Page 203 - Advanced Mine Ventilation

Diesel Exhaust Control 183

e. All maintenance and repair of any diesel-powered equipment will be entered in the
Diesel-Powered Equipment Maintenance and Repair Book, which will be kept on file
at the mine as required by Section 196-1-17.
4. The record keeping at the mine will consist of
a. Pre-opt Check List.
b. 100 h Maintenance Check List.
c. Baseline Sampling Form.
d. 100 h CO Emissions Form.
e. The Diesel-Powered Equipment Repair and Maintenance Form.
f. All forms and check list will be made into book form and kept at the mine site as required
by Section 196-1-17.

11.5.2 Training of Diesel Equipment Operators and Mechanics
It is ideal for would-be diesel mechanics to train in the schools offered by manufac-
turers. It is typically a 7-day short course. Diesel instructors are certified by the state
and they hold classes at all mines to train diesel operators. It is an 8e16 h long course
where all aspects of safe operation of diesel equipment are thoroughly explained.

11.6 West Virginia Diesel RegulationsdA Model for Coal
Industry

Realizing that diesel equipment can substantially improve underground mine safety,
the Governor of West Virginia established a W.V. Diesel Equipment Commission 3
in July 1997 and provided funds to investigate how DPM emissions in the mines
can be minimized. Diesel engines most commonly used for diesel equipment, such
as locomotives, shuttle cars, and personnel transport were studied at the diesel labora-
tory of West Virginia University. Various after-treatment devices that were efficient,
small in size, and cost-effective were studied for their collection efficiencies using
the ISO 8178-1 8-mode test.
Based on these findings and the contents of federal and other state’s diesel regula-
tions, the Commission reached a consensus that the best strategy to control DPM in
coal mines and tunneling was to take an integrated approach as described below.
Similar approaches to control diesel emissions were also advocated by others [5,6].

1. Reduce DPM generation: Use only MSHA approved clean engines and EPA-approved/
ASTM D975 diesel fuels.
2. Collect/combust generated DPM: A properly designed catalytic converter on all diesel en-
gines and, if needed, soot filters to minimize DPM emissions.
3. Dilute DPM: The minimum quantity of ventilation air provided to each engine would be
MSHA approvaldplate air based on gaseous components of engine exhaust.

3
The author served on the commission for 18 years (1997e2015) until the commission was dissolved in
2015.