MINUTES
Technical Advisory Committee on Diesel-Powered Equipment
Fayette County Health Center, Uniontown, PA
April 19, 2000

 

The Technical Advisory Committee on Diesel-Powered Equipment (TAC) held a regular meeting on April 19 at the Fayette County Health Center in Uniontown. The meeting began at 10 a.m.

Attendance:
Members Present:

Eugene Davis
Robert DuBreucq

Others Present:

Richard E. Sticker, BDMS
Matthew A. Bertovich, BDMS
Joseph A. Sbaffoni, BDMS
William B. Bookshar, BDMS
Alan Vozel, UMWA Local 2258
Bob Bohach, RAG Cumberland Resources
John Gallick, RAG Emerald Resources
John Ealy, UMWA Local 2300
Tim Hroblak, UMWA Local 2300
Jaime Pacheco, UMWA Local 2300
Pat Burns, Jr., UMWA Local 2300
Allison D. Gaida, BDMS

Minutes of the February 22 meeting were distributed. A motion was made by Bob DuBreucq and seconded by Gene Davis that the minutes be approved as typed.

Update on Draft Diesel Approval Process: Recommendations on the draft process were given to the Bureau on March 27. Bureau Director Stickler reported that revisions would be made to the diesel approval process based on the suggestions received and will include an inspection list for use by inspectors. The process would include a tentative approval be given to the mine with a follow-up site approval at the mine before granting final approval.

Update on Mine Safety and Health Administration’s Part 7: Discussions were held regarding the requirement for mine operators to submit follow-up paperwork to the Bureau indicating that they follow the ventilation requirements of MSHA Part 7 rather than MSHA Part 32/36 which are no longer in effect. Additional discussions were held regarding applying the ventilation rates to multiple pieces of equipment. The Bureau will enforce the requirements approved by letter of October 27, 1999. No additional follow-up letter is required.

NO/NO2 Measurement: Bill Bookshar researched the ISO-8178 standards for NO2. All tests measured NOx except for one test conducted in Triadelphia, WV, on the Caterpillar 3304. When the NO2 rates were applied to the ventilation numbers for the Caterpillar 3304, there was no change to the Pennsylvania ventilation plate requirement. The TAC wants the Bureau to be aware of a potential problem concerning NO2 emissions particularly on inby engines. Richard Stickler assigned Bill Bookshar to follow up on the research of a portable and practical instrument that can be used to measure exhaust emissions for NO2.

Dry System Technology: Gene Davis said that he has nothing to report at this time. This agenda topic has been tabled until the next meeting.

New Business:

Matthew Bertovich informed the TAC that Division Chief Bill Bookshar would provide technical assistance to the committee. He also stressed the importance of meeting the Department’s policy on the timely submittal of agenda items for approval.

Baseline Testing: The Emerald and Cumberland Mines’ equipment and operating standards were reviewed in regards to concerns about diesel training and operating issues at these locations. A spreadsheet of baseline emission tests showed that tests were not always completed in the appropriate timeframe.

Gene Davis visited Cumberland and Emerald Mines and spoke with various individuals involved in diesel operation and maintenance. He saw no problems while at Emerald Mine, other than a complaint by one of the diesel operators that his eyes would burn from time to time. This complaint was turned over to management for further review. Also, the employees do not like the smell that is produced by the exhaust gas after-treatment system. Gene explained about the importance of not changing out the filters in an effort to eliminate smell because the filter is most effective right before maximum back-pressure.

Many problems were encountered at the Cumberland Mine. The Bureau has put Cumberland Mine on first step plan revocation. The Bureau sent a letter on April 3 to Cumberland Mine requesting a specific plan to prevent non-compliance of Sections 216-A and 218-A of Article II-A of the Pennsylvania Bituminous Coal Mine Act. This plan is to be submitted to the Bureau within 30 days of receipt of the letter. No reply has been received to date. A lengthy discussion took place on methods to improve diesel maintenance at the Cumberland Mine. This issue will be followed up at the next meeting and will be addressed in Cumberland Mine’s response to the Bureau.

Questions were raised about backflushing procedures being utilized underground to clean the heat exchanger and catalytic converter. The parties agreed that diesel engines should never be started underground without the diesel particulate matter (DPM) filter in place.

Diesel Training: Gene Davis requested additional training be conducted for all involved in the operation, maintenance, and inspection of diesel equipment underground to bring the industry up to date. UMWA attendees also requested training. Bureau Director Stickler invited the TAC to meet with him after the meeting to discuss specifics for this training.

Best Practices: A draft informational bulletin was distributed to the committee for guidance concerning gaseous emission tests required by Sections 217-A and 218-A. This informational bulletin will be sent to mine operators as a guide for best diesel operating practices.

The meeting adjourned at 12:30 p.m. The next regularly scheduled meeting will be held on July 19, 2000, at 10 a.m. in Uniontown.