Tag Archives: dust suppression

Global Road Technology to expand dust suppression reach with TotalEnergies pact

Automation, Environmental, Mining consumables, Mining services, Sustainable mining, Water management, , , , , , , ,

Queensland-based engineering solutions company Global Road Technology has announced an exclusive partnership with TotalEnergies to distribute its dust suppression products.

The new partnership with TotalEnergies Marketing Australia, a subsidiary of TotalEnergies SE, will see it become its exclusive distributor.

TotalEnergies will supply a suite of environmentally safe, sustainable and cutting-edge dust suppression products, designed to stabilise soil while stopping the spread of airborne particulate pollution at mine sites. This partnership will be transformational for GRT, according to GRT CEO, Troy Adams.

“This partnership with TotalEnergies Marketing Australia will be transformational for our business and the entire GRT team is looking forward to the opportunity to significantly build our presence within the Australian and international mining services market,” he said.

“What is becoming apparent is that the reputation of GRT for providing eco-friendly, sustainable and effective products to control particulate pollution for the purpose of protecting the environment, mining site personnel, along with local communities, is growing and was one of the core drivers of this new deal. One of the most exciting elements of our new relationship with TotalEnergies is that it will provide us the ability to promote and grow our autonomous SMART (sustainable, mining, autonomously, reporting technology) Dosing Units that use data and automation to help in mitigating particulate pollution to the mine sites serviced by the wider TotalEnergies network.”

GRT’s product suite of dust suppression, non-toxic chemical applications twinned with its engineered dosing and application techniques has seen it emerge as a national leader in the development of infrastructure and process solutions for the global markets, and sees it well-placed to capitalise on this growth, the company says. Automation is a core focus of GRT’s product offering for the mining sector worldwide with its SMART Dosage Units (SDUs) being one of its most in-demand products.

Adhering to the company’s ISO 9001 certified quality management system, these Australia-manufactured SDUs consist of a central control and satellite communication module. This is combined with electrical and mechanical hardware that provides the ability to remotely control and automate product dosage, error detection, and flow rates – using IoT technology. They are also equipped with Wi-Fi technology to allow for remote management and communication between units to ensure accurate dosage is distributed across the site, minimising wastage and maximising efficacy, it said.

GRT’s ‘whole-of-site’ dust solutions also extends to eco-friendly polymer based products like GRT: Haul-Loc and GRT: Activate that dovetail with these autonomous systems to deliver effective dust control and provide critical data to customers, it added.

TotalEnergies Marketing Australia National Mining Manager, Andrew Druwitt, said: “We are pleased to be appointed as GRT’s exclusive distributor, which complements TotalEnergies Marketing Australia’s mining offer and technical support for its customers. This partnership perfectly illustrates TotalEnergies’ focus on customer centricity by providing innovative products and services which address customer needs and also contribute to their sustainable development strategy.”

BossTek ups the dust suppression ante with new compact DustBoss DB-10 unit

Mining equipment, Mining services, Water management, , , ,

BossTek has introduced a new model to its atomised mist cannon range that suppresses indoor particulate emissions for industries such as raw material handling

The compact DustBoss® DB-10 is engineered for enclosed working environments, with the manoeuvrable unit providing excellent suppression in a compact, portable design, the company says. The outcome is effective airborne particle control with fewer emissions, less standing water and a safer, more compliant workplace.

“Our customers are well-acquainted with our technology, but before the DB-10, the smallest machine could nearly cover a football field, which is far too powerful for most indoor applications,” Mike Lewis, Dust Control Specialist at BossTek, says. “Our first customer to use the DB-10 was a demolition contractor removing dusty drywall, plaster and tile containing potentially hazardous materials. These all produce highly regulated dust emissions. We worked with them to create a unit best suited to their needs and the DB-10 was born. They are extremely happy with the outcome.”

The compact mist cannon is mounted on two wheels with a tall handle. A 0.75 horsepower (0.56 kW) fan delivers 3,335 cubic feet per minute (5,666 cu.m/h) of airflow, powered by 120 V current. Mounted on the front of the cannon is a circular manifold with 12 atomising nozzles that fracture pressurised water into a fine mist. The fan forces air through the barrel then pushes millions of tiny droplets in a cone-shaped pattern up to 10 m. Using the 0-50º vertical adjustment, the mist can reach into far expanses or be directed at specific emission zones. It is offered with a standard wheeled carriage but can be specified with alternate mounting as needed.

One driver of the new design is the fact that hoses create droplets up to 100 times larger than atomised mist, far too large to capture airborne particulates. They can use up to 100 gallons per minute (379 litres per minute) of water, causing excessive standing water and runoff, a potential hazard. The DB-10 addresses all these issues.

The DB-10 produces droplet sizes of 50-95 microns in size, roughly the same as the cross-section of a single human hair. This is important because regulators test for respirable dust 10 microns or less. The slipstream created by droplets greater than 200 microns in size can deflect tiny respirable dust particles, rather than absorbing them. That’s why hoses are generally not effective against airborne dust.

Using less than a quarter of the water volume of a handheld 25.4 mm hose, the DB-10 fills the area with a dust-trapping mist that stops particulates from remaining airborne or migrating away from the area, according to the company. The wide area of distribution and gentle settling reduces the chance of pooling and runoff.

BossTek brings in DustBoss DB-60 Surge reinforcement to fight dust

Mining equipment, Mining services, Water management, ,

BossTek says it has introduced an advancement in industrial dust suppression with a powerful cannon that is designed to fight dust with maximum efficiency.

Developed in response to the needs of customers in areas with variable winds, the DustBoss® DB-60 Surge® features water propelled at high velocity from a center nozzle, combined with an industry-proven fan and misting ring system.

With three remote-controlled stages and precision oscillation for optimum command over water volume and coverage area, the cannon uses high-powered jets that surge through the wind for over 250 ft (76.2 m) to suppress both surface and airborne dust. The result is effective and versatile dust mitigation in challenging weather for outdoor operations ranging from demolition to bulk material processing and storage, it says.

BossTek Dust Control Specialist, Mike Lewis, says: “Our customers operate in very different circumstances; some with high-reach excavators, some in open areas without natural barriers, while others are located in narrow corridors where wind velocity is amplified. What these customers have in common is the difficulty in controlling fine atomised mist during blustery conditions. So we worked with our industry partners, listened to their feedback and engineered our most versatile and innovative machine to date.”

The DB-60 Surge combines the power of an industrial fan, misting ring and heavy-duty barrel with the reach and force of a central high-pressure spray nozzle, BossTek explains. The pressurised spray resists wind shear and even uses the force of the wind to further fragment and carry the droplets, enhancing its dust suppression capabilities. This is achieved without the need for the high water output associated with a hydrant-dependent hose or industrial sprinkler system, the company claims.

In high-wind situations, dust is lifted into the atmosphere and carried beyond the site line over long distances, which can lead to permit violations. Operators of bulk storage mounds (such as mining companies), demolition sites, ports, recycling material piles, etc often mitigate particulate emissions using a sprinkler or hose to saturate a material’s surface. The higher the wind, the more water pressure is required to break through the shear, resulting in greater amounts of water filling the surrounding work area – often 300 gallons per minute (1,135 litres per minute) or more.

There are several issues associated with the use of hoses and industrial sprinklers. Hoses typically require manual labour, removing workers from other critical tasks. Moreover, both sprinklers and hand-held hoses contribute to high water bills. Taking compliance and expenses into consideration, the long-term cost of operation for sprinklers and hoses is higher than it might appear.

The DB-60 Surge addresses wind, labor and water usage issues. While striving to stay compliant with dust regulations, operators can now better match the water requirements to the specific application. Fed by a standard 1.5 in (38 mm) hose with a cam-and-groove quick disconnect coupling, the powerful booster pump delivers as much as 500 psi (27.5 bar) of water pressure to the centre nozzle, with an output of 37-100 g/min (140-378 l/min).

Controlled by a three-stage system adjusted by a hand-held remote, the first stage is highly effective on moderate days for airborne and surface coverage. It uses the powerful 25 hp fan and misting ring to deliver millions of fine atomised mist droplets over a wide area, which collide with tiny dust particles and drag them to the ground. For windy days, stage two features a pressurised stream delivered by the central nozzle. On high wind days, operators can use the fan, misting ring and centre nozzle for maximum coverage.

The versatility and coverage area is extended with the customisable 359º horizontal oscillation range and 0-50º vertical throw angle. Using the hand-held remote, the operator can raise the spray angle to reach extended heights, directing the 250 ft (76 m) spray to areas such as high-reach demolition or across the beam of large bulk cargo ships. The oscillation range is easily controlled with the left and right trigger of the remote control to customize the precise desired horizontal range.

Mounted on a heavy-duty roadworthy trailer for towing at highway speeds with a standard ball hitch, it can be placed by a pickup truck, skid steer or lift truck wherever dust suppression is needed. As supplied, the DB-60 Surge can run potable or non-potable water, as it is equipped with two in-line 30 mesh, 595 micron filters to avoid clogging. One filter is located at the water entry point to the booster pump, another prior to the pipe feeding the central nozzle.

After the initial setup, the DB-60 Surge requires no labour to operate. The remote control has a 1,000 ft (305 m) range, so operators using heavy machinery from high-reach excavators to front loaders can command the machine without leaving the cab.

Lewis mentioned that other options are already available, including tower mounting and a version of the company’s popular Fusion lineup, which pairs the Surge with a generator to alleviate the need for a nearby power source.

“DustBoss is known for its rugged quality and long equipment life, often described as one of the most reliable and low-maintenance pieces of equipment on any job site,” he added. “Our three-year or 3,000-hour warranty is evidence of our confidence in the products. The DB-60 Surge is designed with that same philosophy and is built to last.”

Quaker Chemical highlights dust suppression, ground control and fluid expertise

Coal technology, Environmental, Mine ventilation, Mining safety, Mining services, Water management, , , , , ,

Quaker Chemical Corp says its package of dust suppressants, ground control agents and longwall fluids address several of the mining industry’s ongoing needs.

High levels of respirable dust and quartz can cause visibility and other health and safety issues to mine workers, which is where its DUSTGRIP® dust suppressants come in.

These suppressants have been formulated, the company says, to:

  • Reduce the generation of airborne particulate matter from mines, roads, stockpiles, rail hauls, construction sites, quarries and other areas where air-born dust is a problem;
  • Increase site safety for workers by reducing levels of airborne dust and quartz, and;
  • Have a cumulative effect so they are longer lasting with lower maintenance cost when compared with water alone.

On top of this, it has its MINETECH™ Ground Control Agents within its portfolio. Designed to consolidate and stabilise unstable ground, as well as seal against water ingress, these ground control agents provide good penetration into small cracks and fissures, high adhesive strength and “Outstanding mechanical properties and flexibility to be an effective ground consolidation and stabilisation tool”, it says.

Fluid instability, sticky soaps, bacteria and corrosion can all be a risk to mine equipment and workers, the company said. “QUINTOLUBRIC® 818-02 has been developed as a 100% synthetic true solution that triples filter life through superior fluid dynamics and improved system cleanliness; reduces bacteria, keeping systems free of corrosion and plugged filters, and; is compatible with all commonly used longwall fluids for easy conversion.”

Mechel’s Trade Port Posiet tests out thyssenkrupp coal storage sprinkler system

Bulk handling, Coal technology, Environmental, Mining equipment, Mining services, Steel and iron ore, , , , , , ,

Trade Port Posiet, part of Mechel Group’s transport division (managed by Mecheltrans Management Co), has started testing specialised equipment to suppress dust at the port’s outdoor coal storage areas in Russia.

The port acquired a stationary sprinkler system for coal storage from thyssenkrupp as part of its technical upgrade investment project. This system consists of 22 automatic sprinklers that operate “as natural rain” and ensures year-round dust suppression in the production area. The system’s water discharge rate is up to 96 cu.m/h.

The first four sprinklers have been assembled, connected to a 2.9-km trunk pipeline and checked for pressure integrity, according to Mechel. After these tests, the port’s staff pronounced the first sprinkler line ready for launch. To prevent mechanical damage, the port constructed concrete safety barriers separating the sprinklers and haul roads.

The launching of the stationary sprinkler system at the port’s storage areas is the latest stage of the company’s efforts to upgrade the port’s infrastructure and reduce its environmental impact, Mechel said. It is due to be launched in the March quarter.

Mecheltrans Management Company OOO’s Chief Executive Officer, Alexey Lebedev, said: “A work zone sprinkler system is an efficient instrument widely used in specialised terminals dealing with loose goods. What is important is that the sprinkler system will be managed from a central dispatch. A special program will determine the sprinkler operating algorithm that would be the most effective in suppressing dust at any given moment.

“In addition, the trans-shipment complex’s operator will finetune the sprinkler system’s work, depending on the wind’s strength and vector, the state of handled coal and other factors. This way we will ensure accurate control of the dust suppression system.”

Trade Port Posiet’s technical upgrade project includes various ways of reducing the port’s impact on the environment. Coal is currently unloaded by railcar dumpers in a closed space equipped with de-dusting systems that rule out the chance of dust escaping into the open air. In the winter, railcars with thawed coal are moved after defrosting into the railcar dumper facility via a covered conveyor gallery. Coal transfer stations are also equipped with de-dusting systems. Conveyor lines are additionally equipped with metal galleries to protect the environment from coal dust. As coal is transferred into storage areas, it is moistened by a water dispersion system installed on stacker/reclaimers.

Mechel Group’s investments into creating a computerised terminal at Port Posiet exceed RUB4 billion ($61 million). The port’s trans-shipment capacity enables the company to export up to 9 Mt/y of coal.