A Standard Characterization Methodology for Respirable Coal Mine Dust Using SEM-EDX
Abstract
:1. Introduction
2. Description of Developed Dust Characterization Method
2.1. Particle Characteristics of Interest
2.1.1. Composition
Dust Category | Example Mineralogy | Parameters for Classification (Atomic % Equivalents) | Real Time Classification (Raw Peak Heights (Cps/eV)) |
---|---|---|---|
Carbonaceous | Coal | Carbon ≥ 70% Oxygen ≤ 30% | Carbon ≥ 80 Oxygen ≤ 20 |
Mixed Carbonaceous | Very thin clay minerals, or clay minerals with some carbon content | 4% > Silicon ≥ 2% 4% > Aluminum ≥ 2% Carbon > 70% Oxygen < 20% | 20 > Silicon ≥ 10 20 > Aluminum ≥ 10 Carbon ≥ 80 Oxygen ≤ 20 |
Alumino-silicate | Clay minerals, feldspars | Silicon ≥ 4% Aluminum ≥ 3% Oxygen > 20% | Silicon ≥ 20 Aluminum ≥ 20 Oxygen > 20 |
Quartz | Crystalline silica | Silicon ≥ 5% Oxygen > 20% | Silicon ≥ 20 Oxygen > 20 |
Carbonate | Calcite, dolomite | Calcium/Magnesium ≥ 5% Oxygen > 20% Carbon < 70% | Calcium/Magnesium ≥ 20 Oxygen > 20 Carbon < 80 |
Heavy Mineral | Pyrite, titanium oxides | Iron/Titanium/Aluminum ≥ 5% Oxygen > 20% | Iron/Titanium/Aluminum ≥ 20 Oxygen > 20 |
Other | Diesel particulates, etc. | Does not fit any of the above | Does not fit any of the above |
2.1.2. Dimensions
2.1.3. Shape, Volume, and Mass
2.2. General Procedures for Dust Characterization
2.2.1. Sample Collection and Filter Preparation
2.2.2. Particle Selection and Analysis by SEM-EDX
2.3. Automated Analysis Program
3. Preliminary Verification of Developed Characterization Method
3.1. Materials
3.2. Results and Discussion
Roof Bolter | 25 Particles | 50 Particles | 100 Particles | 150 Particles | 200 Particles |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Carbonaceous | 12% (1%) | 12% (2%) | 11% (3%) | 11% (27%) | 12% (21%) |
Mixed Carbonaceous | 36% (31%) | 28% (25%) | 32% (19%) | 33% (26%) | 35% (23%) |
Alumino-Silicate | 48% (68%) | 50% (64%) | 49% (67%) | 47% (39%) | 45% (41%) |
Quartz | 4% (0%) | 8% (7%) | 6% (10%) | 6% (6%) | 7% (8%) |
Carbonate | 0% (0%) | 0% (0%) | 0% (0%) | 0% (0%) | 0% (0%) |
Heavy Mineral | 0% (0%) | 2% (2%) | 2% (1%) | 3% (2%) | 3% (7%) |
Other | 0% (0%) | 0% (0%) | 0% (0%) | 0% (0%) | 0% (0%) |
Belt Drive | 25 Particles | 50 Particles | 100 Particles | 150 Particles | 200 Particles |
Carbonaceous | 20% (27%) | 24% (40%) | 29% (37%) | 26% (36%) | 24% (27%) |
Mixed Carbonaceous | 20% (3%) | 24% (7%) | 21% (5%) | 21% (5%) | 25% (5%) |
Alumino-Silicate | 32% (62%) | 30% (40%) | 30% (46%) | 33% (48%) | 30% (47%) |
Quartz | 4% (0%) | 2% (0%) | 4% (1%) | 3% (1%) | 5% (2%) |
Carbonate | 8% (1%) | 12% (9%) | 12% (10%) | 12% (9%) | 14% (18%) |
Heavy Mineral | 16% (7%) | 8% (4%) | 4% (1%) | 5% (1%) | 4% (1%) |
Other | 0% (0%) | 0% (0%) | 0% (0%) | 0% (0%) | 0% (0%) |
Intake | 25 Particles | 50 Particles | 75 Particles | 100 Particles | |
Carbonaceous | 32% (56%) | 40% (50%) | 44% (44%) | 45% (48%) | |
Mixed Carbonaceous | 20% (2%) | 16% (4%) | 17% (33%) | 16% (30%) | |
Alumino-Silicate | 40% (22%) | 36% (25%) | 31% (12%) | 32% (14%) | |
Quartz | 4% (1%) | 2% (1%) | 1% (0%) | 2% (0%) | |
Carbonate | 4% (19%) | 2% (16%) | 1% (7%) | 1% (6%) | |
Heavy Mineral | 0% (0%) | 4% (4%) | 5% (3%) | 4% (3%) | |
Other | 0% (0%) | 0% (0%) | 0% (0%) | 0% (0%) |
4. Conclusions
Acknowledgments
Author Contributions
Conflicts of Interest
References
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Sellaro, R.; Sarver, E.; Baxter, D. A Standard Characterization Methodology for Respirable Coal Mine Dust Using SEM-EDX. Resources 2015, 4, 939-957. https://doi.org/10.3390/resources4040939
Sellaro R, Sarver E, Baxter D. A Standard Characterization Methodology for Respirable Coal Mine Dust Using SEM-EDX. Resources. 2015; 4(4):939-957. https://doi.org/10.3390/resources4040939
Chicago/Turabian StyleSellaro, Rachel, Emily Sarver, and Daniel Baxter. 2015. "A Standard Characterization Methodology for Respirable Coal Mine Dust Using SEM-EDX" Resources 4, no. 4: 939-957. https://doi.org/10.3390/resources4040939