Trailer-Mounted Dust Suppressor
In response to customer input from several different industries, Dust Control Technology (DCT) designed the DustBoss® DB-60 FusionTM – a powerful suppression system with an efficient diesel generator – which can be hauled to job sites that lack a convenient power source (Fig. 1). The innovation brings even greater versatility to one of the most popular and effective dust suppression designs on the market, able to deliver up to 5834 m² of coverage. “We engineered the Fusion to be highly mobile, with its own power source, able to be easily towed anywhere on a job site”, said DCT President Laura Stiverson.
The DB-60 Fusion forces water through a circular stainless steel manifold with 30 atomizing spray nozzles, then launches millions of tiny droplets with a powerful 18.64 kW fan that produces 850 m³/min of air flow. Atomized mist droplets of 50 to 200 µm in size are thrown out in a 60 m cone at an adjustable 0 to 50 ° elevation angle, capturing airborne dust particles and dragging them to the ground. Unlike industrial sprinklers used for the same purpose, which can require 1893 l/min or more of water, the DB-60 uses about 87 l/min to help avoid pooling or runoff.
The unit is paired with a 45 kW gen set featuring a John Deere Tier III Flex engine featuring a 378.54 l-gallon fuel tank, allowing up to 24 hours of runtime. The efficient diesel engine delivers 60 Hz with a full load current of 46 amps. The Fusion also has a 120 V outlet to provide jobsite power for any accessories or tools. The DB-60 and gen set are mounted together on a heavy-duty trailer with a steel frame and roadworthy tires for towing at highway speeds. Weighing a total of 2971 kilos, it can be towed with virtually any vehicle with suitable towing capacity equipped with a Class IV ball hitch.
At just 2.03 m wide, it can be placed virtually anywhere dust suppression is needed and adjusted based on changes in wind or work activity. The optional dosing pump is powered from the standard 120 V electrical outlet on the gen set, allowing operators to precisely meter surfactants or other additives. The unit’s versatility makes it suitable for uneven ground, as well as open spaces or tiered terrain.
Water sources can vary, and the unit requires a constant supply pressure of just 0.069 bar. Standard municipal water pressures are generally around 3.44 bar. The water is delivered through a 38.10 mm hose with a cam-and-groove quick disconnect coupling leading to the booster pump. The pump adds approximately 10.34 bar, with a maximum of 17.23 bar, depending on the inlet pressure. For use with a non-potable water source, the Fusion is equipped with an in-line 30 mesh, 595 µm filter system that can be easily cleaned (Fig. 2).
A touch screen panel for controlling the dust suppression unit is encased in a NEMA 3R cabinet allows operators to control oscillation, booster pump, fan and water. The cabinet is constructed for outdoor use, designed to provide protection against ingress of solid foreign objects (such as dirt), air (dust, emissions), water (rain, sleet, snow) and ice formation. In addition to the control panel for the DustBoss, the unit features a convenient on/off function for the gen set located outside the generator itself. Full control and maintenance readings are located on a control panel inside, but operators do not need to access the interior to turn it on and off.
Maintenance requirements for the new design are minimal, even though the unit carries an industry-leading 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.
