DustTamer™ Wind Fence and Wind Screen Systems are used for a variety of applications. Most often, these systems are used to lower wind velocities downwind of a screen’s location. Reducing wind speeds reduces the amount of airborne particulate that accumulates from material handling operations such as stockpiles, stack-out conveyors, truck, rail or loader dump pockets, conveyor lines and load out silos.
DustTamer™ is often used in conjunction with DSI Dry Fog systems to facilitate the agglomeration and settling of dust. This is done by controlling and containing the dust/fog mixture at a fog application point.
Other uses include protecting Solar Power arrays from wind and dust. Less wind can result in a lower need for structural steel, longer operating times during high winds, and more efficient solar collection.
Another use is controlling air movement of Air Cooled Condenser units. Air movement control is beneficial for areas where air movement can cause uneven wear on gearboxes, lessen fan stalls, and impact hot air recirculation. Ultimately, controlling air movement will enhance performance.
DustTamer™ can also control the dust off of Mine Tailing’s Ponds. Both permanent fences and portable screens can be used to decrease particle take-up.
For the above listed applications, DustTamer™ works better than a solid structure. This is a result of the fabric’s specially designed porosity. Approximately 30-50% (depending on fabric model #) of the ambient air will seep through the fabric, ultimately helping to equalize the differential pressure from one side of the fabric to the other. At a dump pocket, this equalization of air pressure prevents “outside air” from circulating and picking up dust from inside the pocket or hopper.
Solid, non-porous “dust covers” or “wind walls” can actually worsen the problem by creating a low pressure zone at the dust source. Air will move from a high to low pressure area, increasing velocities and airborne particulate.
DSI supplies DustTamer™ System materials that can assist in the evaluation of your dust issues. If you need help collecting wind data, we can connect you to the appropriate engineering firms that will either survey your dust issues or supply instruments for data collection. These engineering firms can supply certified drawings and CFD modeling.
About DustTamer™ Windscreen Systems
Do you have a wind generated fugitive dust problem or excessive total suspended particulate (TSP) levels in non-attainment areas?
DustTamer™ Windscreen Systems are designed to drastically reduce wind velocity and particle movement, thus minimizing fugitive dust emissions with consistent reliable results. Unlike other dust control technologies, DustTamer™ Windscreens do not require being powered or renewed. Nor do they require daily labor. Over time, the screen system will offer a return on investment.
More than 30 years after its first installation in Europe, and more than 25 years of being used in the United States, the knitted polyester DustTamer™ Windscreen has earned an excellent reputation. The system’s fabric and installation hardware have proven durable under the most severe weather conditions, substantiating scientists’ predictions of excellent performance.
DustTamer™ Windscreens have been installed throughout Europe, Australia, Taiwan, and South America. Closer to home, DustTamer™ has been installed on various applications such as storage piles, haul roads, stacking and re-claim areas, load out areas (train, truck and front end loaders), bulk handling systems (conveyor transfer points, as an example), sand blasting and spray painting areas, amongst many other applications. Engineers who pioneered the use of fabric screens report no field failures attributed to weathering. The system’s fabric and hardware have persevered through hurricanes and blizzards, as well as severe temperatures, both hot and cold.
How It Works
The windscreen exerts a drag force on oncoming wind velocities. This allows a portion of the wind volume to penetrate through the screen as well as deflect the remainder of the wind to the surrounding sheltered area. Subsequently, the velocity lowers to the point required to initiate particle movement. Air passing through the screen is referred to as “displacement flow”. Both are determined by the permeability of the screen.
Performance is backed by laboratory and field tests
In a study conducted by the by the Department of Textile Sciences at Southern Massachusetts University and North Carolina State University at Raleigh, the fabric windscreen’s record of excellent field performance and longevity was projected using an objective laboratory evaluation of screen samples. The researchers tested samples that had weathered one year in Massachusetts and compared the results with indoor test samples. The fabrics were tested for tensile strength, elongation and color fastness against artificial, sunlight and exhaust fumes. Below lists the 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 screening was unaffected by gasoline combustion products
- Tensile strength test (FTMS #191, 5100-1968) measured 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 appraisal of polyester fabric’s performance under real world conditions, the Textile Science Department researchers noted other properties. The polyester screen has strong resistance to ultra-violet rays, sagging, wrinkles, mildew, rot, insects, acids, alkalies, and salts.
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To contact MARC Technologies Pty Ltd about Dust Solutions DustTamer Wind Fences use Get a quote.
