"The Bureau of Mines performed laboratory research to determine the effects of a barium-based fuel additive on diesel particulate emissions. The test engine was typical of types used to power underground coal mining equipment. Test parameters consisted of baseline measurements without additive, three fuel additive concentrations, and five steady-state engine loads, all at 1,200 r/min. Additive effects on soot mass concentration, opacity, particle size distribution, volatile fraction, and nox emissions were determined. Important findings are as follows: using the manufacturer's recommended additive concentration increased the gravimetrically measured mass of particulate by 30 to 80 pct at four of the five steady-state load conditions. Soot measurements by optical methods did not agree with those by gravimetric techniques, for additive-treated fuels. The additive reduced volatile hydrocarbons adsorbed on filter deposits, by up to 50 pct. At most engine loads, carbon particulate was also reduced. About 40 pct of the barium added to the fuel was accounted for in the exhaust. The health implications for miners were considered, but no firm conclusions were drawn or recommendations made because the results are for steady-state conditions, which may not be representative of real-world operation of diesel-powered equipment underground." - NIOSHTIC-2 NIOSHTIC no. 10005993

National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health