Mine Dust and Black Powder
12 June 2023
Mine dust and black powder are contaminants which can occur in natural gas transport pipelines. Mine dust occurs in pipelines dating back from the time when coke oven gas was transported. Mine dust contains amongst others toxic cyanides and thiocyanates, as well as rust, sand and clay.
Black powder is a mixture of corrosion products resulting from the interaction of iron with sulphur and/or oxygen (iron sulphides and rust). Black powder can also contain sand, clay and elemental sulfur. Black powder is also sometimes referred to as black dust.
This MARCOGAZ technical note describes risks and mitigating measures regarding Mine Dust and Black Powder.