trencher dust control

[tedtirao71]

hey, need some ideas on how to control the dust being produced by our trencher... please check my attached photos... any input will be helpful... thanks guys...

[Randy88]

Mount a water tank on the front of the trencher and run a 12 volt pump and hose and put some spray nozzles where the chain drops the material into the conveyor, won't do much for what comes out of the trench but should help with what comes off the conveyor and top end of the chain. If your close to water just run hoses and put a nozzle on the machine and do it that way, otherwise use a water tanker along side the trencher and keep someone moving the tank. Some dust suppressants will do the same thing but are higher priced and a pain to handle in most cases. Is the dust a problem for the workers or always filling up the air filters or why is the dust a problem?

[tedtirao71]

Thanks for that randy88. Actually, one of the environmental regulation of our client is on dust control... It is more on the health effect to the workers inhaling this micro paticles of dust being produced. The available dust mask cannot manage to filter this dust for the workers. Also, for the General public or as shown in the photo, this excavation is just outside the fence of a residence. Eventually, they will make a complaint regarding this dust issue.

Like what you suggested, I also have considered the water tank, water pump and hose with end nozzles. I know it will work. I agree that if I will recommend a dust suppresant that will be costly, it will be disapproved.

So, if ever I will take your advise, there wont be any mechanical or electrical issues/problems that should be considered as an after effect??

Thanks again.

[d4c24a]

you could run a tanker alongside with one of these , http://dustboss.com/

[surfer-joe]

Use a water truck and a laborer with a hose and nozzle. Plumbing the trencher isn't worth the cost and downtime.

[Randy88]

To kill the dust on a trencher you might have to have several nozzles or guys running hoses to keep it at bay, one fogging the dirt as it hits the conveyor and the other spraying water on the chain and the trench, it will take a lot of water to control the dust but if you have enough workers it shouldn't be a big deal, I too might opt for a water truck along side, that might be your best bet. The fogging nozzles would be a lot better than any direct spay with a hose. I never had enough help to have anyone standing there spraying water, thats why I recommended putting on a tank and mounting nozzles. By the looks of the area I'd guess working in the rain isn't really an option at all. I usually have the exact opposite problem you do, I have too much water and mud to content with, dust is seldom a problem.

If I can ask what are you trenching in? City water or sewer lines, irrigation lines, communication cable, what?

[tedtirao71]

@ d4c24a and surfer joe - thanks for the suggestions.. i will consider those.

@ randy88 - the fogging nozzle is a great idea. That would be better than the hose and spray. And, I think I would really be needing quite a number of workers to get the job done, if I would consider the water tank along side. For putting up a tank and mounting nozzles onto the trencher, I think I would make this as option #2, depending on how the management react and decide on my propositions. Anyways, I am thankful for the great ideas and suggestions. These are very helpful.

Just for info, I am working as an HSE (Health Safety & Environment) engineer for a Construction company here in the Middle East (Qatar). Our projects involves Road construction/development and City water pipeline Installation. My current project is on water pipelines so we are using trencher as applicable to area of excavation. We also have a variety of other heavy equipment being utilized.
@randy88 - like what you said, rain is really not an option here in the middle east (especially in Qatar) coz it only rains here a few days, once a year.

[Randy88]

To control the dust on any trencher it'll take a lot of water no matter how you do it, maybe try something temporary to see just how much water it takes and how much dust is controlled and how much of a mess it makes for everyone involved. The reason I suggested the nozzles mounted on the machine was so nobody needed to get too close to the digging chain while it was running and also so you could spray water where the dirt was dumped onto the conveyor and caused a lot of dust or some trenchers use augers to move the dirt away and just offset the hose to the side of the machine and drag it along behind you as you go. Best of luck and let us know if any of the suggestions work and also how well they work.

[Charly]

Hello,
I know I am late to advise you on anything but i have only joined this group
I am based in Doha and have a mobile water sprayer with an engine to power the machine
You can come and visit the machine any time in Ain Khalid or call me 66730727
Your trencher looks like one I seen today in the Industrial Area

[heavylift]

I think 4 on the boom, the cleaning shoe mount, 2 facing in and 2 facing to the end of the trencher wheel. then a couple on the belt. one spraying into the machine. one spraying the pile as it is discharged.

http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/MOO..._vc=IDPRRTEST2

these are 1 1/2" but they do make a 3/4" one also. cheap and do a good job on dust as the adjust to a fog pattern.

Most all of our water trucks have these mounted on a hose reel.

The fogging machine would not work so good in a residential area. "My windows are dirty and my house is muddy"

[TESMEC Middle E]

Hi, Fixing a dust control water tank on the trencher should be done as per the manufacturer recommendation, wrong installation or design would cause excessive vibration which will lead to future cracks (it happened before)

You can contact us for the correct installation drawings for TESMEC trenchers, we can carry the job for you too

Alternatively, we are the agent for EMI dust control equipments, if you need a portable dust control machine which will work for more than one machine at the same time

Regards,

Rabie Kamel
General Manager
Tesmec Middle East
rabie@tesmec-me.com
+97133082882