Dust control with Sandvik
Controlling dust and erosion in quarries is vitally important for all operators, as they have a responsibility to reduce noise and minimize the spread of dust and fines to the surrounding environment. To help companies fulfil these requirements, Sandvik have introduced a telescopic chute that helps reduce the spread of dust and fines during the last step of mineral processing – from conveyor belt to stockpile.
‘The Sandvik telescopic chute with its patented design has proven to be a reliable and cost-efficient solution, and today many plants around Europe operate the system,’ said Johan Renmarker, a global product line manager with Sandvik Mining and Construction. ‘The telescopic chute creates a better working environment and reduces operational costs, clean-up costs and production losses.’
The chute, which is made up of a number of cone segments, is available in two sizes for belt widths of 500–800mm and 800–1,200mm. It features an ultrasonic level sensor, which adjusts the level of the cone segments to maintain an optimum distance to the stockpile, while the underpressure inside the chute prevents dust from leaving the chute.
Constructed from wear-resistant polyurethane for longer service life and intervals, the telescopic chute can be equipped with a PLC for fully automatic operation or can be operated from the control cabin.
For even more efficient dust control during bulk material conveyance, Sandvik say their ionization-based electrostatic dust-suppression system, the HX410 (formerly called Roxon Clear), can offer a dust suppression rate of over 90%.
Widely used around the world with nearly 170 units in operation, the Sandvik system is of modular design and is a simple device with very low operating and maintenance costs. It is suitable for retrofit/installation on new and existing conveyor systems, and unlike most other dust-suppression systems, such as water-spraying equipment, the device has no suction, filter, sprinkler and disposal costs.
The HX410 unit works efficiently on bulk material transfer points from one conveyor belt to another, preventing the dust from spreading over the conveyor area. Bulk material and dust is fed into the housing of the HX410, where a corona electrode ionizes the air. This causes the air molecules to collide with the dust, as particles are electrostatically charged and drawn towards the housing.
A vibrator periodically shakes the housing to ensure dust particles fall back on to the conveyor. The HX410 picks up particles ranging from 0.01 to 100 microns, and comes in two standard sizes for belt widths of 400–650mm and 800–1,400mm. All units above 1,400mm are custom made.
