Giant mobile dust control design delivers extended coverage
Dust Control Technology® has announced the introduction of its new and large trailer-mounted dust control system, a powerful atomized mist design featuring a range of 100 m and the ability to deliver 15 500 m² of coverage area (Fig. 1). The DustBoss® DB‑100 FusionTM is powered by its own 480 V/150 KW generator with a 6.8 l John Deere Tier III flex diesel engine, all securely mounted on one of several roadworthy dual-axle trailer options with stabilizing jacks (Fig. 2).
Designed for large open-air applications such as mines, coal handling plants and aggregate operations, the unit delivers effective particle control in a highly-mobile platform that can be positioned directly at the source of dust-generating activities, even on sites without an available power supply. The new design can even be specified with a high-lift pump for drawing water from a stationary source, such as a private pond.
Thought to be the most powerful mobile system available to control dust in large open areas, the versatile DB-100 Fusion features a 567 l fuel tank, providing about 32 h of run time without refueling. Doors are equipped with hinges and door stops for easy access, and the generator’s engine compartment is fitted with sound attenuation. Day-to-day operation can typically be managed by the remotely located on/off switch outside of the enclosure. For convenience, a 120 V receptacle for auxiliary tools and a plug-in for the battery charger and block heater are also located outside.
To achieve its 100 m throw distance, the DB-100 employs a 60 HP electric fan motor coupled with 10 - 90 psi of inlet water pressure that’s run through a booster pump to achieve pressures as high as 250 psi total. Unlike industrial sprinkler systems used for dust management, which can require as much as 1893 l/min of water, the DB-100 Fusion uses only about 143.8 l/min to help avoid pooling or runoff. The unit shatters the inlet stream into millions of tiny droplets in the range of 50-200 µm – an ideal size for suppressing fugitive dust particles in most cases. The device can also be customized with alternative nozzle options for specialized applications.
The standard machine is fed by a manifold of 30 nozzles that are specifically sized and positioned for the new design. The DB‑100 Fusion features simple, user-defined oscillation, along with adjustable elevation from -7º to 45º. It can also be outfitted with a dosing pump to accurately meter in surfactants or tackifiers to further enhance binding of dust particles. The unit can be set up to run potable water and can also be outfitted with a selection of filters to handle non-potable water sources. For applications in which the water source contains high amounts of sediment, additional external filters are available. For operation in cold climates, heaters for the enclosure and heat tracing for pipes are available as options, and each machine is equipped with multiple automatic drain valves to enhance freeze protection.
Users can easily set a custom oscillation range via the touch screen controls. The standard unit travels at a rate of 1 degree per second to provide ideal coverage, and the oscillator features a quick-release handle that allows the barrel to be repositioned in seconds, without using any tools. The touch screen on the control panel is also used to turn the fan and booster pump on and off, as well as to adjust the vertical pitch of the barrel using simple up/down arrows. When the generator is turned off, a battery backup feature automatically returns the machine to the horizontal position, which is safe for towing, before it shuts down completely. By providing mobile power, the design requires only a water source for operation.
Fire hoses and couplings are supplied and stored in easy-access tool boxes, along with a spare set of nozzles and basic tools. Maintenance requirements for the new design are minimal, even though the unit carries a 3-year/3000-hour warranty on the dust suppressor and a 2-year/2000-hour warranty on the gen set. If potable water is being used, nozzles typically need to be inspected just once per year. The turntable bearing on the oscillator should be greased annually or as needed for harsh service conditions and the fan’s motor and high-pressure pump should be lubricated every 10 000 hours. Like any diesel engine, the gen set should have regular inspections and changing of oil, coolant and filters. Although the new design is typically supplied to run on standard 480 volt power, customers can specify the unit in a wide range of voltages to suit locations virtually anywhere in the world.
