A Strategy to Reduce Nitrous Gases from Blast Fumes in Underground Mining
Alexander Hutwalker, Clausthal University of Technology
Blast fumes are one of the major sources for NOx in underground mines. In 2016, the Occupational Expose Limits for NOx in Germany were reduced by 90%. This leads to big challenges for the mining industry. The task is to keep re-entry times after blasting at the present level and thereby ensure an economic operation of the mine. Measurements show that using ventilation solely is not sufficient; the re-entry times would more than double. For this reason, a new approach to reduce NOx from blast fumes in underground mining operations using spraying systems with absorbency solutions is described. Laboratory experiments were performed and a reduction of NOx was observed. Measurements were conducted in an underground mine at blasting operations.
