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REAL-TIME GRAVIMETRIC PERSONAL

MONITORING OF RESPIRABLE DUSTLongwall Conference – 24 October 2016

Jordan Taylor, Projects Superintendent

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• Sampling methodology largely unchanged since the 1960s

• Still the standard for sampling today

• Technology has advanced all around us, but has lagged in this field

BACKGROUNDRespirable Dust Sampling

1973 2008

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OVERVIEW

• Technology

• Anglo’s Approach

• Path Forward

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Condition Filter

Weigh Filter

Transport to Site

Acquire Sample

Transport to Lab

Condition Filter

Weigh Filter

Report Results

TECHNOLOGYStandard Gravimetric Sampling (AS2985)

Sampling to Reporting (≈7-14 days)

• Results are reported as single value for shift

• Operators cannot see exposure values

during shift

• Opportunity for meaningful review of

failures is compromised

Prepping to Sampling (2-3 days)

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TECHNOLOGYLight Scattering Photometry

golf

ø 43 mm

45.9 g

ping-pong

ø 40 mm

2.7 g

Principles of Operation

– Illuminate aerosol passing through a defined

volume

– Detect total light scattered by the particles in the

volume

Sample Acquisition and Treatment

– Most sample passively – dust deposition

– Factory calibrated to specific particle properties

– Readings compared to the mass of the calibrated

sample to provide an inferred mass

– Must calibrate to site-specific coal properties

Pros

– Lightweight, precise, fast, inexpensive

– Indicate relative or approximate concentrations

Cons

– Accuracy varies significantly based on

agglomeration, refractivity, humidity, etc.

– Not a gravimetric instrument

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TECHNOLOGY

Principles of Operation

– Samples collected on filter which rests on the end of oscillating hollow tube

– Mass measured (not inferred) continuously according to:

𝐶ℎ𝑎𝑛𝑔𝑒 𝑖𝑛 𝑀𝑎𝑠𝑠 = 𝐾0(1

𝑓𝑓2 −

1

𝑓𝑖2)

Sample Acquisition and Treatment

– Active sampling at 2.2 L/min

– Cyclone separates coarse particles

– Heating element removes moisture

Pros

– Direct, gravimetric means of mass determination using Higgins-Dewell cyclone

– Provides absolute dust concentrations

– Highly accurate and precise

Cons

– No electrically certified units in Australia

Tapered Element Oscillating Microbalance (TEOM)

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TECHNOLOGY

History

• TEOM first developed for U.S. space program

• Technology incorporated into wearable units through development by NIOSH and MSHA

• Predecessor field tested and proven in the U.S. mining industry

• Mandated means of compliance sampling in the U.S.

ThermoScientific™ PDM3700

Compliance Tools Indicative Tools

Accurate

Proven

Lag Indicator

Slow

Inaccurate

Precise

Fast

Lead Indicator

PDM3700

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TECHNOLOGY

• Queensland currently recognises TEOM technology as an accepted means of dust

monitoring

• PDM3700 is the first-ever wearable TEOM unit

Tapered Element Oscillating Microbalance (TEOM)

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TECHNOLOGYThermoScientific™ PDM3700

What Anglo Recognised in the PDM3700

Immediate exposure information for faster decision-making

Continuous monitoring for enhanced sampling detail

Improved data analysis capabilities

Accuracy to give coal mine workers confidence

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TECHNOLOGYThermoScientific™ PDM3700

Dust card available after download (left)

Output screen on monitor (below)

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OVERVIEW

• Technology

• Anglo’s Approach

• Path Forward

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ANGLO’S APPROACHIntegration of Units

Introduction

– First and only units ever purchased in Australia

– Initially introduced at Moranbah North Mine to prove capability

– Units for Grasstree and Grosvenor purchased in quick succession

– Currently 12 units in service

Implementation

– Supplement to legislated gravimetric personal sampling regime

– Launch of site-wide sampling roster

Including Secondary Support, Ventilation, Conveyors, Shotcreting, etc.

Involvement

– Coal Mine Workers

Positive feedback, requests for data

– Inspectorate

Obtaining buy-in

Providing more information with the same accuracy, faster

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PDM3700 Data vs Shearer Position

Exposure Limit 15 Min Conc Shearer Position

How do we

benefit from

the data?

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Exposure Limit 15 Min Conc Shearer Position

Operator’s role?

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Exposure Limit 15 Min Conc Shearer Position

Operator’s

position?

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Exposure Limit 15 Min Conc Shearer Position

Exceptional

events?

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ANGLO’S APPROACHBenefits

Which is more

useful?

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ANGLO’S APPROACHBenefits

24/10/2016 – Longwall Operator – 1.1 mg/m3

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ANGLO’S APPROACHBenefits

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• PDM3700 provides workers at the coal face with vital information

ANGLO’S APPROACH

• Why is this important?

– A 1995 NIOSH report indicates that reducing exposure by 0.5 mg/m3 can significantly reduce the prevalence of CWP and PMF over a 35-year working lifetime

– Every decimal point of exposure matters

Benefits

Information Action Power

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OVERVIEW

• Technology

• Anglo’s Approach

• Path Forward

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PATH FORWARDPDM3700

Anglo’s History

– Introduced to industry at QMIHS Conference (Gold

Coast)

– Formed working group with Glencore

– Met with Coal Mining Safety and Health Advisory

Committee which advises the Minister of Mines

– Gained the Committee’s in-principle support

Industry’s Future

– Undertaking joint risk assessment to allow use in up to

1.25% methane

– Achieve electrical certification

– Modify AS2985 and proposed recognised standard for

dust monitoring to allow unit for compliance sampling

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PATH FORWARDPDM3700

All StakeholdersConfidence that

sampling is consistent, accurate,

and transparent

Immediate and accurate feedback of cumulative shift

exposure

Significantly more data with

unparalleled accuracy

Continuous monitoring data for

analysis of shift exposures

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THANK YOU

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• Media: – Slide 2: Coal Miner – ThermoFisher Scientific (2016). Respirable Coal Dust Monitoring [PowerPoint Slides]. Retrieved from: email.

– Slide 5: Principle of Nephelometer – Grimm Technologies, Inc. Retrieved from: http://dustmonitor.com/Environmental/365_system.htm.

– Slide 6: Video of TEOM Principle – Lear Siegler Australasia (2015). Retrieved from: email c/o Peter Phaedonos.

– Slide 7: Screenshot of Webpage – Queensland Government (2013). Tapered Element Oscillating Microbalance [Online]. Retrieved from: https://www.qld.gov.au/environment/pollution/monitoring/air-pollution/oscillating-microbalance/.

– Slide 9: PDM3700 – ThermoFisher Scientific (2016). Respirable Coal Dust Monitoring [PowerPoint Slides]. Retrieved from: email.

– Slide 10: PDM3700 Screenshots – MSHA Course of Instruction (2016). Retrieved from: http://arlweb.msha.gov/training/programs-courses/

– Slide 12,18: PDM3700 on Hip – ThermoFisher Scientific (2016). Respirable Coal Dust Monitoring [PowerPoint Slides]. Retrieved from: email.

• Content:B.K. Cantrell, S.W. Stein, H. Patashnick, D. Hassel. “Status of a Tapered Element, Oscillation Microbalance-Based Continuous Respirable Coal

Mine Dust Monitor.” Applied Occupational and Environmental Hygiene Volume 11. Issue 7 (1996): 624-629.

J.C. Volkwein, R.P. Vinson, S.J. Page, L.J. McWilliams, G.J. Joy, S.E. Mischler, & D.P. Tuchman. RI 9669: “Laboratory and Field Performance of a Continuously Measuring Personal Respirable Dust Monitor”. Pittsburgh, PA: Dept. of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Pittsburgh Research Laboratory, 2006.

“Lowering Miners’ Exposure to Respirable Coal Mine Dust, Including Continuous Personal Dust Monitors; Final Rule”. Federal Register Vol. 79 Number 84. (May 1, 2014).

Standards Australia. (2009). Workplace atmospheres – Method for sampling and gravimetric determination of respirable dust (AS 2985 – 2009).Sydney, NSW. Standards Australia Limited.

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. (1995). “Criteria for a Recommended Standard.” (DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 95-106).

REFERENCES