Mining Publication: Apparatus for Measuring Diesel Tailpipe Emissions in Underground Mines

• Diesel particulate matter
• Particulate matter measures

The U.S. Bureau of Mines and Michigan Technological University (MTU) are collaborating to develop an apparatus for measuring diesel tailpipe emissions in underground mines. A tailpipe Emissions Measurement Apparatus (EMA) is described that dilutes diesel exhaust and measures the concentrations of diesel particulate matter (DMP), CO, CO2, NO, and NO2 at known dilution ratios. The EMA was evaluated by side-by-side comparison of its measurements with those by laboratory-grade instruments. Concentrations of CO and CO2 measured by the EMA were usually within +/-14 pct of concentrations measured by laboratory-grade instruments for CO and +/-20 pct for CO2. EMA-measured DPM concentrations were, on average, 29 pct lower than those measured by laboratory-grade instruments, with the differences being fairly consistent. The CO and CO2 differences are related to the method of calculating the EMA's dilution ratio, and the difference in DPM concentrations is attributed to thermophoretic and/or condensation losses related to the EMA's unheated sample probe. Preliminary analysis of data obtained with a heated sampling probe and modifications in the sampling procedures have indicated reduced variability in dpm and in the calculated dilution ratios.