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Mining Contract: Dispersibility Testing of Dried Wet and Foam Rock Dust
Keywords: Inert dust Limestone dust Rock dusters Rock dusting
This page is archived for historical purposes and is no longer being maintained or updated.
Contract #
200-2016-90152Start Date
9/15/2016End Date
9/14/2018Research Concept
Rock dust helps to impede the propagation of explosions in coal mines. However, the mining industry has requested new, equally effective wet and foamed rock dust products that do not contribute to respirable dust measurements and can withstand the challenges of a moisture-rich environment. With the closure of NIOSH’s Lake Lynn Laboratory in December 2012, all full-scale explosion propagation testing—which included tests incorporating various levels and types of rock dust—halted. The closure has impeded the coal industry from developing and testing new products.
Contract Status & Impact
This contract is complete. To receive a copy of the final report, send a request to mining@cdc.gov.
Explosible coal dust is continually generated at the coal cutting face, therefore mine workers apply rock dust—typically pulverized limestone—to all mine surfaces. During the application of rock dust with dusting machines, large amounts of this pulverized limestone dust are suspended in the ventilating air, which can be both a nuisance and contribute to the respirable dust measurements of workers downstream. Fresh rock dust is applied periodically as machine movement and foot traffic may disturb and thin out this protective dust, so the issue of airborne dust recurs frequently.
To help the industry counter these health and safety concerns, new methods of applying rock dust are being developed and must be tested. Without an appropriate testing facility at the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health’s Pittsburgh facility, alternate sites and facilities must be employed.
Using a new test facility at the Colorado School of Mines, researchers will evaluate the dispersibility of conventional dry-applied rock dust versus new wet and foam rock dusts and aid rock dust suppliers and equipment manufacturers with development of new wet and foam rock dusts that—when dried—disperse similarly to conventional rock dust.
See Also
Coal Dust Explosibility Meter Evaluation and Recommendations for Application
Determining Flame Travel Measurements from Experimental Coal Dust Explosions
Development of an Anti-Caking Rock Dust
Differential Pressure Response of 25-mm-Diameter Glass Fiber Filters Challenged with Coal and Limestone Dust Mixtures
Factors Affecting the Performance of Trickle Dusters for Preventing Explosive Dust Accumulations in Return Airways
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
Rock Dusting
Rock Dusting Considerations in Underground Coal Mines
Technology News 515 - Float Coal Dust Explosion Hazards
Page last reviewed: March 29, 2019
Page last updated: February 1, 2018
Content source: National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Mining Program
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