Using suppressants to control dust emissions — Part II
"If you don't want it to dust, keep it wet." Years ago, this idea led to the practice of spraying bulk material with water or oil to control dust emissions during handling and processing. Today, chemical dust suppressants are being used in addition to these traditional sprays, particularly in applications where materials are sensitive to moisture or contamination.
Part I of this article [February 1989] provided background information on both water and oil sprays and reviewed three types of chemical dust suppressants — surfactants, foams, and encrusting agents. Part II presents guidelines for selecting and testing dust suppressants.