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Dust Control Handbook for Industrial Minerals Mining and Processing

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High-volume, high-pressure sprays should be avoided. The energy of the spray transfersto the material particles, resulting in more dust production [Goldbeck <strong>and</strong> Marti 2010].The amount of moisture applied should be varied <strong>and</strong> tested at each operation todetermine the optimum quantity, but a one percent moisture to product ratio is a goodstarting point. Excess moisture can promote slippage <strong>and</strong> adversely affect conveyor beltper<strong>for</strong>mance in cold weather conditions.Some studies indicate that wetting the return side of the conveyor belt also helps tominimize dust liberation. This practice reduces dust generation from the idlers as well asat the belt drives <strong>and</strong> pulleys.Water sprays located on the top (wetting the product) <strong>and</strong> the bottom (reducing dust fromthe idlers) at the same application point can be a very effective strategy [Courtney 1983;Ford 1973]. These locations are also beneficial from an installation <strong>and</strong> cost st<strong>and</strong>point.Fan spray nozzles are the most commonly used because they minimize the volume ofwater added <strong>for</strong> the amount of coverage. It is more advantageous to locate the watersprays at the beginning of the dust source (i.e., the dump or transfer location) because asthe water <strong>and</strong> ore continually mix together, the wetted surface of the ore grows involume, increasing the suppression potential <strong>and</strong> reduction in dust liberation.Using more spray nozzles at lower flow rates <strong>and</strong> positioning them at locations closer tothe ore is more advantageous than using fewer sprays at higher flow rates [NIOSH 2003].Suppression of airborne dust involves the application of water, either untreated or chemicallytreated, in the <strong>for</strong>m of spray, fog, or foam to prevent the dust fines from escaping into the air.Fog <strong>and</strong> foam are less used than water application alone, in particular because of the potentiallyhigher costs <strong>and</strong> chemical contamination issues.SCREW CONVEYORSScrew conveyors are one of the oldest <strong>and</strong> simplest methods <strong>for</strong> moving bulk materials(Figure 5.17). They consist of a conveyor screw rotating in a stationary trough. Material placedin the trough is moved along its length by rotation of the screw. Screw conveyors can bemounted horizontally, vertically, <strong>and</strong> in inclined configurations.Figure 5.17. Depiction of a typical screw conveyor.Conveying <strong>and</strong> Transport 147

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