AbstractsEngineering

The widespread and ever-increasing use ot Diesel engines as a mode ot locomotion has brought to the fore the problems presented by their toxic and evil-smelling exhaust gases. During the past 25 years, the Diesel engine has been found to be both mechanically and economically superior to many of the other types ot combustion engines, both internal and external, commonly used in heavy-duty haulage trucks and locomotives, and hence, at the present time its use in these fields has become very extensive. However, in underground haulage operations, the use of Diesel engines has been severely curtailed, chiefly because of the problems presented by the noisome and noxious gases that issue from the engines as exhaust. Other difficulties, such as the fire hazards presented by the storage of large quantities of fuel oil or by the possible ignition of gaseous combustible materials, such as methane or coal gas, in contaot with the hot engine or its exhaust, have also placed great restrictions on the use of Diesels underground. But the toxicity of the exhaust gases still remains the most pertinent reason inhibiting widespread adoption of Diesel powered locomotives in mines on this continent. The hazards presented by the use of Diesel engines in mines and tunnels have been investigated extensively in Europe (21,30,66), and later, in America (3,7,8,30,39). As a result of these investigations, considerable research has been carried out in an attampt to eliminate these hazards. [...]