Dry Dust Research Articles

Intercomparison of WRF-chem aerosol schemes during a dry Saharan dust outbreak in Southern Iberian Peninsula

The Iberian Peninsula (IP), where this study is conducted, has experienced an increase of the frequency and intensity of Saharan aerosol dust outbreaks over the latest decades, which may have an impact on its regional climate. The Weather Research and Forecasting model coupled with chemistry (WRF-chem) has been used worldwide to simulate dust outbreaks and can support the analysis of such potential impacts. However, it includes multiple alternative aerosol parameterization choices that have not been conveniently evaluated in the study region yet. Here, three of the most popular WRF-chem aerosol parameterization schemes, namely, the Goddard Chemistry Aerosol Radiation and Transport (GOCART), the Model for Simulating Aerosol Interactions and Chemistry (MOSAIC) and the Modal Aerosol Dynamics Model for Europe (MADE) schemes, are inter-compared during a strong and dry dust outbreak on July 2021 in southern IP. The results show that the three schemes predict qualitatively similar dust intrusion patterns that are consistent with ground observations and have inter-model dust loading differences smaller than 4%. However, their average dust size distributions differ notably. While GOCART is reasonably consistent with observations, MOSAIC underpredicts the amount of dust particles with sub-micron diameters and overpredicts that of large particles and MADE does the opposite. This is found to have a strong detrimental impact on the prediction performance of dust optical properties in MOSAIC and MADE, which is related, at least partially, with issues in the required inter-sectional redistribution of dust parameters during the dust emission and calculation of optical properties. Overall, GOCART generally appears a better choice for strong and dry dust outbreak events in southern IP. It remains to be evaluated during wet dust outbreaks, which is a work underway.

Optimizing PV Module Efficiency: Investigating the impact of Dry and Wet Dust on Solar Panel Output Power

Solar photovoltaic modules convert sunlight into electricity through the photoelectric effect. Dust accumulation on PV modules can significantly reduce their output electrical characteristics such as voltage, current, and power. The power reduction is attributed to the decrease in the amount of light reaching the solar cells due to the absorption and scattering of light by the dust layer. The magnitude of the power reduction depends on the amount and type of dust component of the solar panel. In this work, four dust components such as red soil, sand, wood power, and bird drooping are considered to test the PV performance. An indoor experimental setup is developed to test the dust impact on the PV modules using an artificial sun simulator. Experimental shows that the effect of dust accumulation on the voltage and current characteristics of solar panels is complex and depends on various factors. The percentage of degradation of output power is measured using dust under dry and wet conditions. Moreover, different amounts of dust such as 1gm, 3gm, 5gm, 7gm, and 9gm are considered for dry conditions, and 3gm and 5gm are considered for wet conditions. Bird drop causes a maximum degradation of 24.5% in dry conditions and it reduces by 17.2% in wet conditions. GUB JOURNAL OF SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING, Vol 10(1), 2023 P 68-74

Design and Analysis of Fugitive Dust Emission Collector

This creative project explores the design and analysis of a novel fugitive dust emission collector, with a focus on its application in stone crusher units and crematorium facilities. Recognizing the detrimental health and environmental impacts of dust emissions, this project proposes a multifaceted approach. The core solution involves a combined system, this captures and removes larger dust particles through established methods like cyclones or bag houses. Dry fog dust suppression system, this technology utilizes atomized water droplets to suppress smaller fugitive dust particles, preventing their airborne spread. This project delves into the specific needs of stone crusher units and crematorium facilities. Utilizing CAD software, 3D models of the emission collector will be created, incorporating considerations like material selection, efficiency and airflow optimization, integration with existing infrastructure. Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) analysis by Simulating airflow patterns and dust capture efficiency within the collector. Assessing the collector's ability to withstand operational loads and environmental factors. This project aims to achieve, reduced fugitive dust emissions, enhanced environmental compliance, improved operational efficiency. Overall, this creative project showcases an innovative approach to fugitive dust control, potentially leading to improved environmental and public health outcomes in diverse industrial settings

Experimental study of dust emission intensity from the surface of the alluvium beach

The paper presents data on the current state of waste storage facilities of mining and processing plants in Kryvyi Rih. They are complex, environmentally hazardous hydraulic structures. When assessing the extent of dust pollution from tailing ponds, it is extremely important to know the intensity of dust emissions from the surface of the alluvium beach. This parameter is the basic one in all prognostic models used to predict environmental pollution. The paper presents the results of experimental studies to determine the wind speed at which the removal of dry dust particles from the surface of the beach of a tailing pond begins, as well as the intensity of dust removal from the surface of the beach for dry sand and wet sand. The experimental studies conducted in the laboratory allowed obtaining data on the intensity of dust emission from the surface of the tailing dump beach. The results obtained by the authors make it possible to more accurately assess the degree of environmental dustiness using predictive models. The data on determining the intensity of dust formation for sand of different moisture content will be useful for determining the effectiveness of dust suppression by supplying water to the beach surface.

Short-term and long-term effects of exposure to PM10

IntroductionA dust storm is a harmful event in the environment and human health resulting from certain chemicals in the air that transcend predefined levels. Developing countries, such as Iran, suffer from this basic threat (dust particles) to health. The purpose of the research was to evaluate the effects of PM10 particulate matter on mortality related to cardiovascular diseases (CVD) in the year 2022–2023 in Andimeshk City, with the AirQ + programmed. Material and methodThe recommended approach for evaluating effects on health, as recognized by the world health organization (WHO), uses the Air Quality Health Impact Assessment Software (Air Q 2.2.3). The polluted air information required for model runs was obtained from the Environmental Department of Khuzestan. The Khuzestan Meteorological Organization gave information on the levels of particulate matter for both dusty and non-dusty days. The mortality numbers came from the Iranian Statistics Centre and the Health Ministry. The data was collected in a volumetric manner for the year 2022–2023. ResultThe lowest PM10 concentration reported in a year in Andimeshk city belonged to January 9 (14.19 μg/m3), while the most polluted day of the year was November 6 (5634.61 μg/m3). The total monthly concentration of PM10 for April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December, January, and February respectively, 2917.9, 3227.82, 3175.89, 2966.24, 3520.46, 3393.1, 4671.07, 13121.26, 3042.63, 1851.67, 2627.52, and 6758.12 μg/m3. ConclusionThe results of this study showed that the studied area is a polluted city in terms of the concentration of dust particles. So, during a year, only 8 days, PM10 concentration did not exceed the standard. One of the main reasons for air pollution in Andimshek city is the neighborhood of Khuzestan province with Iraq and Saudi Arabia, which have dry areas and dust storms.

Analysis of constituent factors affecting the state of dedusting of aspiration emissions

A significant part of industry is occupied by technology that is involved in the processes of manufacturing products, for example, sanitary ware factory, foundry, chemical or sugar industry. At such enterprises a large amount of dusty air is generated, which comes from various technological processes. Dust and gas collecting devices are used to purify dusty air. Depending on the state of dust and air flow, its fraction, dust dispersion and the method of collection, different aspiration devices are used. Aspiration devices are divided by the method of dust collection into wet or dry. Each of these types of aspiration devices has its own advantages and disadvantages, which are discussed in this article, such as increased aerodynamic or hydraulic resistance, regeneration of the device, the size of the trapped fraction, the need to use flushing fluid, etc. The classification of plant types for selection to a specific process or needs depends on the most efficient method of collection, particle dispersion and energy efficiency of the dust collector. Wet dust collectors have more diverse forms, designs and applications than dry dust collectors. Wet dust collectors are divided into groups depending on the state of the liquid phase (devices in which dust deposition occurs on a film of liquid, foam devices, turbulent dust collectors or condensation devices) and on the method of dispersion of the liquid (nozzle scrubbers, devices in which crushing is carried out due to the energy of the gas-air flow or dynamic gas washers). In this article, the designs and operating features of various wet dust collectors of each of these groups are considered in accordance with their characteristics of dust collection, liquid flow rate and design shortcomings. On the basis of the works of a number of researchers, the characteristics of the fractional degree of air purification from dust are graphically presented to determine the most effective apparatus for capturing fine fractions. The conclusions are made and further tasks and plans for conducting the necessary experiments and analysis of the data of scientists' works are set.

Respirable Coal Mine Dust in the Vicinity of a Roof Bolter: an Inter-laboratory Study to Compare Wet Versus Dry Dust Collection Systems

Respirable Coal Mine Dust in the Vicinity of a Roof Bolter: an Inter-laboratory Study to Compare Wet Versus Dry Dust Collection Systems

The Threads That Weave Me

The Threads That Weave Me

Investigation into the Flow of Gas-Solids during Dry Dust Collectors Exploitation, as Applied in Domestic Energy Facilities – Numerical Analyses

The paper presents the results related to the simulation of dust-separating tangential cyclones: single cyclones of various geometries, and an axial multi-cyclone with fixed geometries and components. Its goal was to apply low-cost analyses for cyclones in industrial realization. Therefore, the presented research was applied with simulation methodology as a problem of Computational Fluid Dynamics. The models were analyzed using SolidWorks Flow Simulation software. The presented dust collectors are real-life objects, applied in industrial facilities. For a multi-cyclone, the increase in the number of blades, from 5 to 8, together with the change in the angle of a blade’s pitch i.e., 30° and 45°, resulted in dust concentration along the internal walls from just 10% for 5 blades up to c.a. 37.5% for 6 blades, and c.a. 50% for 8 blades, whereas the dust concentration in the device’s central part equals c.a. 20% for the last option. The model validation draws attention to the potential applicability of the software in flow issues alongside common and more complex numerical environments.

Sediment Grain-Size Composition in the Permafrost Region of the Greater Khingan Range and Its Significance as a Material Source

Sediment grain-size distribution (GSD) provides rich information about sedimentary sources and can potentially do the same with regard to environmental and climatic changes. However, neither traditional descriptive statistics nor curving-fitting methods can fully address its complexity. We selected the Greater Khingan Range in northeastern China as the study area and used parameterized end-member analysis (EMA) of the GSD of four drilling cores to extract different end-member (EM) components. The results show that EM1 (mode particle size (Mo): 1.26–1.66 μm) originates from weathering and pedogenesis. The EMs with Mo values of 4.37–5.01 μm represent components transported by the upper westerly wind. EMs with Mo values of 7.58 μm and 11.48 μm represent wet dust deposition and dry dust deposition. The wind transport of particles in winter consists of low-level near-source transport and local-source transport (possibly from the flood plain of the Amur River). Due to the limitations of the EM model, the two sources have one or two EM components: AEM3 + AEM4, BEM3 + BEM4, CEM4, and DEM4. DEM5 is the only large particle-size component and may represent coarse-grained detritus generated via rock weathering. The components related to the winter monsoon and the 14C dating data suggest a weak-strong-weak-strong trend of the winter monsoon since the Marine Isotope Stage 3a (MIS 3a). Our results suggest that the strengthening of the winter monsoons in the previous few thousand years has caused the transportation of coarser grain sizes and further exacerbated permafrost degradation, providing a scientific reference for understanding climate change and the formation and evolution of permafrost in the Greater Khingan Mountains since the MIS 3a.

Spatio-temporal evolution of long-range transported mineral desert dust properties over rural and urban sites in Central Europe

An exceptionally strong and very fast (120h) mineral dust inflow from North Africa to Poland was predicted by NMMB/BSC-Dust and NAAPS models on 10–11 June 2019. Simultaneous measurements with two complex lidar systems at the EARLINET-ACTRIS urban site in Warsaw (Central Poland) and the PolWET peatland site in Rzecin (Western Poland) captured the evolution of this dust event. The advected air masses had different source areas in North Africa, they were reaching each station via independent pathways, and thus, were unlikely mixed with each other. The excellent capabilities of the next generation PollyXT lidar and the mobile EMORAL lidar allowed for the derivation of full datasets of aerosol optical properties profiles that enabled comparative study of the advected dust properties evolution. Within a mere 350 km distance between Warsaw and Rzecin, distinctly different dust properties were measured, respectively: dry mineral dust composed mainly of coarse mode dust particles (50 ± 5 % of the total particle backscattering profile) versus the wet mineral dust dominated by fine dust particles (58 ± 4 %). A new parameter fine-to-coarse dust ratio (FCDR) is proposed to describe more intuitively mineral dust composition.

The Effect of Abrupt Changes to Sources of PM10 and PM2.5 Concentrations in Three Major Agglomerations in Mexico

In the three major urban agglomerations in Mexico (Mexico City, Monterrey, and Guadalajara), a significant change to anthropogenic sources of air pollution happened in March–May 2020, when policies implemented to stop the spread of the COVID-19 virus in Mexico caused the reduction of some anthropogenic sources of air pollution. We study the effect of these significant changes to air pollution sources using satellite-retrieved aerosol optical depth (AOD) and particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5) concentrations from ground stations. The Chow test was applied to study trend changes in PM concentrations from 1 January to 30 May 2020. The Mann–Whitney non-parametric test was then used to compare average PM concentrations in April and May pre-lockdown, during lockdown in 2020, and post-lockdown in 2021. The assessment was further performed by evaluating the exceedance of national air quality standard maxima. The trend analysis showed that PM10 concentrations were reduced during lockdown in Mexico City and Monterrey, whereas no change was found for PM10 in Guadalajara and PM2.5 in the three cities. Further analysis showed that in Mexico City and Guadalajara, average PM10 and PM2.5 concentrations decreased by 12% in April and May 2020. However, in Monterrey, average PM10 and PM2.5 concentrations increased by 2.76% and 11.07%, respectively, in April 2021 due to a severe drought that caused dry soils and dust around the city. The results of this research can be used to implement policies for reducing anthropogenic sources to improve the air quality in urban areas.

Investigation and model simulation of dry and moist (haboob) convective dust storms in Yazd Province, central Iranian plateau

Investigation and model simulation of dry and moist (haboob) convective dust storms in Yazd Province, central Iranian plateau

Improving the efficiency of dust collectors and modernization of the aspiration system in cotton cleaning plants

On the basis of MPC of substances in the atmospheric air the values of maximum permissible emissions (MPE) are established, which ensure compliance with hygienic standards in practice. One of the ways to reduce emissions of dust and other pollutants into the atmosphere is the introduction of modern or two-stage equipment for cleaning pollutants. The results of the analysis show that the efficiency of dust extraction at the surveyed enterprises has decreased. It is possible to improve the efficiency of existing dry mechanical dust collectors, i.e., to install additional filters or to install modern electronic filters.

Impact of dry deposition flux and dust intrusion phenomena on elemental concentrations of air particulate matter

Depositions of trace elements of air particulates in the atmosphere have gained much attention in recent times due to their environmental, climatic and health impacts. In the current study, trace elements of size-segregated rural and urban particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM2.5−10) were characterized using particle-induced X-ray emission method. Effects of dry deposition flux and Saharan dust intrusion on the elemental concentrations were determined. The mean elemental concentration in the rural fine PM ranged between 0.0002 ± 0.0002 μg m−3 (for Se) and 0.6658 ± 0.5816 μg m−3 (for S) whereas in the urban fine PM the concentration ranged between 0.0007 ± 0.0008 μg m−3 (for As) and 0.5869 ± 0.3429 μg m−3 (for Ca). In the coarse PM fraction, concentration ranged between 0.0001 ± 0.0001 μg m−3 (for Se) and 0.5886 ± 0.5343 μg m−3 (for Ca) at the rural site; and between 0.0002 ± 0.0002 μg m−3 (for Se) and 1.9201 ± 1.911 μg m−3 (for Ca) at the urban site. Mainly crustal elements (Al, Ca, Fe) and ‘pollution’ source element (S) recorded high and significant dry deposition fluxes across the two sites in both PM modes. Deposition flux was relatively higher in the coarse than in the fine PM mode. The average dry deposition flux estimated for fine and coarse PM at the rural and urban sites were 33.68 ± 57.19 μg m−2 day−1 and 47.71 ± 92.19 μg m−2 day−1; 36.66 ± 61.95 μg m−2 day−1 and 107.02 ± 237.71 μg m−2 day−1, respectively. Mainly crustal (Al, Ca, Fe) and “pollution” (S) element recorded high and significant dry deposition fluxes across the two sites and in the two PM modes. The impacts of dust on climate, air quality, and the environment in general have increased the need to better understand the dust flow system. In the current study, dust intruding the study area from the Sahara was analyzed using the NMMB/BSC dust model. The model’s output indicated that, the highest daily surface dust concentration was observed in the central and south-west of Turkey which corresponded with the peak period of Saharan dust transport to the Eastern Mediterranean in the month of March.

Рішення щодо реконструкції систем аспірації коксо-сортувалень.

The paper summarizes the information on the operation of existing coke sorting aspiration systems at coke plants. It is shown that, according to the data of instrumental measurements carried out at operating coke plants, the actual emissions of dispersed particles from the exhaust pipes of coke sorting plants require the development of measures to reduce the emissions of suspended solids into the atmosphere. At the same time, almost all coke plants at coke sorting plants with wet coke quenching have aspiration systems with one-stage cleaning in wet dust collectors, which is justified by the relatively low initial dust content of the aspiration air. At the same time, at coke sorting plants, after dry coke quenching, the dust content of the aspiration air is much higher and reaches 10 g/m3. Given the high dust content, aspiration systems at such enterprises provide for a two-stage purification - in dry cyclones of the first stage of purification and in wet dust collectors of the second stage. Conclusions are drawn on the efficiency of coke dust collection processes in various dust collectors, and a justification for the use of dry methods of aspiration air purification in coke sorting systems is provided. A new concept of an aspiration system with a dry dust collection method is presented and recommendations for the modernization of existing systems are developed. The basic technical requirements for the use of dry cleaning of aspiration air of coke sorting plants in bag and pocket filters (for sieving and transporting wet quenching coke) are presented. Recommendations for reducing the possible relative humidity of aspiration air in coke sorting systems (during sieving and transporting wet quenching coke) have been developed. The design features of aspiration units with a dry method of aspiration air purification for wet coke quenching paths are presented. Keywords: coke production, coke dispersal facilities, coke sorting plant, aspiration system, dust removal unit, pollutant emissions. Corresponding author: T.F. Trembach, e-mail: ozos@giprokoks.com

Lethal Effects of Imergard WP, a Perlite-based Dust, on Amblyomma americanum (Ixodida: Ixodidae) Larvae and Nymphs.

As resistance in economically and medically important ixodids (hard ticks, Ixodida: Ixodidae) to conventional synthetic toxin-based acaricides has become increasingly widespread, research efforts to identify alternative control tactics have intensified. Laboratory bioassays on the lone star tick, Amblyomma americanum (L.), as a model for other ixodid species, were conducted to assess the efficiency of Imergard WP perlite-based dust versus CimeXa, a silica gel-based insecticidal product that is highly effective against ixodid larvae and nymphs. Each of the two inert desiccant dusts immobilized A. americanum larvae and nymphs within 4-6 h, and killed 100% of the ixodids by 24 h after contact by brief immersion in dry dusts, and after they crawled ≈7.3 cm across a filter paper disc treated with the dusts. Contact by crawling on a dried aqueous film of the dusts, however, did not immobilize and kill the ixodids by 24 h. Similar to silica gel-based desiccant dust, dry perlite-based Imergard WP dust might prophylactically protect cattle and other animals from medically and agriculturally important ixodid pests. Perlite can potentially be stored indefinitely, it can retain its lethal properties for as long as adequate amounts remain on a substrate, and it might be acceptable for limited application in environmentally sensitive habitats.

Effects of Dry and Wet Negev Soil–Dust Deposition on the Induction of Autoxidation of Soil–Dust Lipid Components

Lipids and their oxidation products were quantified in loess samples from the Negev Desert (Israel), well known to be a source of desert dusts in the eastern Mediterranean Basin. The results obtained showed the presence of higher plant material (angiosperms and gymnosperms), but also bacteria and fungi. Although a strong autoxidation of lipids could be demonstrated, the resulting oxidation products appeared to be weakly accumulated, likely due to the high temperatures and solar irradiance observed in the Negev Desert. Incubation of this dust analogue in fresh water (to mimic their behavior in rainwater) resulted in the release of metal ions (mainly iron), but also a fast heterolytic degradation of their weak content of hydroperoxides. Induction of autoxidation processes in dry and wet atmospheric dusts arising from the Negev Desert in seawater (needing simultaneous presence of metal ions and hydroperoxides) seems thus very unlikely due to the relatively high pH of seawater hindering metal dissolution and the degradation of hydroperoxides in rainwater.

Dust Explosion Risk Assessment for Dry Dust Collector Based on AHP-Fuzzy Comprehensive Evaluation

Dry dust collectors are a typical dust and gas coexistence space. Dust explosion risk assessments should be performed for effective prevention and control of dust explosion accidents. In this paper, a dust explosion risk assessment index system for dust removal systems was constructed following the dust characteristics and the actual operation of a dry dust collector. The proposed system consisted of three first-level indexes (dust explosion characteristic parameters, environmental parameters in the dust collector box, use state of explosion prevention and control device) and seven second-level indexes (dust explosion sensitivity, dust explosion severity, temperature in the dust collector box, pressure difference between inlet and outlet, operating state of spark detection, operating the explosion venting disc, and operating state of the lock gas ash discharge valve). The analytic hierarchy process was adapted to calculate the weight of each index. Additionally, a dust explosion risk assessment model for the dust removal system was constructed using the fuzzy comprehensive evaluation method to form a set of dust explosion risk assessment methods suitable for dry dust collectors. The risk of explosion was assessed at level II through the use of paper powder with a particle size of 75 μm, which means this method is reliable.

Radon emanation from dust of varying composition and size

222Rn emanating from environmental dust constitutes an important background component for many low-energy, low-rate experiments. Radon emanation rates from dust and rock, thus, are important for experiment planning. In this paper, we report measured radon emanation fractions for five types of dry dust differing in grain size and composition. These data were obtained by a novel technique in γ-spectroscopy, measuring emanated and non-emanated 222Rn progeny activities as well as the parent 226Ra activity in a time series. The range of observed radon emanation fractions is (3.7 ± 2.0)% to (16.2 ± 0.9)%. Four of the five samples are standardized samples available commercially, so additional investigations of these samples may be readily carried out.