Abstract
Re-suspension of iron ore dust presents a constant hazard in the working environment within steel production plants. Herein, the optimal operating parameters for maximum dust suppression efficiencies through a water mist generator and a conventional sprinkler for particulate matter (PM) originating from an iron ore pile measuring about 2 m in height and with a stacking angle of about 30° are investigated. The effects of operating parameters including wind velocity, spray angle, and mode of water supply on dust suppression efficiencies are evaluated. Size differentiated PM samples were collected from the upwind and downwind locations of the iron oral pile and the dust suppression efficiencies are determined. The operating parameters with the highest dust suppression efficiencies using the water mist technology are low spray angle, low wind velocity, and intermittent water supply, while those for water sprinkling technology are high spray angle, low wind velocity, and intermittent water supply. The average dust suppression efficiencies for Total Suspended Particles (TSP), PM10, and PM2.5 for the mist generators are 80.9%, 77.9%, and 76.9%, respectively, whereas those for the conventional sprinklers are 76.4%, 72.9%, and 72.7%, respectively. For the surfactant to water ratios of 0.024, 0.022 and no surfactant, the ratio of 0.024 had the highest dust suppression efficiencies for TSP, PM10, and PM2.5 at 90.9%, 89.5%, and 89.0%, respectively. Insights from this investigation can be applied to optimize the dust suppression methods to ensure economical consumption of water and energy.
Highlights
In the operation of a steel plant, a significant concentration of particulate matter (PM) is emitted from the raw material storage site especially in the iron ore piles
Particle size and specific gravity are positively correlated to the critical wind velocity, implying that the heavier the dust particles, the higher the wind velocity required to raise them up
The concentrations of PM2.5, PM10, and Total Suspended Particles (TSP) at the downstream end of the fans are obtained under different wind velocities ranging from 0 to 3 m s–1, where they were 9.7, 62.2, and 99.1 μg m–3, respectively, while those at the wind speeds ranging from 3 to10 m s–1 were 18.7, 196.1, and 248.4 μg m–3, respectively
Summary
In the operation of a steel plant, a significant concentration of particulate matter (PM) is emitted from the raw material storage site especially in the iron ore piles. These PM are characterized by Aerosol and Air Quality Research | https://aaqr.org a low height, temporal mass flow, and high concentrations are usually observed in the vicinity of the source (Ghose and Majee, 2002; Gladtke et al, 2009; Yadav et al, 2019). The re-suspension force on the dust particles needs to exceed their binding potential for a successful transfer from the surface of the bulk particles to the dust phase
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
