Development of Emission Factors for Quantification of Blasting Dust at Surface
- 1
- 2
- 3
Abstract
Environmental impact assessment (EIA) and environmental management plan (EMP) is a statutory requirement for execution of new mining projects or for expansion of the operating projects. For this purpose, quantification of blasting dust emission is required. This can be done by developing emission factors for blasting. The concept is similar to that of specific charge in blasting. For mining operations other than blasting, quantification of dust can be done using emis- sion factors. Emission estimation techniques are very limited for blasting. In this study, the emission factors were de- veloped by carrying out a detailed field study at one of the largest opencast coal mines of India in all four seasons. Da- ta on atmospheric and meteorological conditions were generated by installing sodar and automatic weather station at the mine site. Respirable dust samplers were installed for monitoring of the dust emitted during coal or overburden bench blasting. Emission factors for dust concentrations were developed in gram per cubic meter of rock excavated. The developed emission factors were used to estimate dust emissions for adjacent mines due to similarity in mining and meteorological conditions. Seasonal variations in moisture contents in benches, where dust was monitored, indicated the lowest emission factors in monsoon due to high moisture in the bench materials. Similar field studies were also conducted at another coalfield of India for two seasons. It was found that the emission factors are site-specific.
- U. S. Environmental Protection Agency, “Compilation of Air Pollutant Emission Factors. Volume I: Stationary Point and Area Sources,” Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards, Research Triangle Park, NC 27711, January 1995.
- R. J. Bryan, “Emission Factors for Bulk Materials Process Fugitive Emissions,” PM-10: Implementation of Standards: Transactions: APCA/EPA, International Specialty Conference, San Francisco, February 1988, pp. 336-352.
- C. F. Cole and R. L. Kerch, “Air Quality Management,” In: B. A. Kennedy Ed., Surface Mining, Society for Mining, Metallurgy, and Exploration Inc., Colorado, 1990, pp. 841-859.
- G. R. Adhikari, “Empirical Methods for the Calculation of the Specific Charge for Surface Blast Design,” FRAGBLAST - The International Journal for Blasting and Fragmentation, Vol. 4, No. 1, 2000, pp. 19-33.
- U. S. Environmental Protection Agency, “Review of Surface Coal Mining Emission Factors,” Emission Factor and Inventory Group, Research Triangle Park, NC 27711, July 1991.
- U. S. Environmental Protection Agency, “Revision of Emission Factors for AP-42,” Section 11.9, Emission Factor and Inventory Group, Research Triangle Park, NC 27711, September 1998.
- Environment Australia, “Emission Estimation Technique Manual for Mining,” Version 2.3, December 2001, http://www.npi.gov.au.
- U. S. Environmental Protection Agency, “Compilation of Air Pollutant Emission Factors,” AP-42, Office of Air and Radiation Office of Quality Planning and Standards, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27711, 1985, http://www.epa.gov/
- Anon, “Compilation of Past Practices and Interpretations by EPA Region VIII on Air Quality – Mining,” USEPA, Region VIII, Denver, 1979.
- K. Axetell and C. Cowherd, “Improved Emission Factors for Fugitive Dust from Western Surface Coal Mining Sources,” Volume II: EPA Contract No. 68-03-2924, US Environmental Protection Agency, Cincinnati, OH, July, 1981(a).
- K. Axetell and C. Cowherd, “Improved Emission Factors for Fugitive Dust from Western Surface Coal Mining Sources,” Volume II: Pre-Publication Copy, US Environmental Protection Agency, Cincinnati, November 1981(b).
- National Pollutant Inventory, “Emission Estimation Technique Manual for Explosives Detonation and Firing Ranges,” March 1999. http://www2.unitar.org/
- Environment Australia, “Emission Estimation Technique Manual for Mining and Processing of Non-Metallic Minerals,” November 1999. http://www2.unitar.org