Comparison of the cyclone and the horizontal elutriator for sampling respirable dust in a Utah coal mine

A field investigation was conducted comparing proposed optimizing parameters for estimating respirable dust according to British Medical Research Council (BMRC) criteria using a Dorr-Oliver 10 mm cyclone and the parameters presently applied under federal law. Side-by-side samples were collected in an underground Utah coal mine with 10 mm cyclones at 1.2, 1.4, 1.7, and 2.0 liters per minute (£pm) and an MRE horizontal elutriator. The cyclone concentrations were statistically compared to the elutriator concentrations. Random errors were too large to conclusively confirm or disprove the cyclone optimization theory. The data demonstrated trends which are more supportive of the 1.2 ilpm, k = 0.91 optimizing criteria than the 2.0 ilpm, k = 1.38 criteria outlined under the Federal Coal Mine Health and Safety Act. The results of this study will be useful in planning more in-depth future research.