Dust Suppression System

Dust Suppression System

WHAT IS DUST SUPPRESSION?

Dust suppression is the application of liquid to restrict the airborne dissemination of fine particles.

Very commonly, this involves using strategically-placed atomising nozzles to spray a fine mist of water and surface active agents to capture airborne dust particles and bring them to the ground. Some dust suppressants are applied topically to sources of fly-away dust, preventing the dust from becoming airborne.

WHY DO I NEED DUST SUPPRESSION?

Dust kills people!

If we said to you that there were more than 13,000 work-related deaths in Great Britain in 2018, and asked you to guess the most common cause, you may well guess that it is slips, trips and falls, or collisions with forklifts or other vehicles.  Yes, these high-profile workplace accidents are often devastating and are much publicised by the news, which may explain why they are at the forefront of your mind.

Dust Suppression Using Water

When using water, whether on its own or with an additive such as a surface active agent, there are a number of different methods of suppressing dust.  These range from the manual tractor and bowser method, through to a fully automated air atomising system that is turned on or off electronically by a specific event such as a door opening.

There are a number of differences between these extremities.

One is a manual operation requiring the constant input of a person while the other can be turned on and left, or automated to turn on when a specific event triggers an electric switch.

The tractor and bowser method is also applying the dust suppressant to the body of material to restrict the smaller particles being carried off into the air, while the air atomising system involves a dust suppressant being applied to the surrounding air in order to return the airborne particles to the ground.

There is also a big difference between the size of the water particles.  Air atomisation enables tiny particles or water, which increases the number or droplets and reduces the surface tension of the water.  This means when the water droplets collide with the dust particles, instead of the dust bouncing off the 'skin' of the water, they merge and the increased weight of the dust particle causes it to fall to the ground.

The tractor and bowser method also requires a lot of water.  Outdoor dust suppression during hot weather can require about 4 litres or 1 gallon of water per square metre per day.  This means 100 square metres would use about the same amount of water as a family of four.  Air atomising systems, on the other hand, would use a lot less water.

Each method is more applicable to different applications and one cannot necessarily be switched for another.

Dust Suppression Using Surface Treatments

 With new technologies evolving all the time, other products are being created that do a better job than water in certain situations.

The challenge with water is the fact that when it evaporates, the product returns to its former dusty self.  In sunny weather this becomes a significant issue because thousands of litres of water can be dispensed on a product, only to evaporate a few hours later.

To counteract this issue, dust suppression products are now available that don't evaporate and continue to suppress dust 6 months after they have been applied.

Other products have also been developed to suppress dust in ways that water can't, such as creating a crust over the top of the product or by gluing the particles together to prevent fly away dust.

WHAT CAN I USE TO SUPPRESS DUST?

Installed Dust Suppression Systems

Installed systems consist of 2 main components: a control panel and a line of nozzles.

The control panels require both power and water and come in either an Eco or Premier model.  For a simple on/off system, an Eco control panel will provide excellent dust suppression in almost any situation.  For optional extras, such as timers, multiple channels and frost thermostats, a Premier control panel will provide you with the bells and whistles you need.

The line of nozzles can be installed in a number of different ways and on almost any surface.  Each nozzle is carefully located near the source of any dust emissions.