Dry Fog Dust Suppression for Conveyor Transfer Points
Conveyor transfer chutes are one of the most significant sources of fugitive dust in bulk material handling operations. As material falls from one conveyor to another, the impact and turbulence generated causes fine particles to become airborne, creating dust clouds that are difficult to contain and harmful to both employees and the surrounding environment. Our dry fog dust suppression systems are specifically engineered to control and suppress airborne dust within conveyor transfer chutes, capturing particulates at the point of generation before they can escape into the wider working environment.
How It Works
The placement of dry fog nozzles is the most critical factor in achieving effective dust suppression within a conveyor transfer chute. The dry fog spray is generated above the dust problem area and not directly onto the material itself, ensuring that airborne dust is treated through particle agglomeration without adding moisture to the product. As fine dust particles are generated within the chute, the ultra-fine water droplets collide with and attach to the dust particles, causing them to agglomerate and fall back into the material stream rather than escaping as fugitive emissions.
For effective suppression, the dry fog spray must be generated and contained within a well-designed shrouding around the transfer chute. This enclosure eliminates dissipation due to wind and air movement, ensures sufficient treatment time for agglomeration to occur, and prevents the fog from dispersing before it can act on the dust. The result is highly effective dust control within the transfer point itself, with no over-wetting of material and no impact on downstream processing or belt performance.
Our systems are fully integrated into the conveyor control system, with automated triggering linked to conveyor run signals so that dust suppression operates only when material is being transferred, minimising water consumption and operating costs.
Nozzle Placement Principles
Correct nozzle positioning is essential to system performance. Our engineers design each installation to the specific geometry of the transfer chute, ensuring maximum coverage and effectiveness. The key principles we follow are:
- Nozzle spray pattern should not directly impinge upon any surface or structure
- Nozzles should be mounted to maximise the ability to fill the shrouding with fog
- The fog should avoid direct contact with the material being suppressed
- Nozzles must be protected or shielded to avoid damage from falling material
- Nozzles should be mounted to minimise exposure to a heavy dust-laden air stream, avoiding erosion of nozzle components
- Spray pattern should be generated so that all fugitive dust emissions are forced to pass through the blanket of fog