| The objective of this thesis was to advance the understanding of the influence of coal characteristics on respirable dust generation rates, and apply this knowledge to the planning of mine ventilation systems for airborne dust control. A detailed review of prior studies revealed the necessity of developing a new laboratory procedure for determining respirable dust generation rates, and a need for exploring the relationships between respirable dust generation rate, and fuel ratio, vitrinite reflectance, and level of organic metamorphism.; This research was conducted in three parts. In the first part, the data from three prior laboratory studies on respirable dust generation were analyzed to determine the relationships between respirable dust generation rate, and fuel ratio, vitrinite reflectance, and level of organic metamorphism. In the second part, a single breakage procedure was developed to determine the primary dust generation rates of coal samples. This procedure was applied to 28 American and four South African coal samples. The size consist of the breakage products was determined. Correlation analysis, factor analysis, analysis of variance, and regression were used to examine the relationships between coal characteristics and respirable dust generation rate. In the third part, for those coal samples for which data were available, the primary dust generation rates in the laboratory and dust generation rates in underground coal mines were compared to apply the results of this study to mine ventilation planning.; This study has determined that fuel ratio, vitrinite reflectance, and level of organic metamorphism are the most important factors governing the primary respirable dust generation rates of coal samples. The dust generation rates in underground coal mines are an order of magnitude higher than the primary dust generation rates in the laboratory. Depending on the type of coal, coal production rates, and dust control procedures, the air quantity required for airborne dust control can vary significantly. |
