DEVELOPMENT OF AN ANALYTICAL METHOD FOR CHOOSING EFFECTIVE RESIDUE SAND DUST SUPPRESSANTS

Achieving successful dust control by using commercially available dust suppressants is a challenge in the alumina industry. Over the past 20 years much work has been conducted in the field on minimising dust lift off from bauxite residue drying areas with mixed success. Part of the problem contributing to this challenge is the lack of scientific and field-representative laboratory methods available to quantify a material’s ability to reduce airborne dust.

This paper details the development of a controlled, systematic, laboratory based wind tunnel method which can quantitatively assess the effectiveness of a dust suppressant. The wind tunnel test provides both visual and gravimetric data to measure the effectiveness of a suite of dust suppressant products which has resulted in a thorough understanding of those best suited to the unique properties of residue sand.

The laboratory scale work was also successfully used to predict the outcomes in large scale applications leading to the implementation of superior and more cost effective dust minimisation and control strategies for residue sand.