Keeping haul roads free from dust

Preventing dust building up on haul roads is important for health and safety and environmental control. Excessive dust can also be an expensive problem with costs arising from vehicle and haul road maintenance and the use of water bowsers to suppress dust.

Worcester-based Air Spectrum Environmental Ltd, however, believe their recently launched Spectrum Haulage Road Dust Control (HRDC) product can minimize all three of these costs by: providing longer-lasting suppression to reduce watering needs; cutting the cost of vehicle maintenance by up to 15%; and preserving the working condition of haul roads.  

Working in conjunction with a water bowser, Spectrum HRDC is a specially engineered chemical for the control of dust on haul roads that is said to make water-based dust control over 100% more effective and provide substantial cost savings as a result.

It is added to a water bowser at a dilution rate of 1 litre for every 5,000 litres and suppresses dust in a number of ways. For example, it increases the wetting penetration of water, resulting in better and more sustained use of water and preventing puddles and run-off on haul roads.

Another major benefit is that every time the additive is used, it leaves a dormant residue once the water has been absorbed or evaporated. This residue increases future dust suppression, due to the effect of having a higher dilution rate.  

Air Spectrum Environmental claim their HRDC additive can save up to 70% on operational costs, as opposed to water alone, based on reductions in fuel consumption, labour, water usage and equipment.  

Spectrum HRDC costs £2.15 per litre, and in tests has proven to be environmental friendly with no negative effects on people, machinery or water sources.  

Air Spectrum Environmental Ltd, Spectrum House, Perrywood Trading Estate, Wylds Lane, Worcester WR5 1DZ; tel: (01905) 362100; fax: (01905) 362101.