Mining Product: How to use the Coal Dust Explosibility Meter

Federal regulations require that rock dust be applied in all underground areas of a coal mine to mitigate the propagation of a coal dust explosion. U.S. Federal law 30 CFR 75.403 mandates that the nation’s coal mines maintain a total incombustible content of at least 80% in the intake and return airways. Since 2007, 30 CFR 75.403 has been in the top 11 most frequently cited standards for underground coal mines. Non-compliance with this standard resulting in insufficient incombustible material (essentially rock dust) can have catastrophic consequences in the event of an ignition and a resulting propagating explosion.

The Coal Dust Explosibility Meter is a handheld device developed to assess the explosibility of coal and rock dust mixtures in real time. This series of videos demonstrates the calibration and use of the Coal Dust Explosibility Meter.