Modelling barriers for coal dust suppression

Abstract

Airborne dust originating from the transport and storage of raw coal has detrimental effects on the environment. Warkworth Mining is seeking to reduce the dust emissions caused by the dumping of raw coal at their facility in Singleton, NSW. The suggested strategy was the construction of windbreaks, for which commercial designs exist. The MISG was asked to advise on the placement and design of such windbreaks.

The problem was approached by studying results in the literature on windbreak design, selecting a few possible configurations, and then testing these by solving numerically for the wind velocity around the dumping site. It was concluded that a long fence on the upwind side of the dumping hoppers would provide moderate protection, but would interfere with current operating procedures. As a better option, a long downwind fence immediately behind the hoppers would provide a similar reduction in the dust emission, and allow more effective use of water sprays. Although fine details of the fence design could not be modelled numerically, we concluded that it was desirable for the fence to have an angled overhang in the vicinity of the hoppers, and a porous section near the base to reduce turbulent flows.