MINUTES

Technical Advisory Committee on Diesel-Powered Equipment
Fayette County Health Center, Uniontown, PA
April 18, 2001

 

The Technical Advisory Committee on Diesel-Powered Equipment (TAC) held a regular meeting on April 18 at the Fayette County Health Center in Uniontown. The meeting began at 10:04 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
Bob Bohach, RAG Cumberland Resources
Norbert Paas, Paas Technologies
Charles Brant, UMWA Local 1980
Joe Main, UMWA International
Michel Peelish, RAG American Coal
Larry Saver, Brookville Mining Equipment Corporation
Joe Mazur RAG Cumberland Resources
Jim Hunyady, Consol Dilworth
George Ellis, Pennsylvania Coal Association
Allison D. Gaida, BDMS

Minutes of the February 1 meeting were distributed and reviewed. There were no changes to the minutes, and Gene Davis and Bob DuBreucq approved them as submitted.

Old Business:

Review of Southwest Research Institute’s (SWRI) Testing on Isuzu C240 Engine – The TAC read a draft letter to the Bureau Director dated April 10 recommending approval of the Isuzu C240 (QD60) 56HP engine with the Model M 141 dry system technology (DST) installed for use in the Model 5M57D 5-man personnel carrier. Brookville Mining Equipment Corporation had submitted information to the TAC relative to the Isuzu C240 diesel engine that will be equipped with a DST exhaust aftertreatment system sized for that particular engine. TAC’s letter listed the supporting data provided by Brookville. TAC recommended that the specification sheet approved for the Isuzu C240 diesel engine be available on each piece of diesel equipment that utilizes the Isuzu C240 diesel engine for maintenance personnel use. During the conversation of the letter submitted to Richard Stickler, it was pointed out that there were a number of changes to be made changing the name of the 6BG1-MEXP to 6BG1- MA1. Also, Norbert Pass of Paas Technologies pointed out that the horsepower referenced in Attachment 6 should be changed to 119 hp as advertised on MSHA’s list. These changes were made, and the letter was finalized and submitted after the meeting.

Bill Bookshar raised the question whether the background correction for diesel particulate matter was documented. The TAC’s response was that no quantification or detailed information was obtained; however, since SWRI is a nationally recognized and certified testing facility, the TAC was comfortable with SWRI’s results.

The TAC’s recommendation for approval of the C240 engine with the model M 141 DST system "installed for use in the Model 5M57D 5-man personnel carrier" raised a question by Richard Stickler of whether this engine and exhaust system package is approved for other equipment. Gene Davis stated that it is because Brookville’s application specifically asked for recommendation for approval of the C240 engine and after treatment system which is to be used in the Model 5M57D 5-man personnel carrier, that the recommendation was worded as such. He also confirmed that this package could also be used in other pieces of equipment after approval by the Bureau of Deep Mine Safety.

Bill Bookshar asked if there were any gaseous emissions tests done on system out. Gene Davis replied that the recommendation given for this engine and after treatment system only dealt with Section 203-A. Section 203-A covers the requirements for diesel particulate matter concentration and not gaseous emissions. The TAC further stated, if the Bureau wants the TAC to review the NO/NO2 issue, the Bureau must prompt the TAC to do so. A lengthy discussion was held on gaseous emissions relative to NO and NO2 results. It was generally agreed that the mine inspector would test gaseous emissions on his regular inspections.

Bureau Director Richard Stickler asked the TAC how they established the correlation between engine and filter size. The TAC indicated a ratio of square inches of filter per cubic feet of flow rate had been established previously for the MWM 916 diesel engine by Fleetguard, the filter manufacturer. Additional tests have been done by Paas Technologies that test the flow rate and filter efficiency indicating that flow rate does not materially affect efficiency of the filter.

Bob DuBreucq made note that the approved specification sheet for the diesel engine be made available to mechanics during their maintenance process. A lengthy discussion was held on where the specification sheet for each piece of diesel equipment that utilizes the Isuzu C240 diesel engine be located. It was agreed that the approved specification sheet be made available on each machine.

Update on Procedure for Cleaning Heat Exchangers on Diesels Equipped with Dry System Technology (DST) – The TAC spoke with the local union at Cumberland and was advised that the procedure for cleaning the heat exchangers does not seem to be causing a problem at this time. Tests results showed that the substance (diesel sludge), which Cumberland Mine had been dumping on the ground when cleaning the heat exchanger, was not an environmentally hazardous substance. Cumberland Mine will provide the TAC and Bureau with the results of that test.

Modified Baseline Test Procedures – Upon reviewing this item on the agenda, there was no additional information and no discussion needed.

New Business:

Approved Rubber-Tired Diesel Fuel Transportation Units – On October 17, 2000, the Bureau of Deep Mine Safety approved the use of Rohmac’s Model FT50 Fuel Transportation Unit as a diesel fuel transportation unit. UMWA Local 1980 Health and Safety Committee Chairman Charles Brant wrote to TAC on March 19 asking the TAC to evaluate an alternate method of complying with Section 207-A. The TAC also received a verbal request from Rohmac relative to the same issue. After reviewing these requests, the TAC submitted a letter to the Bureau recommending approval of an alternative method of complying with Section 207-A (g). Approved rubber-tired diesel fuel transportation units may be transported over the rail haulage system of a mine on a secondary transportation unit under certain conditions outlined by the TAC. Richard Stickler stated that this issue came up at a previous TAC meeting and, because of the misinterpretation of the Bureau’s approval; there was some concern about the procedures to use this equipment in underground coal mines. When approved, this diesel fuel transportation unit was designed for use on rubber haulage only. Should this unit be modified for use in areas where trolley wire is used, the requirements of Section 207-A (l) must be met. A discussion was held concerning approval requirements for this modified unit. Richard Stickler saw no problem with the TAC’s recommendation as written.

A question was raised as to how the TAC arrived at 75 gallons for the amount of fuel. The TAC replied that their recommendation is based on their comparison between the language that is in the Act and what is both safe and practical.

The next regular meeting is scheduled for July 18 at 10 a.m. in Uniontown. Agenda items for the next meeting are:

The meeting adjourned at 11:45 a.m.