how to remove a lot of crushed coal from basement?

 
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Post by caryatid » Mon. Dec. 10, 2018 12:53 pm

Hello,

I am looking for some coal-expert advice.

I just pulled out a wood floor in my 118 year old basement and found that it had been laid over 4" of crushed coal, which had presumably collected there over decades of coal storage in that room. I started to shovel it into a bucket to carry out and realized it was making a lot of dust, then thought about the pilot lights on my modern water heaters a few feet away, so I stopped.

I would like advice on how to safely remove these two or so cubic yards of broken and pulverized coal without causing an explosion.

If I spray it with water to keep down the dust, will it become immovable mud?
If I get a big shop-vac will the electric motor cause it to explode?
Are you allowed to use a vacuum truck for coal dust? Could I wet it first?
Can I dispose of it in the regular trash dump?

This feels like one of those situations where I could come up with an answer on my own that seems logical and then it could go wrong...

Thank you for your expertise!


 
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Post by CapeCoaler » Mon. Dec. 10, 2018 1:08 pm

Dust Deputy...
Used coffee grounds to keep the dust down...

 
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Post by McGiever » Mon. Dec. 10, 2018 1:39 pm

Shopvac with a swimming pool long vacuum hose and a long extension cord...to get some distance...then use a drywall dust sweeper bag inside shopvac...replace sweeper bags as they fill up.
Coal came from the ground...no problem returning back...fine coal dust is what is used in better quality water filtration filters. ;)

 
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Post by caryatid » Mon. Dec. 10, 2018 1:52 pm

Cape Coaler,

How would I use coffee grounds to keep the dust down?

McGeiver,

I was wondering about that: keeping the vacuum outside the window. At least then the explosion will not be inside with me... Will keeping the dust inside of bags prevent explosion, by separating the motor spark from the dust?

Thank you both.

I'm still wondering about a vacuum truck. I have 2-3 cubic yards for coal to remove, about 500 gallons. That is a lot of shop-vacs-full.

 
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Post by Lightning » Mon. Dec. 10, 2018 2:27 pm

I don't think anyone has ever reported an explosion from coal dust. I'd think it's safe to remove it anyway you see fit. I'd recommend wearing a dust mask if you stir up a lot of dust in a confined area.

 
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Post by warminmn » Mon. Dec. 10, 2018 2:52 pm

Turn the power off to the appliances with the breaker that goes to them and any other electric lines that go to the basement. Turn off gas supplies. That will eliminate the ignition point. Still you have to be careful about creating a spark. I think I'd very lightly water or oil it down with a sprayer just to keep the dust down too.

 
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Post by caryatid » Mon. Dec. 10, 2018 2:55 pm

Lightning, That seems not to be the case:

https://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php/Coal_dust

"Coal dust suspended in air is explosive -- coal dust has far more surface area per unit weight than chunks of coal, and is more susceptible to spontaneous combustion. As a result, a nearly empty coal store is a greater explosion risk than a full one."


 
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Post by biggerpatterson » Mon. Dec. 10, 2018 2:57 pm

Some video of coal dust explosions https://www.bing.com/search?q=coal+dust+explosion ... =EUPP_UE11 I spent many years working underground and control of coal dust was always a priorty
Last edited by biggerpatterson on Mon. Dec. 10, 2018 3:01 pm, edited 1 time in total.

 
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Post by caryatid » Mon. Dec. 10, 2018 2:58 pm

Warminmn. Thank you. That is what I am thinking to do if I can't get a vacuum truck to come out and suck it all up.

I guess I am prepared for Bedlam until I get rid of this coal...

 
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Post by caryatid » Mon. Dec. 10, 2018 3:31 pm

BIGGERPATTERSON
Thank you. Some of those are pretty alarming!

 
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Post by CapeCoaler » Mon. Dec. 10, 2018 4:05 pm

sprinkle damp coffee grounds on top of dusty item...
Holds down dust...
Vacuum truck fast and easy on the back...
But not on the wallet...
Shovel, 5 gallon buckets and a teenager...
Better on the wallet...
You want a good respirator...
not a cheap paper filter...
No matter who is doing the cleanout...

 
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Post by Lightning » Mon. Dec. 10, 2018 4:15 pm

Do you coal delivery guys worry about a basement explosion when pouring in tons of coal?

Is there warnings on bagged coal about coal dust explosions? I've never looked, maybe there is.

 
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Post by CapeCoaler » Mon. Dec. 10, 2018 4:21 pm

It need a proper air fuel ratio to be explosive...
Grain silos, empty 5 gallon gas container...
Given the right circumstances every thing burns/explodes...
Couple of tons in a basement is dilute enough not to cause problems...
In a vacuum hose it might be a problem...
Wood shops have a ground strap in the dust collectors hoses...

 
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Post by lsayre » Mon. Dec. 10, 2018 4:37 pm

biggerpatterson wrote:
Mon. Dec. 10, 2018 2:57 pm
Some video of coal dust explosions https://www.bing.com/search?q=coal+dust+explosion ... =EUPP_UE11 I spent many years working underground and control of coal dust was always a priorty

Thanks for posting this!

 
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Post by scalabro » Mon. Dec. 10, 2018 4:56 pm

I get static shocks when I vacuum the ash pan drawer on my stove if the humidity is low enough, so I guess it could happen.


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