Among all the dust suppression systems available, water is one of the most important. It is also a good source of dust control. The methods used in this system are Surfactants, Chlorides, and Intelligent dust suppression systems. These systems are formulated to minimize dust levels while ensuring optimal worker health. The article below gives an overview of the most common dust suppression systems and outlines the importance of each.
Water
There are several types of dust control solutions for mining. One of these is haul road watering, which requires massive water. The dust from huge ore stockpiles can cause serious health problems, damage the environment, and increase mining costs. Rainstorm has been trialing alternative dust control procedures for the past five years. It has been found that an emulsion polymer called Gluon is an effective dust suppression solution.
The use of water for dust control in mining areas uses massive amounts of fuel. Using water to control dust requires approximately four liters per square meter per day, equivalent to one gallon per 10.8 square feet. To calculate the exact amount of water needed, multiply the square footage of a mining area by three to account for roads, ribs, and other areas. Water trucks can also slow down other trucks carrying important cargo, exacerbating the problem.
Aside from water spraying, water is also used for rehabilitating areas. Using water as a dust suppressant in mining areas can benefit the environment because it can agglomerate the dust particles in the air and fall under gravity. It can also reduce the number of workers exposed to mining dust. It can lead to a reduction in the health of workers and other people in the area.
Surfactants
There are several ways to suppress the dust in mining areas. One method is water infusion. Water sprays are effective because the sprays are atomized. Another method involves using foams on the broken ground to cover dust particles. Surfactants increase the wetting capability of dust particles and reduce the water tension in water droplets. They can also significantly reduce the amount of water needed for dust suppression.
Water sprays can be enhanced by adding surfactants to the spray solution. They are effective in capturing both coarse and fine dust. The surfactants’ efficiency depends on the type of coal and surfactants used.
Conventional systems for dust suppression are made from water and an anionic surfactant. They work by combining fatty acids with water to form an emulsion. This foam is then sprayed into the falling coal mass. Asphalt dissolved in moderately heavy oil, residual flush oils, and fuel oils are suitable surfactants. Preferred oils have a molecular weight of at least 300 and a boiling point of at least 204 deg C.
The use of these chemicals has a few disadvantages. The main disadvantage is that they have poor wind resistance and low adhesion capacity to dust particles. In a mining environment, these dust suppressants are not effective enough. They are not a perfect solution for dust suppression in mining areas, but they may help to reduce the risk of silicosis among mining workers.
Intelligent dust suppression system
The development of an Intelligent dust suppression system by Global Road Technology for mining areas has the potential to reduce the amount of dust in mining operations. In the past, water spray has been used to control dust in mines, but it was more haphazard than an engineered system. Wetting dust with water makes it heavier and pulls it from the air.
An Intelligent dust suppression system for mining areas can be customized to suit each area. The system will be installed in the mining areas where most dust is produced. The solution to this problem will depend on the dust particles’ size and location in the air. A system that accurately measures wind speed, temperature, and humidity will allow a mining company to know precisely which sections need specific remedies and what methods will work best.
A new technology called the DustFinder+ uses a virtualized dust control system that allows the operator to adjust the intensity of their system as necessary. This technology can also identify areas of high risk, such as mining. The ATMOS Global DustFinder+ also provides an integrated 5-D dust impact forecasting system that targets productivity improvements in critical areas of mining operations. ATMOS Global is committed to developing intelligent dust suppression systems for mining areas.
