MINUTES
Technical Advisory Committee on Diesel-Powered Equipment
Fayette County Health Center, Uniontown, PA
October 25, 2000
The Technical Advisory Committee on Diesel-Powered Equipment (TAC) held a regular meeting on October 25 at the Fayette County Health Center in Uniontown. The meeting began at 10:05 a.m.
Attendance:
Members Present:
Eugene Davis
Robert DuBreucq
Others Present:
Richard E. Stickler, BDMS
Matthew A. Bertovich, BDMS
Joseph A. Sbaffoni, BDMS
William B. Bookshar, BDMS
Harry Reitz, Brookville Mining Equipment Corporation
Joe Mazur, RAG Cumberland Resources
Michael Peelish, RAG American Coal
Bob Bohach, RAG Cumberland Resources
Harry M. Powell, Jr., UMWA Local 2300
Randy Bedilion, UMWA Local 2300
John H. Ealy, UMWA Local 2300
James D. Hartman, UMWA Local 2300
Barry Cox, UMWA Local 2258
Allison D. Gaida, BDMS
Minutes of the April 19 meeting were distributed. A motion was made by Gene Davis and seconded by Bob DuBreucq that the minutes be approved as typed.
Old Business:
Use of Fuel Additives - The TAC had made a recommendation to the Bureau in a June 21, 2000, letter to Richard Stickler recommending that any fuel used in underground coal mining equipment must first meet the specifications listed in Section 205-A(b) and only then can EPA-approved additives be used to further enhance the fuel. The TAC has never received a response from the Bureau on this recommendation. Richard Stickler stated that the Bureau is in agreement with TAC’s recommendation.
Mine Diesel Ventilation Plan - The TAC recommended that final approval not be granted to any Mine Diesel Plan until reference is made in the application that a diesel ventilation plan has been developed and will be approved by the district mine inspector and posted for review by employees of the mine. This recommendation was made to the Bureau in their June 21 letter to Richard Stickler, as well as an undated e-mail message to him.
Richard Stickler commented that, even though what the TAC recommends is the logical and best way to comply with the law, it is not the only way for an operator to comply with the law. Richard Stickler explained how the diesel approval process has been streamlined to eliminate paperwork that restates what the law states. As part of the approval process, the district mine inspector will make an on-site visit using a checklist to confirm that the mine has a diesel ventilation plan and is in compliance with the Act before the Bureau will grant final approval. The TAC held to their original request that reference be made of the mine’s diesel ventilation plan in the approved diesel plan for each mine.
Dry System Technology (DST): Mike Peelish, RAG American Coal, informed the TAC that they are in line for testing at the Southwest Research Institute (SWRI) in San Antonio, TX, for the Isuzu 6BG1. The testing is tentatively scheduled for the beginning of November. Testing should take approximately 3-7 days and a day to analyze the data. This data will also be used for the approval of the Isuzu C240. Emerald Mine will submit a request to the Bureau for approval of the Isuzu 6BGI engine and a separate request to the TAC for approval of the Isuzu C240. A meeting is being scheduled for December 19 to review the results of this testing.
Diesel-Fueled Emergency Fire Fighting Equipment: A discussion was held on the use of diesel-fueled emergency fire fighting equipment used underground. Gene Davis stated that this should be approved on a mine-by-mine, item-by-item basis.
Training Update: The training workshop held at the Uniontown Holiday Inn on June 20 went well, and TAC has heard favorable comments. Richard Stickler extended an invitation for additional training for operators, local unions, or anyone who feels they need it.
Mike Peelish asked if the Bureau would be sending anyone to the DEEP (Diesel Emission Evaluation Program) conference to be held in Canada. Bill Bookshar will obtain information from the DEEP website on this for Richard Stickler.
New Business:
Procedure for Cleaning Heat Exchanger: The Cumberland Mine has questions and concerns regarding the procedure for cleaning the heat exchanger underground and the related safety concerns. Joe Mazur, RAG Cumberland, explained the procedure for cleaning the heat exchanger underground. It is filled with approximately 5 gallons of water and citrus cleaner and left to soak. The engine is then started. The cleaner and water are blown through the filter and runs onto the ground where it lays without being cleaned up or collected. The TAC does not believe this to be a prudent practice and questioned the efficiency of the filter when wet and the amount of back pressure the wet filter can handle before rupturing.
Since the Dry System Technology (DST) exhaust after treatment system has only been tested and approved with a dry filter, the TAC believes this to be an alternative method and made a recommendation that Cumberland submit a plan to the TAC that would incorporate these maintenance procedures. TAC also recommended that this practice be stopped until a plan can be submitted and approved, at which the management of Cumberland Mine said they would clean up and rock dust the area to make the problem less objectionable in the short term and submit a plan to the TAC for a permanent solution. The plan is to be ready by the next meeting, which will be held on December 19.
James Hartman, UMWA Local 2300, expressed concerns he had recently brought to management. The UMWA wanted assurance that the practice being used is safe and requested documentation asking that it be stopped until they had approval or something in writing from the Bureau that it is safe for the workers. Richard Stickler read Section 213-A(b)(2)(iv) which states "Service and maintenance of approved complete diesel-powered equipment packages shall be performed according to component manufacturer’s recommendations." Harry Reitz, Brookville Mining Equipment manufacturer’s representative stated that Cumberland maintenance procedure is consistent with manufacturer’s recommendations. Mike Peelish stated that the operator’s practice of flushing and capturing solids in the filter is safe according to Norbert Paas, the DST manufacturer. Mike Peelish said Norbert Paas could provide this in writing if needed. Richard Stickler stated that, as far as the law goes, Deep Mine Safety is not in the position to negotiate what it requires. The Bureau can only enforce what is in the law and the approved plans. He stated that he hoped that the parties would try to deal with this problem and solve it at the mine. However, the Bureau will research the filter efficiency when wet and try to obtain documentation from the manufacturer to verify its efficiency.
Baseline Testing: Michael Peelish expressed a concern about baseline testing of a new diesel engine. He is concerned about low CO emission on these engines and requested that the TAC consider a plan that would allow using the engine in a piece of underground equipment for a short period of time first and then run a baseline after the engine has had a break in period. The TAC was agreeable to reviewing a plan if submitted.
Diesel Fuel Sampling: Bob Bohach, RAG Cumberland Resources, requested that the Bureau inform mine management when the Bureau is going to sample their diesel fuel so they can also take their own samples. Mr. Stickler stated that the Bureau procedure was to notify management on the same day the samples are collected.
The mine is responsible to see that the supplier is meeting the ASTM requirement. The Bureau will issue a compliance order to the mine if their diesel fuel does not meet the requirements. The mine is responsible to find a supplier who can meet the requirements.
Meeting dates for 2001 were announced as follows:
January 17, 2001
April 18, 2001
July 18, 2001
October 24, 2001
The meeting adjourned at 1:10 p.m. The next meeting will be held on December 19, 2000, at 10 a.m. in Uniontown.