Dust Sources and Controls on the Six U.S. Longwall Faces Having the Most Difficulty Complying with Dust Standards

摘要

The Bureau of Mines has recently identified five major factors that contribute to high respirable dust levels on the six U.S. longwall faces having the most difficulty complying with Federal dust standards: a poorly structured cutting sequence, a poorly designed external water spray system, marginal waterflow to the cutting drums, minimal controls at the stage loader and crusher, and the lack of effective controls for dust generated during support advance. The results of this survey illustrate the need to address all the major sources of longwall dust generation and the need for mine operators to implement a variety of control procedures to assure compliance. The Bureau of Mines will continue to assist mine operators in implementing improved dust controls and will work to identify and evaluate controls for dust generated during support advance.