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4. Monitor gaseous emissions from the engine periodically: Carry out “engine stall test” and
check gaseous emissions, particularly carbon monoxide emissions, which should not exceed
100 ppm in the tail pipe.
5. Routine maintenance and record keeping.
6. Adequate training for safe operations and proper maintenance.
Based on the above premises, W.V. diesel regulations were drafted in 2003 and the
final draft was approved unanimously by the Commission in March, 2004. The full
text can be found in W.V. Underground Mining Laws, Rules, and Regulations under
Title 196, Series 1. The main structure of the regulations is presented in Table 11.11.

11.6.1 Highlights of Diesel Regulations
It is not possible here to go into details but following are the essential highlights of
these regulations.
1. Clean engines: All diesel engines will be MSHA certified and when tested with maximum
fuel/air ratio, it will not require an MSHA Part 7 approval plate ventilation rate exceeding
75 CFM/rated brake horsepower. At this ventilation rate, all gaseous components in the
exhaust are diluted to their respective TLVs.
2. The diesel fuel will meet the standards of the most recently approved EPA guidelines for
over-the-road fuel. Additionally, the fuel shall also meet the ASTM D 975 fuel standards
with a flash point of 100 degrees Fahrenheit or higher at standard temperature and pressure.
3. All underground diesel-powered equipment shall include an exhaust emissions control and
conditioning system that has been laboratory tested with the diesel engine using ISO
8178-1 8-mode test and has resulted in DPM emissions that do not exceed an average con-
3
centration of 120 mg/m when diluted with the MSHA approval plate ventilation.
4. Exhaust emission control system includes (1) a DPM filter with at least 75% efficiency, and
(2) an oxidation catalyst that reduces carbon monoxide concentration in tail pipe to less than
100 ppm. The system also reduces the exhaust temperature below 320 degrees Fahrenheit.
Automatic shut down, a spark arrestor, a flame arrestor, sampling ports and on-board perfor-
mance and diagnostic systems are also required.
5. Ventilation requirements:
a. Adequate ventilation shall be provided to ensure that the ambient concentration of exhaust
gases in the mine atmosphere shall not exceed 35 ppm for carbon monoxide, 25 ppm for
nitric oxide, and 3 ppm for nitrogen dioxide. Corrective actions will be taken when the gas
concentrations reach 75% of their respective TLVs.
b. Minimum ventilation required would be the MSHA approval plate ventilation for each
engine.
c. Where multiple engines are in operation, the minimum ventilation quantity will be the
sum of MSHA Part 7 approval plate ventilation quantities. Air quantity measurements
shall be made at the most downwind diesel unit in the air split.

11.6.2 Diesel-Powered Equipment Package Approval Process
A mining company intending to use diesel equipment in their mines must submit an
application to the Director of the W.V. Office of Miner’s Health, Safety, and Training.