Mine Hazard and Safety

Lab report # 06
Measuring real time Dust Concentration using PDM and Dust Ram
in Underground mines

Submitted to:
Dr. Usman Khan

Submitted by:
Ahmad Hassan
(2016-MIN-43)

Submission Date:
2nd March, 2020

DEPARTMENT OF MINING ENGINEERING

UNIVERSITY OF ENGINEERING &
TECHNOLOGY LAHORE
Contents
1. Personal Dust monitors............................................................................................................2
1.1 PDM 3700.........................................................................................................................2
1.1.1 Working Principle of PDM3700................................................................................2
1.1.2 Advantages................................................................................................................2
1.2 Dataram 4..........................................................................................................................3
1.2.1 Working.....................................................................................................................4
1.2.2 Advantages................................................................................................................4
1.2.3 Limitations.................................................................................................................4
2. References................................................................................................................................5
 1. Personal Dust monitors
Monitor real-time coal dust exposure with a respirable, personal dust monitor designed
specifically for U.S. based mining applications. The Thermo Scientific PDM3700 Personal Dust
Monitor is equipped with waterproof battery protection, PC-based software for data downloading
and reporting, integral charger with download and station for PC interface.
1.1 PDM 3700
A real-time monitor being evaluated by NIOSH is a modified personal dust monitor
(manufactured by Thermo Fisher scientific) or D-PDM. The D-PDM uses a tapered element
oscillating microbalance to measure ambient submicrometer particles. Typically, more than 90%
of submicrometer aerosols in underground mines are DPM. The D-PDM has the advantage of
measuring the mass, in near-real-time, of many types of aerosols regardless of size, chemical
composition, or refractive index.

Figure 1 PDM 3700

1.1.1 Working Principle of PDM3700

A coil driver pulsates against the magnet on a tapered element to initiate osciallating moment
and a pulsing magnetic field maintains the natural oscilating motion and when air sample starts
flowing through the system particulates are coleected on the top of the filter over the time
particulate mass increases and which cause the reduction in oscillations and the change in
frequency is measured by hall effect sensor.
1.1.2 Advantages
 Reduce Exposure to Dust: PDM3700 is Engineered for timely, high-quality personal dust
exposure information, the PDM3700 monitor protects miners’ health by tracking the
shift-average respirable coal dust exposure as it approaches regulatory limits. Providing
 mine workers and management with the tools for personal coal dust monitoring and
reducing their exposure.
 Real-time Measurement: The PDM3700 monitor provides three primary, real-time
measurements: primary current mass concentration, primary cumulative mass
concentration and percent of limit. Two secondary user-initiated measurements are also
available and can be performed without interfering with the primary sample.
 Low per sample cost: Dust exposure results are automatically computed, eliminating the
need for filter transport and handling steps connected with the manual gravimetric
method. This automatic method leads to a significantly lower per-sample cost then with
manual sampling and has the added benefit of continuous information availability.

1.2 Dataram 4
The DataRAM 4 measures the concentration of airborne particulate matter (aerolized liquid or
solid), as well as mean particle size, air temperature and humidity, providing direct and
continuous readout as well as electronic recording of the information. It covers a wide
measurement range: from 0.001 mg/m3 to 400 mg/m3 , a 4 million-fold span, corresponding to
very clean air up to extremely high particle levels.

Figure 2 Data Ram 4

The Thermo Scientific DataRAM4 displays and records air temperature and humidity. In
addition, air temperature and humidity are displayed and recorded. With appropriate particle
discriminators, it provides measurements correlated with PM10, PM2.5, PM1.0, and respirable
fractions. The proprietary two-wavelength particle detection system provides the volume median
particle diameter of the sampled aerosol, over a concentration range up to 400 mg/m3
1.2.1 Working
The DataRAM 4 monitors the concentrations of fine particulates in ambient air by a combination
of aerodynamic size preselection, two wavelength nephelometry, and concurrent
sensing/correction for relative humidity.This patented technique provides a continuous
measurement of PM2.5, independent of particle size and moisture- without heating, diffusion
drying, or denuding the sample stream.
1.2.2 Advantages
 Monitors mass concentrations offine particulate (PM 2.5)
 Measure scattering, angstrom coefficients, and visual range
 Self-calibrating, internal filter is designed for use in the field
 Expanded I/O functionality and connectivity capabilities
 Complete digital communications
 Easier component accessibility
 User interface designed for quick, easy operation and programming
 Accessible and interchangeable components
 Common electronics and spare parts
1.2.3 Limitations
 High humidity may cause elevated readings.
 Annual factory cleaning and calibration required.
 Routinely change dust filters.
 Not designed to sample highly corrosive aerosols or solvent fumes.
 The DataRAM4 must be protected from all forms of precipitation.
 Never operate without one of its internal filters in place.
 Due to the relatively low flow rate, the unit may not be applicable for fence line
monitoring of cleanups involving low concentrations of contaminants in soil.
2. References
 https://assets.thermofisher.com/TFS-Assets/LSG/Specification-Sheets/D00100~.pdf
 http://www.thermo.com.cn/Resources/200802/productPDF_18518.pdf
 https://www.thermofisher.com/order/catalog/product/PDM3700#/PDM3700