Suppressing dust using innovative misting systems

Every year, mining operations in Australia release tons of particulate matter into the atmosphere. Mining dust can spread for miles, harming the environment and public health.

Exposure to mine dust can lead to severe health issues that can result in long-term health complications. Additionally, mine dust poses environmental challenges due to increased particulate matter degrading air quality, impacting nearby communities, and disturbing local ecosystems when it settles on plants and water bodies.

Despite the complexity of these issues, the dust suppression systems offered by CoolMist Systems Australia provide an affordable dust suppression solution in areas where extraction is not possible or affordable.

Since 2005, the company has assisted mining operators in protecting workers’ health and safety, while helping mitigate wear on machinery and minimise downtime caused by dust. Their innovative dust control methods not only improve air quality, but maintain proper stewardship over the local environment.

Tailored Dust Suppression Systems

Whether it’s dust control solutions for stockpiles, rom bins, drop points, material conveyor belts, storage bins or other mining activities, CoolMist Systems Australia’s purpose-built misting systems and mist cannons are a proven and effective dust suppression solution.

Mining operations can benefit from the expertise of the company’s technicians, who are available to conduct inspections and recommend the most suitable solutions, especially when standard options may not apply to a client’s specific application. Customised dust suppression systems facilitate the development of personalised projects.

This tailored approach allows bespoke designs to be created to ensure the most effective outcome possible, and assurance that the professional solution will deliver exceptional performance when and where required.

The company’s industrial misting and fogging systems are also utilised in waste transfer and recycling facilities, bulk processing sites, excavation and civil construction sites, as well as building demolition, steel and slag facilities.

CoolMist has consistently developed innovative solutions for controlling dust. Their fogging systems methodology uses fine water mist to prevent dust lift-off and suppress the amount of dust in the air. These mist systems use low volumes of water at high pressure to add fine water droplets to the air, which capture and suppress airborne dust particles.

It’s a well-designed system that considers nozzle selection and spray patterns to target airborne dust as it’s generated at specific points by material transfer or stockpiling. Water droplet sizes are produced to target and match the smaller airborne dust particles that are far more effective at trapping respirable dust particles and preventing the spread of dust plumes.

CoolMist® dust suppression systems are available in modular sizes with pumps and high-pressure distribution lines ready for placement at strategic points along the material handling and process plants throughout the mine operation.

Another effective product in the range is the powerful AJet® mist cannons. Available for fixed or mobile installation, these robust mist cannons are designed to cover wide areas. They can be customised with a high-pressure pump, interchangeable nozzle crown (QRM system), anchorage systems for positioning machines at height, additional water filters, Anemometer (wind station), and electronic dust detection systems.

Standard configurations include either mounted on a fixed base, trolley, fan with a telescopic pole or hydraulic articulated arm to six metres, and a cannon mounted at height with a separate control system at ground level.

Further customisation outside the standard configurations includes mist cannons mounted on flatbed trucks, trucks with roll-off system, or on a purpose-built trailer. Configured with tanks and generators means that they can be employed around the work site in continuous movement and where neither water nor electricity is available.

Implementing dust control with high-pressure mist systems or fog cannons will also result in a longer lifespan of the machinery that is used on-site as dust particles will not invade the moving parts of the machinery. These dust suppression methods ensure that there is no moisture accumulation on the equipment and machinery, and neither on the environment, which means no puddles and therefore no mud.

As a full-service company, CoolMist Systems Australia installs and commissions systems, trains personnel on safe operating procedures, and repairs and maintains different dust suppression systems.

For more information, visit www.coolmist.com.au/