Labor protection equipment exhibition | New KN100 Respirator Boosts Dust Protection in Mining
Recently, the KN100 graded filtration dust-proof half-mask, independently developed by the Institute of Occupational Hazard Research at the China Academy of Safety Science and Technology (CASST), completed comprehensive field performance trials at the Shendong Coal Branch of the National Energy Group. With its impressive on-site performance, this new protective equipment has become a hot topic and standout new product at Labor protection equipment exhibition.
Researchers selected Bulianta Coal Mine and Shangwan Coal Mine, conducting hundreds of field performance tests in real mine environments targeting key underground occupations including fully mechanized mining, tunneling, support, and hydraulic support operations. Field test data confirmed that the product meets all KN100 protection standards and is well-suited for high-dust coal mining environments.
Underground dust concentrations in the coal mining industry remain persistently high, and long-term inhalation of ultra-fine mineral dust can easily lead to pneumoconiosis—a persistent challenge in occupational health management for mining operations. Traditional dust masks commonly suffer from rapid filter clogging, rapidly increasing breathing resistance, frequent filter replacement, and high usage costs. Many mining enterprises have long faced the dilemma of being unable to balance protective effectiveness with wearing comfort. Addressing these industry shortcomings, the CASST R&D team focused on innovation in dust filter material structure, proposing for the first time a graded layered filtration development approach that breaks through the limitations of conventional single-layer filter design.
The product employs a dual-layer combined structure of metal fiber filtration layer and water-electret melt-blown fiber, while optimizing the metal fiber staggered weaving process. The outer metal fiber layer relies on a three-dimensional woven structure to achieve preliminary interception of large-particle total dust, with coarse dust interception efficiency exceeding 92%, reducing fine dust penetration into the inner layer from the source. The inner melt-blown filter material incorporates a new generation of water-electret electrostatic charging process, capturing micron-level fine mineral dust through electrostatic adsorption. The overall filtration efficiency of the complete mask reaches 99.98%, fully meeting the stringent KN100 technical indicators specified in GB 2626-2019 national standard. Unlike disposable filter masks, the outer metal fiber support layer supports manual patting for dust removal and water washing for reuse, with single patting dust removal efficiency exceeding 85%, significantly slowing the dust accumulation rate of the inner fine melt-blown filter material. This effectively resolves the common problems of traditional masks such as rapid dust accumulation causing breathlessness and sudden increases in breathing resistance, substantially extending the core filter material service life and helping mining enterprises reduce routine labor protection consumable procurement costs.
After all-weather underground wearing trials, frontline miners provided objective positive feedback from multiple perspectives including wearing comfort, sealing performance, and dust protection effectiveness. Su Wenqing, an operator at Bulianta Coal Mine, stated that the dual-layer graded filtration structure is novel and scientifically designed, with underground dust blocking effectiveness far exceeding previously used products. Wang Jie, a miner at Shangwan Coal Mine, noted that after dust accumulation in the mask filter cartridge, simple patting is sufficient to dislodge dust, and after clearing the filter passage, breathing is smooth with no noticeable breathlessness during the entire shift. Fellow worker Wang Jianqiang added that the mask body is lightweight, the silicone material contacting the face has no pungent odor, the facial fit and sealing are excellent, and after completing the shift there is no black dust accumulation around the mouth and nose, making the dust protection effect visibly apparent.
Backed by outstanding field performance, this KN100 graded filtration dust-proof half-mask has already been deployed in bulk at multiple large mining central enterprises including the National Energy Group, China Coal Group, Shandong Energy Group, Shanxi Coking Coal, Huaibei Mining, Zijin Mining, China Railway Resources, Shandong Gold, and China Grain Reserves Group. It has been applied across multiple scenarios including underground mining, ore extraction, and warehousing powder processing, achieving outstanding dust prevention results and effectively reducing the risk of pneumoconiosis among workers.
Going forward, the CASST R&D team will continue to deeply explore graded filtration technology mechanisms, iteratively optimize filter material formulations and mask structures, and expand the product's adaptable applications across multiple dust-intensive industries including metallurgy, building materials, and powder processing. Through independently developed labor protection technology, they aim to strengthen the occupational health and safety barrier for frontline workers.
Source: https://chinasafety.ac.cn/main/xwzx/yngz/2025-01-26/19403.html
