DUST CONTROL IN THE MINERAL TRANSPORTATION INDUSTRY

Abstract

 Dust control during open pit mining operations presents significant challenges in both summer and winter. However, colder temperatures impose additional requirements for dust suppressants. This study proposes preventive compositions utilizing light and heavy gas oils derived from catalytic cracking and delayed coking as base components. Incorporating heavy fractions increases the flash point, enhancing the safety of dust suppressants, while also improving adhesion properties through higher levels of polyaromatic hydrocarbons and reducing overall product costs. To further enhance the low-temperature and adsorption characteristics of the developed dust suppressants, varying concentrations (2-10 wt.%) of heavy oil residues (such as cracking residue and tar) are added. Additionally, alternative dust suppressants are created through the water emulsification of vinylated alkyd oligomer, with an examination of its ability to form robust films on dusty surfaces. The study demonstrates the effectiveness of an aqueous solution of vinylated alkyd oligomer as a summer dust suppressant. The findings include the development of new preventive compositions with improved low-temperature properties, validated by performance tests conducted in a laboratory setting.