Data FilesMine & Mineworker ChartsTools & PublicationsTools You Can UsePublicationsNews & ArticlesResearch ProgramNORA Mining CouncilStrategic PlanMining Program, 2019-2023Miner Health Program, 2020-2030ProjectsContractsFunding OpportunitiesMining LinksAbout UsContact NIOSH MiningEmploymentFacilitiesHistoryVisitor Information NIOSH Homepage
 NIOSH A-Z
Workplace Safety & Health Topics
Publications and Products
Programs


About CDC
					Contact Us
					800-232-4636
 Facebook Twitter Instagram LinkedIn Youtube Pinterest Snapchat
 CONTACT CDC
				Contact Us
							Call 800-232-4636
							Email Us
			ABOUT CDC
				About CDC
							Jobs
							Funding
			POLICIES
				Accessibility
							External Links
							Privacy
							Policies
							No Fear Act
							FOIA
							OIG
							Nondiscrimination
							Vulnerability Disclosure Policy
			CONNECT WITH US
				Facebook
								Twitter
								Instagram
								LinkedIn
							Youtube
								Pinterest
								Snapchat
								Email
			LANGUAGES
				Español
							繁體中文
							Tiếng Việt
							한국어
							Tagalog
							Русский
							العربية
							Kreyòl Ayisyen
							Français
							Polski
							Português
							Italiano
							Deutsch
							日本語
							فارسی
							English


U.S. Department of Health & Human Services
			Accessibility
			External Links
			Privacy
			Policies
			No Fear Act
			FOIA
			Nondiscrimination
			OIG
			Vulnerability Disclosure Policy
			USA.gov


Exit Notification / Disclaimer Policy Close
 Links with this icon  indicate that you are leaving the CDC website. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) cannot attest to the accuracy of a non-federal website.
				Linking to a non-federal website does not constitute an endorsement by CDC or any of its employees of the sponsors or the information and products presented on the website.
				You will be subject to the destination website's privacy policy when you follow the link.
				CDC is not responsible for Section 508 compliance (accessibility) on other federal or private website. Website Disclaimers
 Cancel Continue