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How U.S. Longwalls Are Achieving the 2.0 Milligram Standard-past Trends and Future Technology.

Kissell FN; Nesbit RE; Kelly J

Proc Symp on Dust Sup in Mines Luxembourg 1983 May; :13 pages

10003470

In July-August 1982, the average respirable dust "designated occupation" sample from U.S. double-drum shearer longwall faces was 1.7 Mg/m3, and the trend has been more faces coming into compliance with the 2.0-Mg/m3 standard. A key reason for lower measured dust levels in U.S. mines is occupational sampling, and this has also permitted both researchers and mine operators to test and utilize a wider variety of approaches in lowering the dust breathed by mine workers. An important element of the Bureau's research program is to forecast prospective reductions in dust levels due to the various "dust avoidance" techniques permitted by occupational sampling. Reductions in dust have been forecasted for the following specific items, both alone and in reasonable combination: (1) unidirectional cutting, (2) homotropal ventilation, (3) use of one drum only for a portion of the mining cycle, (4) shearer equipped with asymmetrical drums or proportioned waterflow to drums, and (5) shearer remote control by radio or umbilical cord.

19830501

OP;

1983

OP 25-84

PRC;

Proc. Symp. on Dust Sup. in Mines, Luxembourg, May 30-31, 1983, PP. 75-87