6.11.2017
DustTamer™ is often used in connection with Dry Fog™ systems.
A wind fence, also known as a wind retarder, turns wind into a gentle breeze and creates space, e.g. around the loading of bulk materials into cars and wagons where Dry Fog™ is applied. Within such a space, dust particles, when rising, connect with micro-particles of dry fog and drop back into the material on the loading surface. DustTamer ™ also protects against sunlight.
Use of windscreens
Wind carries a tremendous amount of dust particles that can cause considerable damage. Reducing airflow speeds can positively contribute to improving conditions in areas where air velocity can affect system functionality, quality or environmental impact.
- Protection against erosion caused by wind activity
- Barriers around landfills and debris sites
- Snow barriers
- Elimination of wind gusts on roads and railways (bridges, tunnel exits, natural obstacles – hills, valleys, forested areas, etc.)
- Dividing fences on expressways and motorways (prevents glare from oncoming cars)
Examples where DustTamer™ is used
DustTamer™ has been installed throughout Europe, Australia, Asia, Africa, and North and South America. The system has been applied successfully as protection against dustiness on storage sites or piles, dusty roads, loading-unloading areas, railcar dumpers, truck and various wheel and conveyer loaders.
It is further used everywhere where it is necessary to prevent dust escape from large open areas with a high development of flying dust, such as. e.g. transport of bulk materials on a long-distance conveyer belt, sand blasting and spray painting. What are other uses?
- The wind carrying fine dust particles causes an increased amount of dust sedimenting on solar panels, which covers their active area.
- Due to the dust in the air, the air conditioning and filter units loading is also increased.
- Decreasing the wind speed, e.g. on access roads and unpaved roads of surface mines, quarries and industrial agglomerations, also affects positively the sliding and rolling parts of the machines used (gears, bearings, turbines, blowers, fans, etc.).
- Reducing the impact of hot air during recirculation.
Windscreens can also contribute significantly to dust suppression in mine pits, lagoons, open mines, landfills, etc. Windscreens work quite differently than normal solid wall and fence structures, this all thanks to a special fabric with controlled permeability.
References from the space view
Our DustTamerTM applications (wind screens) are visible also from satellites.
- Coordinates 39.921869, -87.428600 (Duke Energy, Indiana)
- Coordinates 39.139915, -89.467439 (Hillsboro power plant)
Windscreens will turn wind into breeze
The windscreen reduces the wind velocity penetrating through the fabric by 50 or 70% (depending on the fabric model). It helps to equalize the differential pressure from one side of the fabric to the other. On the windward side, it allows the air to flow into the landfill. This air pressure equalization prevents the accumulated wind energy causing the “outside wind to overflow” across the edge of a fixed wall into the landfill space and thereby create turbulence which then rises dust particles from the bulk material of the landfill or hopper.
Why is this solution popular?
The woven polyester DustTamer ™ screens have gained an excellent reputation and the oldest applications have been in use for over 30 years. Systems of construction of these wind screens on load-bearing structures have proven to be resistant to the most demanding weather conditions and excellent efficiency.
- No energy requirements for operation or maintenance
- No requirements for a regular check.
- Their application offers a fast return on investment.
- Wind (over 160 km / h), UV rays, rain, ice and snow resistance
- Self-cleaning ability due to wind (no windscreen maintenance or cleaning required)
How does it work?
Dust Tamer™ reduces wind velocity by letting the wind that hits the permeable screen pass through it, thus reducing its velocity below the level on which it could cause the dust particles to rise above the landfill surface. We will design permeability of the screen for specific conditions.
Performance is backed by laboratory and field tests
In a study conducted by the Department of Textile Science at Southern Massachusetts University and North Carolina State University at Raleigh, the Dust Tamer™ windscreen recorded excellent results for outdoor use. Its longevity was checked using an objective laboratory evaluation of samples. The researchers tested samples that had weathered one year in Massachusetts, and compared the results with indoor tests samples. The fabrics were tested for tensile strength, elongation and colour fastness and resistance to artificial light and sunlight and exhaust fumes.
Testing results
- Fade-o-meter test (FTMS # 191, 5560) proved polyester´s excellent fastness to light.
- Gas-o-meter test (AATCC Method 23-1973) indicated that filament as unaffected by gasoline combustion products.
- Tensile strength test (FTMS # 191, 5100 do 1968) measures the fabric´s strength loss after one year, indicating <10% of loss in strength.
- Elongation tests performed on an Instron Tester indicated a small loss of strength after one year of exposure.
In making a final evaluation of the polyester fabric´s properties in real conditions, the Textile Science Department researchers noted other properties. The polyester screen has strong resistance to ultra-violet rays, sagging, wrinkles, mildew, rot, insect, acids, alkalis, and salts.