report on cleaning of diesel exhaust particulate filters

REPORT ON CLEANING OF
DIESEL EXHAUST PARTICULATE FILTERS
CARRIED OUT BY
HUNTER VALLEY FILTER SALES
Diesel Exhaust Particulate Filter Cleaning
Particulate exhaust filters are designed to remove harmful contaminants from the
atmosphere in confined spaces especially underground mines.
The filter captures diesel particulate matter and soot in the exhaust before it's released
into the atmosphere.
Diesel soot (or particulate) is almost pure carbon but there is also ash in the exhaust
which comes primarily from additives used in the crankcase lubrication oils, intake
additives and impurities in the diesel fuel.
The particulate filter is located in the exhaust system immediately prior to the
atmsophere outlet.
The particulate filter comprises a housing with a depth type replacable filter element.
The element when clogged beyond allowable limits must be replaced to restore
satisfactory exhaust gas flow.
These elements can now be cleaned multiple times to significantly reduce operating
costs.
This cleaning is carried out by HVFS using proprietary detergents and specialised
cleaning and testing equipment.
A number of safety precautions are necessary for handling the filter material, waste
water and initally contaminanted products and HVFS complies with EPA and other
statutory requirements in their process.
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Diesel Exhaust Particulate Filter Cleaning
The comparative testing of the particulate fitlers was carried out by
Coal Mines Technical Services (CMTS) with the Co-operation of Abel Mine.
Page 6 and 7 are taken from MDG29 guidlines for the management of diesel engine
pollutants in underground environments.
Pages 8, 9, 10 and 11 are HVFS site management approvals for
Diesel Particulate Filter Washing.
Tests Were Conducted at Donaldson Coal Abel Mine,
1132 John Renshaw Drive, Black Hill NSW.
Assisting were
Stan Slack, Manager Mechanical Engineering Abel Mine.
Andy Kelly, Diesel Co-ordinator.
Jeremy Neal, Electrical engineer.
Operator, Atlas Copco Coaltram CT08 LH09.
Shawn Lynch, Leading hand diesel fitter.
Operator, SMV Driffrunner MT15.
Troy Spratt, Diesel fitter.
Test Conducted by Trevor Wilson
Coal Mines Technical Services
A division of mines rescue Pty Ltd NSW
NSW Department of Mineral Resources Approved Testing Authority (MDA-B2681)
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Diesel Exhaust Particulate Filter Cleaning
The testing results on the Atlas Copco Coaltram CT108 LH09 on Page 3 is
explained in detail below.
1) No Filter. The testing was done with no filter to indicate raw emissions reading of
the Coaltram.
2) New Filter. The testing was conducted using a new filter with approximate
3 minutes of running time before testing of diesel emissions were conducted.
3) New Filter. same testing as above, in second test 2)
4) Cleaned Filter. This test was done using a filter that was cleaned by HVFS.
Able mine had used the filter until it reached its capacity for filtering diesel emissions
then it was removed and given to HVFS to clean.
5) Cleaned Filter. same methods as above in test 4)
6) Used Filter after 1 working shift. This test was done on a filter that was being used
on
a Coaltram in normal working conditions in the underground environment and had
not reached its final capacity.
The testing results on the SMV Driftrunner MT15 on page 4 is explained in detail
below.
1) Used filter after 1 working shift. This test was done on a filter that was being used on
a Driftrunner in normal working conditions in the underground environment and had
not reached its final capacity.
2) New Filter. The testing was conducted using a new filter with approximate 3 minutes
of running time before testing of diesel emissions was conducted.
3) New Filter. same testing as above, in second test 2)
4) No filter. The testing was done with no filter to indicate raw emissions reading of
the driftrunner.
5) Cleaned Filter. This test was done using a filter cleaned by HVFS Three Times.
The original filter was used by Able Mine until it reached its capacity for filtering
diesel emissions, it was then given to HVFS to clean.
6) Cleaned Filter. Same methods as above in test 5) except this filter was only
cleaned Once by HVFS.
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