Fugitive dust is caused by small particles created from material impact (transferring, crushing, breaking) and wind erosion. Particles less than 200 microns become airborne from air displacement in the transfer systems or wind. Dust particles less than 10 microns are respirable and create a health hazard.
Handling of a material creates opportunities for the dust particles to become airborne and become a fugitive emission. This creates health, housekeeping and safety issues.
The percent moisture of the material and the amount of fines present, impact dust levels. Typically, at moisture levels above 8% dust will not be a problem. At moisture levels below 4%, dust will be significant.
Dust challenges vary depending upon the material being transferred. As an example, western coal is more friable than eastern coal and has less surface moisture. As such, western coal is dustier than eastern coal.
Many materials (especially coal) do not want to be wetted by water alone. This is due to the material and water having the same electrical charge, and repelling each other (much like trying to put two magnets together), and the difference in size between the dust particle and the water droplet. This can be overcome by "drenching" the material, but this can have a negative impact in the handling system (chutes plugging, belt tracking, freezing problems), and create costly BTU penalties in burning the treated material.
The recent emphasis in changing to western coals, coupled with new environmental and health regulations, has resulted in the need for dust control programs that "make water work better", with lower water addition rates. Information on AKJ Industries dust control programs follows.
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Process Dust: Click here to view products.
Road Dust: Click here to view products.
Railcar Top Sealant: Click here to view products.
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