NIOSHTIC-2 Publications Search

Experimental mine and laboratory dust explosion research at NIOSH.

Sapko MJ; Weiss ES; Cashdollar KL; Zlochower

J Loss Prev Process Ind 2000 May; 13(3):229-242

https://doi.org/10.1016/S0950-4230(99)00038-8

20022707

This paper describes dust explosion research conducted in an experimental mine and in a 20-L laboratory chamber at the Pittsburgh Research Laboratory (PRL) of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). The primary purpose of this research is to improve safety in mining, but the data are also useful to other industries that manufacture, process, or use combustible dusts. Explosion characteristics such as the minimum explosible concentration and the rock dust inerting requirements were measured for various combustible dusts from the mining industries. These dusts included bituminous coals, gilsonite, oil shales, and sulfide ores. The full-scale tests were conducted in the Lake Lynn experimental mine of NIOSH. The mine tests were initiated by a methane-air explosion at the face (closed end) that both entrained and ignited the dust. Laboratory-scale tests were conducted in the 20-L chamber using igniters of various energies. One purpose of the laboratory and mine comparison is to determine the conditions under which the laboratory tests best simulate the full-scale tests. The results of this research showed relatively good agreement between the laboratory and the large-scale tests in determining explosion limits. Full-scale experiments in the experimental mine were also conducted to evaluate the explosion resistance characteristics of seals that are used to separate non-ventilated, inactive workings from active workings of a mine. Results of these explosion tests show significant increases in explosion overpressure due to added coal dust and indications of pressing piling.

Mining-industry; Mine-safety; Dust-explosions; Explosive-dusts; Coal-dust; Combustible-materials; Author Keywords: Explosion; Mining; Flame propagation; Deflagration

National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Pittsburgh Research Laboratory, Pittsburgh, PA 15236

JLPIE9

20000501

Journal Article

zia50@cdc.gov

2000

3

0950-4230

PRL

Other Occupational Concerns

Journal of Loss Prevention in the Process Industries

PA; IL