Page 157 - Advanced Mine Ventilation

10
Respirable Dust Control

Chapter Outline

10.1 Theory of Dust Suppression and Collection 138
10.2 Collection of Dust Particles by Filters 141
10.3 Dust Control in Continuous Miner Section 142
10.3.1 Water Spray Systems 143
10.3.2 Water Scrubbers 144
10.3.3 Ventilation Air 144
10.3.4 Remote Operation of a Continuous Miner 145
10.4 Dust Control in Longwall Faces 145
10.4.1 Water Infusion 145
10.4.2 Water Sprays 146
10.4.3 Scrubbers on Longwall Shearer 146
10.4.4 Ventilation Air 146
10.4.5 Remote Operation 147
10.5 Dust Control for Roof Bolters 147
10.5.1 Wet Drilling 147
10.5.2 Dust Collection Systems 147
10.6 Personal Protective Equipment 147
10.6.1 Replaceable Filter Respirator 147
10.6.2 Air Helmets 148
10.7 Optimization of Water Sprays 148
10.7.1 Drop Size Created by Sprays 149
10.8 Use of Surfactant to Improve Dust Control 149
10.9 Electrostatic Charging of Water Particles for Improved Dust Collection 150
10.9.1 Experimental Procedure 150
10.9.2 Experimental Results 152
References 155

Engineering control of respirable coal dust follows the classical sequence of control
techniques, listed in descending order of importance and effectiveness:
1. Prevention of generation of dust,
2. Suppression of dust on site and prevention of suspension in air,
3. Collection of dust that could not be suppressed and got suspended in air, and
4. Dilution of remaining dust with ventilation air to safe levels.

The use of protective equipment/administrative control in special situations is the
last resort, but it is not considered a dust control technique. The following steps illus-
trate an ideal strategy for respirable dust control in underground coal mines.

Advanced Mine Ventilation. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-08-100457-9.00010-9
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