Fundamental research in water spray systems for dust control

Mine health and safety is an integral part of every mining operation of which dust control is an important element. The methods for controlling dust emissions can either lie in the prevention of dust emissions or in the removal of dust once it has become airborne. Water spray systems can be used for both methods of dust control. In order to properly evaluate the interaction of droplets, dust and moving airstreams, a wind tunnel was built to simulate underground operations with varying environmental conditions. For each dust source, an evaluation of the conditions and the requirements in dust control must be completed in order to develop the most appropriate dust control system for that individual source.