With more than 25 years of experience working in surface and underground mining, ABCDust offers smart, sustainable dust control and soil stabilization solutions to companies worldwide.
In this article, we will present another successful case of applying our solutions.
The specific case is a mine of Hudbay Minerals in Manitoba, Canada. According to the studies performed on the customer’s specifications (geographical location, meteorology, climate, humidity, road material, and physical condition of the roads), the application of DMS-DS® 100 was established.
DMS-DS® 100
DMS-DS® 100 is specially designed for soil stabilization and dust control of industrial roads, haul roads, and well-compacted surfaces, improving its comprehensive strength and road materials agglutination. It can also be used on coal stockpiles/trains/trucks, preventing the creation of wind-borne coal dust, thus protecting the environment and saving valuable coal.
DMS-DS® 100 is formulated with environmentally friendly nano polymers, surfactants, and proprietary minerals. APE-free surfactants and no added formaldehyde.
DMS-DS® 100 is added to watering trucks, mixed with water, and sprayed onto road surfaces. It improves dust suppression performance while reducing water by at least 80% by extending the dust suppression effects four to five times longer than water alone.
- Wetting effect
It improves the suppression ability by enhancing the adhesion & spreading abilities of water on coal particles. - Foaming effect
Producing elastic and low surface tension foam to reduce the humidity and prolong the effect. - Foaming adhesion effect
Making the forming foam together to form microlayers overlapping each other, with each application. - Foaming adhesion effect
Making the forming foam together to form a tight layer.
DMS-DS® 100 accumulates, whereas a binding seal is created and reinforced with each application. Its nano-polymer size binds PM10 and PM 2.5, preventing the creation of wind-borne material.
Main attributes and characteristics
- Reduce dust levels up to 85-95%;
- Improve road braking distance, improving road safety;
- Improve rolling resistance, reducing fuel consumption;
- Nontoxic & non-corrosive product;
- Excellent water and UV resistance;
- Acid and alkaline water resistance;
- Non-Ionic
The area where the additive was applied corresponds to the roads around the Stall concentrator and has the following information:
- Estimated surface area: 8,000 sqm (1 km long x 8 meters wide);
- With traffic of 150 trucks per day, with the gross weight varying between 40-50 tons;
- Soil Type: Limestone with clay content;
An additive application rate of 280-380 ml/m2 was recommended for these characteristics.
Water Truck Details
- The additives were applied with the aid of a MACK 2007 truck with a 4,000 gallons tank and 8 feet wide;
- The application speed used varied between 15 to 20 kph (9 to 12 mph);
- The measured application rate was 1 L/sqm.
- And the application bar used was the Flute type.
Measurements and monitoring of the area before the use of the suppressor additive.
Through the activity of monitoring emissions of particulate materials in the air, using state-of-the-art measuring equipment, the following conditions were observed on the client’s roads:
PM10 Road dust emissions* :
Average (mg/m3) : 3.44
Maximum (mg/m3) : 13,06
EPA TWA 8 Hours (mg/m3) : 0.150
According to the measurement data, it can be seen that the emissions were above what is recommended for clean operation.
Results observed after application of the additive DMS-DS 100
After monitoring and analyzing the dust emissions verified on-site, the application program for the DMS-DS 100 additive was started at a dilution of 7%, until the optimum concentration was calibrated according to the site characteristics to obtain the optimum value, saving resources and maximizing efficiency.
As you can see from the graph below, the level of dust suppression achieved in the short term was 99.8%. With this level of control, the water consumption used in the program was reduced considerably by 90-95%.
The application of the additive was carried out in September, and it can be seen that the life span of the additive lasted until the end of the dust season.
After the technical analysis of the results obtained, the post-monitoring, and the inspection of the operation areas, observations were made to the client to guide the continuous improvement of the dust suppression program and ensure its effectiveness over time.
Among the recommendations are:
Roads: Monitor dust suppression application rates and frequencies toward maintaining 90-95% efficiency. Improve water truck irrigation bar or increase application speed to 20-30 kph to reduce emulsion runoff.
Crusher and Stockpiles: Mitigate dust emissions from open crushers and stockpiles. Improve encapsulation, vacuum, chutes flow, and dry fog systems with low temp resistant emulsions.
DMS-DS 100 dust suppressant additive is specially developed for industrial roads, haul roads, and well-compacted surfaces, improving their comprehensive resistance and binding of road materials. The additive reduces dust levels, improves braking distance, and is environmentally friendly and weather resistant. DMS-DS 100 was chosen for this case in Manitoba for these attributes and characteristics.
After initial analysis, application of the solution, and subsequent monitoring, the expected improvements of the product were observed, and it showed efficiency in dust control, delivering the promised results. The progress and results of the dust control and soil stabilization solutions that ABCDust guarantees to its customers are the results of subsequent applications and years of research and development.
ABCDust always works to continuously improve the suppression program with continuous monitoring and additive calibration solutions, ensuring long-term program efficiency and improving results while reducing dust suppression costs.
ABCDust provides intelligent and sustainable dust control and soil stabilization solutions to the mining, forestry, and construction companies worldwide. Our solutions combine high-performance dust control and soil stabilization additives with sensors, controlled application equipment, and an integrated management system to deliver the best performance, safety, and sustainability for our customers’ sites.
We take this opportunity to congratulate Hudbay Minerals in Manitoba for their continued efforts in the pursuit of effective dust control at their operations and their constant purpose of improving environmental quality, occupational health, and safety for their workers and surrounding communities.
We invite other companies to do the same in their operations and stand ready to help them achieve this goal.