Mining Publication: A Portable Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy Instrument for Rapid Sampling and Analysis of Silicon-Containing Aerosols
Original creation date: May 2016
A portable instrument has been developed for measuring silicon-containing aerosols in near real-time using laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS). The instrument uses a vacuum system to collect and deposit airborne particulate matter onto a translatable reel of filter tape. LIBS is used to analyze the deposited material, determining the amount of silicon-containing compounds present. In laboratory testing with pure silica (SiO2), the correlation between LIBS intensity for a characteristic silicon emission and the concentration of silica in a model aerosol was determined for a range of concentrations, demonstrating the instrument’s plausibility for identifying hazardous levels of silicon-containing compounds.
Authors: RP McLaughlin, GS Mason, AL Miller, CB Stipe, JD Kearns, MW Prier, JD Rarick
Peer Reviewed Journal Article - May 2016
NIOSHTIC2 Number: 20048113
Rev Sci Instrum 2016 May; 87(5):056103
See Also
- Best Practices for Dust Control in Metal/Nonmetal Mining
- Characteristics of Fugitive Dust Generated from Unpaved Mine Haulage Roads
- Controlling Dust Exposures in Longwall Mining Utilizing A Simple Barrier
- Evaluating Portable Infrared Spectrometers for Measuring the Silica Content of Coal Dust
- Improving Silica Dust Control Through Targeted Research
- Mine Aerosol Measurement
- Morphological and Elemental Classification of Freshly Emitted Soot Particles and Atmospheric Ultrafine Particles using the TEM/EDS
- NIOSH Hazard ID 1 - Exposure to Silica Dust on Continuous Mining Operations Using Flooded-Bed Scrubbers
- A Review of Occupational Silica Exposures on Continuous Mining Operations
- Silica Dust Sources in Underground Metal/Nonmetal Mines - Two Case Studies
- Content source: National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Mining Program