Effects of dust controls on respirable coal mine dust composition and particle sizes:case studies on auxiliary scrubbers and canopy air curtain

Control of dust in underground coal mines is critical for mitigating both safety and health hazards.For decades,the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health(NIOSH)has led research to evaluate the effectiveness of various dust control technologies in coal mines.Recent studies have included the evaluation of auxiliary scrubbers to reduce respirable dust downstream of active mining and the use of canopy air curtains(CACs)to reduce respirable dust in key operator positions.While detailed dust characterization was not a focus of such studies,this is a growing area of interest.Using preserved filter samples from three previous NIOSH studies,the current work aims to explore the effect of two different scrubbers(one wet and one dry)and a roof bolter CAC on respirable dust composition and particle size distribution.For this,the preserved filter samples were analyzed by thermogravimetric analysis and/or scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive X-ray.Results indicate that dust composition was not appreciably affected by either scrubber or the CAC.However,the wet scrubber and CAC appeared to decrease the overall particle size distribution.Such an effect of the dry scrubber was not consistently observed,but this is probably related to the particular sampling location downstream of the scrubber which allowed for significant mixing of the scrubber exhaust and other return air.Aside from the insights gained with respect to the three specific dust control case studies revisited here,this work demonstrates the value of preserved dust samples for follow-up investigation more broadly.

Severe Global Environmental Issues Caused by Canada’s Record-Breaking Wildfires in 2023

Due to the record-breaking wildfires that occurred in Canada in 2023,unprecedented quantities of air pollutants and greenhouse gases were released into the atmosphere.The wildfires had emitted more than 1.3 Pg CO_(2)and 0.14 Pg CO_(2)equivalent of other greenhouse gases(GHG)including CH4 and N_(2)O as of 31 August.The wildfire-related GHG emissions constituted more than doubled Canada’s planned cumulative anthropogenic emissions reductions in 10 years,which represents a significant challenge to climate mitigation efforts.The model simulations showed that the Canadian wildfires impacted not only the local air quality but also that of most areas in the northern hemisphere due to long-range transport,causing severe PM_(2.5)pollution in the northeastern United States and increasing daily mean PM_(2.5)concentration in northwestern China by up to 2μg m-3.The observed maximum daily mean PM_(2.5)concentration in New York City reached 148.3μg m-3,which was their worst air quality in more than 50 years,nearly 10 times that of the air quality guideline(i.e.,15μg m-3)issued by the World Health Organization(WHO).Aside from the direct emissions from forest fires,the peat fires beneath the surface might smolder for several months or even longer and release substantial amounts of CO_(2).The substantial amounts of greenhouse gases from forest and peat fires might contribute to the positive feedback to the climate,potentially accelerating global warming.To better understand the comprehensive environmental effects of wildfires and their interactions with the climate system,more detailed research based on advanced observations and Earth System Models is essential.

Application of Roadway Spray Material to Fire Prevention in Goaf Excavation

In order to reduce the risk of spontaneous combustion in goaf during goaf excavation process, polymer modified cement mortar spraying material was used to spray and seal the roadway surface. The experimental application was carried out in the upper channel 2304 of a mine in Henan Province. The test results showed that polymer modified cement mortar spraying material could effectively support the roadway and greatly reduce the deformation rate of the roadway. The best spraying thickness is 5 mm. Through the monitoring of tunnel air leakage, it is concluded that the polymer modified cement mortar spraying material can reduce the tunnel air leakage and play a better sealing effect.

Field study results of a 3rd generation roof bolter canopy air curtain for respirable coal mine dust control

A 3rd generation roof bolter canopy air curtain(CAC)has been developed and constructed by J.H.Fletcher&Co.,Inc.As with the previous generation of the CAC,this design uses the principle of providing uniform airflow across the canopy area as recommended by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health.The new modifications include a plenum that is constructed of a single flat aluminum plate,smaller-diameter airflow openings,and a single row of perimeter nozzles designed to prevent mine air contaminated by respirable dust from entering the CAC protection zone.Field testing was conducted on this new 3rd generation design showing reductions in coal mine respirable dust exposure for roof bolter operators.Dust control efficiencies for the CAC for the left bolter operator(intake side)ranged from approximately 26%–60%,while the efficiencies for the CAC for the right bolter operator(return side)ranged from 3%to 47%.

Near-Zero Air Pollutant Emission Technologies and Applications for Clean Coal-Fired Power

Coal is the dominant energy source in China,and coal-fired power accounts for about half of coal consumption.However,air pollutant emissions from coal-fired power plants cause severe ecological and environmental problems.This paper focuses on near-zero emission technologies and applications for clean coal-fired power.The long-term operation states of near-zero emission units were evaluated,and synergistic and special mercury(Hg)control technologies were researched.The results show that the principle technical route of near-zero emission,which was applied to 101 of China’s coal-fired units,has good adaptability to coal properties.The emission concentrations of particulate matter(PM),SO2,and NOx were below the emission limits of gas-fired power plants and the compliance rates of the hourly average emission concentrations reaching near-zero emission in long-term operation exceeded 99%.With the application of near-zero emission technologies,the generating costs increased by about 0.01 CNY∙(kW∙h)-1.However,the total emissions of air pollutants decreased by about 90%,resulting in effective improvement of the ambient air quality.Furthermore,while the Hg emission concentrations of the near-zero emission units ranged from 0.51 to 2.89μg∙m^-3,after the modified fly ash(MFA)special Hg removal system was applied,Hg emission concentration reached as low as 0.29μg∙m^-3.The operating cost of this system was only 10%-15%of the cost of mainstream Hg removal technology using activated carbon injection.Based on experimental studies carried out in a 50000 m^3∙h^-1 coal-fired flue gas pollutant control pilot platform,the interaction relationships of multi-pollutant removal were obtained and solutions were developed for emissions reaching different limits.A combined demonstration application for clean coal-fired power,with the new“1123”eco-friendly emission limits of 1,10,20 mg∙m^-3,and 3μg∙m^-3,respectively,for PM,SO2,NOx,and Hg from near-zero emission coal-fired power were put forward and realized,providing engineering and technical support for the national enhanced pollution emission standards.

Study on Design of Pressure Chamber in a Linear-Jet Type Air Curtain System for Prevention of Smoke Spread

Death toll by smoke in fire is estimated at 70% which emphasizes the importance of smoke control system to deal with the fire smoke. In advanced countries, the studies on method to prevent smoke spread by forming the air curtain using high velocity jet flow are underway now. In this study, a linear-jet type air curtain system is proposed to prevent the smoke spread and analysis of flow characteristics of pressure chamber, which is the core component, is conducted through numerical analysis and experimental approach. Consequently, the pressure was increased in 2D functional way to input air flowrate and about 595 Pa pressure was formed at pressure chamber inlet in response to 30 m/s nozzle jet velocity.

Fire Distribution of Integrated Missile-gun Air Defense System Based on Earlier Damage Criterion

The fire distribution can be divided into weapon assignment and firing time scheduling. The criterion of weapon allocation is that a target with greater threat has higher priority. And the criterion of firing time scheduling is that a target can be damaged with the expected probability before a specific time. A fire distribution scheme and a program for the integrated missile-gun air defense system based on a criterion of earlier damage were presented. An example was taken to illustrate its effectiveness.

Airborne Particles during a Firework Festival in Belvedere M.mo, South-Western Italian Coast

The effects of a Summer Firework Festival on the air quality were studied for the first time in a rural area of Southern Italy. The case study analyzes the physical-chemical properties of airborne particles collected during the Note di Fuoco (NDF) Festival, which took place in Belvedere M.mo in 2016. The sampling period was peculiar since in one week three different kinds of events have succeeded: three days during the NDF Festival with the concurrence of the festival and the firework displays, one day with the typical street Market involving food stalls and specialty shops, and three days with no specific events, considered as background conditions. Particulate Matter in different two size fractions (PM2.5 and PM10) was simultaneously collected on a daily basis and then chemically analyzed for major and rare metal content as well as for organic and elemental carbon determination. Levels of particles were even below the European air quality limit values. However, the day with the country market and during the three days of the NDF festival, the finer and respirable particulate fraction, PM2.5, showed an increase of 46% and 84%, respectively, over the mean concentration values observed during the background days. Both elemental and organic carbon, even in the finer fraction showed an increment up to 30%. All major, trace and rare elements were found in higher concentrations during the festival with respect to those recorded in days with no events. In our case study, K was recognized as the best fireworks tracer because its level doubled during the festival. Typical firework tracers like Fe, Ti, Mn, Pb and Sr resulted in greater concentrations, up to 50%.

Contribution of biophysical and climate variables to the spatial distribution of wildfires in Iran

This study investigated the relationship between climate and biophysical variables in burned areas in Iran.The fire burned area(FBA)product(Fire CCI 5.1.1),land surface temperature(MOD11C3C),vegetation index(MOD13A1),and climate variables such as temperature,wind speed,relative humidity,and volumetric soil moisture from the ERA5 reanalysis dataset were used.Pearson correlation coefficient was used to determine the relationship between biophysical and climate variables and fire occurrence.The results show that FBA increased by 1.7 hectares/decade from 2001 to 2020.The high FBA in 2010(the black summer of Iran)was due to high temperatures and significant heatwaves that led to extensive wildfires.Although anthropogenic activities are considered a significant cause of wildfires,several variables,including increased temperatures,less precipitation,relative humidity,and wind speed and direction,contribute to the extent and occurrence of wildfires.The country’s FBA hotspot is in the Arasbaran region during the summer season.Temperature and relative humidity are the most significant variables influencing the occurrence of wildfires.The results show the vulnerability of Iran s forests and their high potential for fires.Considering the frequency of fire occurrences in Iran and the limited equipment,fire prevention plans should be carried out by applying proper management in high-risk regions.

Laboratory results of a 3rd generation roof bolter canopy air curtain for respirable coal mine dust control

Testing was completed on an earlier roof bolter CAC that used slots to provide a perimeter airflow. NIOSH tested it due to its unique design that differed from canopies that provided uniform airflow. Based upon NIOSH recommendations from the earlier testing, a 3rd generation roof bolter CAC has been developed by J.H. Fletcher & Co. The changes to this CAC involve design modifications to the plenum outlets, using a single row of outlets on the perimeter and a different material for the plenum. This laboratory testing was a continuation of the original perimeter slotted CAC design. Using gravimetric and instantaneous sampling of respirable dust concentrations underneath and outside of the CAC. the laboratory testing was completed using three different blower fans that delivered differing airflows. The maximum plenum airflow velocities ranged from 2.34 to 3.64 m/s (460-716 fpm). Results showed plenum respirable dust concentrations ranging from 34.6% to 49.3% lower than respirable dust concentrations outside the plenum protection zone, thus showing an improvement in protection for the roof bolter operators.

Investigation of the Effects of a Large Percentage of Dried Sludge on the Operation of a Coal-Fired Boiler

A 600 MW coal-fired boiler with a four-corner tangential combustion mode is considered here to study the combustion features and pollutant emissions at different loads for large-percentages of blending dried sludges.The influence of the over-fired air(OFA)coefficient is examined and the impact of the blending ratio on the boiler operation is explored.The results show that for low blending ratios,a slight increase in the blending ratio can improve the combustion of bituminite,whereas a further increase leads to the deterioration of the combustion of blended fuels and thus reduces the boiler efficiency.Enhancing the supporting capability of the secondary air effectively reduces the slagging degree in the bottom ash hopper and improves the burnout rate of coals.For a large-percentage blending case at full load,it is found that the OFA coefficient must be reduced appropriately,otherwise,a secondary high-temperature combustion zone can be generated in the vicinity of the furnace arches,causing high temperature slagging and superheater tube bursting.Considering the influences of combustion and pollutant emissions,the recommended OFA coefficient is 0.2.Blending dried sludge under low loads increases the flue gas temperature at the furnace exit.While reducing the flue gas temperature in the main combustion region,which is beneficial to the safe operation of the denitrification system.Increasing the blending ratio and reducing load lead to an increase in NOx concentration at the furnace exit Sludges with low nitrogen content are suggested for the practical operation of boilers.

Airflow characteristics by air curtain jets in full-scale room

A new air distribution pattern,air curtain jet ventilation was presented.The ventilation or airflow patterns and the air velocity produced by air curtain jet were investigated in detail.To identify the airflow characteristics of this novel air curtain jet ventilation system,a full-scale room was used to measure the jet velocity with a slot-ventilated supply device,with regards to the airflow fields along the vertical wall as well as on the horizontal floor zones.The airflow fields under three supply air velocities,1.0,1.5 and 2.0 m/s,were carried out in the full-scale room.The experimental results show the velocity profiles of air distribution,the airflow fields along the attached vertical wall and the air lake zones on the floor,respectively.The current experimental research is helpful for heating,ventilation and air conditioning(HVAC) engineers to design better air distribution in rooms.

Effect of suppressing dust by multi-direction whirling air curtain on fully mechanized mining face

A combined method of numerical simulation and field testing was adopted in this study in the interest of solving the problem of hard to control high concentrate dusts on a fully mechanized mining face.In addition,the dust suppression effect of a multi-direction whirling air curtain was studied in this paper.Under the influence of the wall attachment effect,the compressed air which blows out from the two-phase or three-phase radial outlets on the generator of the air curtain can form a multi-direction whirling air curtain,which can cover the whole roadway section of a fully mechanized mining face.The traditional method of controlling dust is a forcing system with exhaust overlap which has the major disadvantage of lacking a jet effect and consequently results in poor dust control.It is difficult to form the air flow field within the range of L_p5Sr^(1/2).However,due to the effect of this novel system,the radial airflow can be turned into axial airflow allowing fresh air to flow through the length of the heading.The air flow field which is good at controlling dust diffusion can be formed 12.8 m from the heading face.Furthermore,the field measurement results show that before the application of a multi-direction whirling air curtain,the dust concentration is 348.6 mg/m^3 and 271.4 mg/m^3 respectively at the roadway cross-section measurement points which are 5 m and 10 m from the heading face.However,after the application of the multi-direction whirling air curtain,the dust concentration is only 61.2 mg/m^3 and 14.8 mg/m^3,respectively.Therefore,the dust control effect of a multi-direction whirling air curtain is obvious.

Numerical simulation of dust distribution at a fully mechanized face under the isolation effect of an air curtain

在是的一个煤矿的一张充分使机械化的工作的脸建原型，我们调查了由在它由空气的一个窗帘的隔离的过程期间的模拟，流动地和灰尘分发，使用 CFD 软件，流畅。结果证明有效地在 shearer 罐头上安装的空气窗帘阻止灰尘(特别能呼吸的灰尘) 扩散进操作员的工作区域，减少操作员并且极大地的方面上的灰尘集中改进他的工作环境。空气窗帘的地应用程序证明一个空气窗帘的灰尘隔离效果是相当显著的。为呼吸灰尘的隔离效率是超过 70% ，也，它为非呼吸的灰尘有好灰尘隔离效果。空气窗帘是在一张充分使机械化的工作的脸解决灰尘隔离的问题的一个有用方法。它用更广泛的应用程序在其它地方有一个实际背景。

Research on prediction model of formation temperature of ammonium bisulfate in air preheater of coal-fired power plant

Ammonium bisulfate(ABS)is a viscous compound produced by the escape NH_(3) in the NO reduction process and SO_(3) in the flue gas at a certain temperature,which can cause the ash corrosion of the air preheater in coal-fired power plants.Therefore,it is essential to study the formation temperature of ABS to prevent the deposition of ABS in air preheaters.In this paper,the SO_(3) reaction kinetic model is used to analyze the SO_(3) generation process from coal combustion to the selective catalytic reduction(SCR)exit stage,and the kinetic model of NO reduction is used to analyze the NH_(3) escape process.A prediction model for calculating the ABS formation temperature based on the S content in coal and NO reduction parameters of the SCR is proposed,solving the difficulty of measuring SO_(3) concentration and NH_(3) concentration in the previous calculation equation of ABS formation temperature.And the reliability of the model is verified by the actual data of the power plant.Then the influence of S content in coal,NH_(3)/NO_(x) molar ratio,different NO_(x) concentrations at SCR inlet,and NO removal efficiency on the formation temperature of ABS are analyzed.

Air Pollutant Emissions from Coal-Fired Power Plants

In order to investigate the factual air pollutant emissions from Henan’s power sector in 2010, SO2, NOx and PM emissions from 24 generating sets from 15 coal-fired power plants have been measured. It is shown that SO2 emission values from 22 of 24 generating sets conform to the requirements, which is causing by the high performance of the flue gas desulfurization system. Much higher NOx emissions indicate that the construction of flue gas denitrition systems is necessary. PM emissions varied from 2.3 kg to 299.9 kg per hour. Total sulfur, moisture, ash and volatile content, and net caloric value of coals were investigated to elucidate the relationship between coals and air pollutant emissions.

Thermal partition of two asymmetric discrete heat sources by cold air curtain

A partition solution implemented by a cold air curtain for two asymmetric discrete heat sources in a twodimensional rectangular enclosure was numerically studied. Main attentions were focused on the effects of Reynolds number, Grashof number, separation distance between heat sources, and buoyancy ratio. It is found that the airflow and heat transfer are not only determined by governing parameters, but also affected by boundary conditions. It is also found that nearly symmetry of flow structure corresponds to nearly thermal partition, and the symmetry can be enhanced when Reynolds number, separation distance and buoyancy ratio increase. In addition, it is observed that there is a minimum Reynolds number for obtaining nearly thermal partition, which increases when Grashof number increases.

Fired Models of Air-gun Source and Its Application

Air-gun is an important active seismic source.With the development of the theory about air-gun array,the technique for air-gun array design becomes mature and is widely used in petroleum exploration and geophysics.In order to adapt it to different research domains,different combination and fired models are needed.At the present time,there are two fired models of air-gun source,namely,reinforced initial pulse and reinforced first bubble pulse.The fired time,space between single guns,frequency and resolution of the two models are different.This comparison can supply the basis for its extensive application.

Numerical Simulation and Experimental Research on Indoor Environment Separated with Down-Feed Air Curtain

Indoor environment separated with down-feed air curtain was numerically simulated and experimen-tally researched. Indoor airflow and temperature fields separated with air curtain were numerically simulated. Re-sults show that both polluted airflow and thermal air current can be separated with a down-feed air curtain to pre-vent contaminants from spreading in the room space. In a test chamber, the smoke of burning Tibetan incense served as the source of contaminants, and the probe test shows that 1.0 μm is the prevailing diameter of the smoke particles. During the release of the smoke, the particle concentration of the indoor air was tested with a laser particle counter at the points of three different heights from the floor when the air curtain was running or not. Experimental results show that the higher the test point is located, the lower the particle concentration is, implying that the sepa-rating or isolating effect decreases as the air velocity of the curtain reduces along with the height descends. Accord-ing to both simulation and experimental results, down-feed air curtain can separate indoor environment effectively when the supply air velocity of air curtain is not less than 3 m/s. In order to strengthen separation effect, it is sug-gested that the supply air velocity be speeded up to 5 m/s.