title: Aerosols and criteria gases in an underground mine that uses FAME biodiesel blends.
abstract: The contribution of heavy-duty haulage trucks to the concentrations of aerosols and criteria gases in underground mine air and the physical properties of those aerosols were assessed for three fuel blends made with fatty acid methyl esters biodiesel and petroleum-based ultra-low-sulfur diesel (ULSD). The contributions of blends with 20, 50, and 57% of biodiesel as well as neat ULSD were assessed using a 30-ton truck operated over a simulated production cycle in an isolated zone of an operating underground metal mine. When fueled with the B20 (blend of biodiesel with ULSD with 20% of biodiesel content), B50 (blend of biodiesel with ULSD with 50% of biodiesel content), and B57 (blend of biodiesel with ULSD with 57% of biodiesel content) blends in place of ULSD, the truck's contribution to mass concentrations of elemental and total carbon was reduced by 20, 50, and 61%, respectively. Size distribution measurements showed that the aerosols produced by the engine fueled with these blends were characterized by smaller median electrical mobility diameter and lower peak concentrations than the aerosols produced by the same engine fueled with ULSD. The use of the blends resulted in number concentrations of aerosols that were 13-29% lower than those when ULSD was used. Depending on the content of biodiesel in the blends, the average reductions in the surface area concentrations of aerosol which could be deposited in the alveolar region of the lung (as measured by a nanoparticle surface area monitor) ranged between 6 and 37%. The use of blends also resulted in slight but measurable reductions in CO emissions, as well as an increase in NOX emissions. All of the above changes in concentrations and physical properties were found to be correlated with the proportion of biodiesel in the blends.
authors: 1.Dust, Ventilation and Toxic Substances Branch, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Office of Mine Safety and Health Research, 626 Cochrans Mill Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15236, USA abugarski@cdc.gov.
authors: Aleksandar D
authors: AD
authors: Bugarski
authors: 1.Dust, Ventilation and Toxic Substances Branch, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Office of Mine Safety and Health Research, 626 Cochrans Mill Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15236, USA.
authors: Samuel J
authors: SJ
authors: Janisko
authors: 1.Dust, Ventilation and Toxic Substances Branch, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Office of Mine Safety and Health Research, 626 Cochrans Mill Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15236, USA.
authors: Emanuele G
authors: EG
authors: Cauda
authors: 1.Dust, Ventilation and Toxic Substances Branch, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Office of Mine Safety and Health Research, 626 Cochrans Mill Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15236, USA.
authors: Larry D
authors: LD
authors: Patts
authors: 1.Dust, Ventilation and Toxic Substances Branch, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Office of Mine Safety and Health Research, 626 Cochrans Mill Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15236, USA.
authors: Jon A
authors: JA
authors: Hummer
authors: 2.Newmont Mining Corporation, Carlin Surface Operations, Nevada Fluids MGMT, 1655 Mountain City Highway, Elko, NV 89801, USA.
authors: Charles
authors: C
authors: Westover
authors: 3.Newmont USA Limited, Leeville Complex, Leeville Mobile Maintenance, 1655 Mountain City Highway, Elko, NV 89801, USA.
authors: Troy
authors: T
authors: Terrillion
mesh_terms: D000336:Aerosols / Q000032:analysis*; D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational / Q000032:analysis*; D056804:Biofuels / Q000032:analysis* / Q000592:standards; D005740:Gases / Q000032:analysis*; D005742:Gasoline; D006801:Humans; D008906:Mining; D009589:Nitrogen Oxides / Q000032:analysis; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000517:prevention & control; D010316:Particle Size; D052638:Particulate Matter; D013455:Sulfur / Q000032:analysis; D001335:Vehicle Emissions / Q000032:analysis*
chemical_list: D000336:Aerosols; D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational; D056804:Biofuels; D005740:Gases; D005742:Gasoline; D009589:Nitrogen Oxides; D052638:Particulate Matter; D001335:Vehicle Emissions; D013455:Sulfur
keywords: FAME biodiesel; alternative fuels; diesel aerosols; nitrogen oxides; number concentrations; size distributions; underground mining