Type de document

Rapports de recherche scientifique

Année de publication

2005

Langue

Anglais

Résumé

The measurement of carbon monoxide concentrations in the exhaust of diesel engines allows the identification of engines needing maintenance. Selecting the right instruments and the protocol to be followed is very important. The objectives of the work presented in this report are the selection and evaluation of the measuring instruments, as well as the selection of the protocol to be followed. The work related to the evaluation of the measuring instruments was carried out in the laboratory and underground, in order to identify the factors that could affect the measurement protocol.

The results demonstrate that colorimetric tubes can be used to measure carbon monoxide (CO) directly in the exhaust. Constraints related to the expected concentration range (100 – 1,000 ppm) and to health and safety are such that some of the colorimetric tube systems appear to be more advantageous than others. CO measurements can also be made with direct-reading instruments, but it is important to ensure that the technical personnel are well-trained and that the instruments are calibrated and maintained on a regular basis.

The protocol to be followed to measure CO is described in detail in this report. One of the most important questions at the protocol level is the operating parameters (speed and torque) of the engine during the test. Most countries where such measurements are made require that the engine be operated under dynamic load while the sample is being collected. This operating condition is the one that is most likely to reveal problems at the engine level. However, this raises several questions concerning the health and safety of operators and technicians. Moreover, the impact of this kind of test on the vehicle power train is unknown.

The results of this study show that, in theory, the use of colorimetric tubes based on a measurement protocol, where the engine is maintained under dynamic pressure, would be ideal. However, some questions remain regarding the health and safety of the sampling personnel and potential damage to the vehicles that are being tested.

Consequently, the use of a measurement protocol without dynamic load is recommended in this report. The choice of colorimetric tubes or continuous-reading electronic instruments is left to the discretion of mining operators. The protocol is described in detail in this report.

Mots-clés

Instrument de mesure, Measuring instrument, Échantillonnage et analyse, Sampling and analysis, Gaz d'échappement, Exhaust gas, Monoxyde de carbone, Carbon monoxide, CAS 630080, Mine, Mining industry, Tube indicateur, Detector tube, Colorimétrie, Colorimetry, Instrument de mesure à lecture directe, Direct reading meter, Choix du matériel, Choice of equipment, Méthodologie, Methodology

Numéro de projet IRSST

0097-0950

Numéro de publication IRSST

R-436

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