Spray nozzles being used for dust prevention should be placed as close to the beginning of the transfer point as possible. The force of the moving material helps the water penetrate the material as it moves through the transfer point.
Nozzles in airborne dust suppression systems treat the air around the material and are generally placed at the end of transfer points so the material load can settle. Nozzles are positioned so they are spraying above the material and not on it.
Additional considerations
Keep nozzles out of the range of equipment or falling debris that could cause damage
Installation/Operation
- In operations using feed chutes, keep water pressure below 4 bar to avoid pressurization and forcing dust from the enclosure
- Using more nozzles at lower flow rates and positioning them closer to the material is usually more effective than using fewer sprays at higher flow rates
- Use flexible plastic strips around areas with water sprays for containment and inadvertent wetting of non-target areas
- Keep conveyor belts clean. Use a water wash system to spray and scrape build-up from belts and spray the bottom of return belts to reduce dust from a dry belt
- Use water instead of brooms to clean plant floors