Method for Suppressing Dust Emissions From Bulk Solids

The present invention relates to methods of suppressing fugitive dust emissions by applying an aqueous foamed solution including a water-soluble cationic polymer to dust producing bulk solids. More particularly, the present invention relates to methods for providing residual or long term fugitive dust control for bulk granular or powdered solids with an aqueous foamed solution including a water-soluble cationic polymer. The aqueous solution may be foamed by incorporation therein of an anionic, amphoteric or cationic foaming agent.

Dust dissemination poses safety, health, and environmental problems in many commercial environments. For instance, in many industries, the transportation handling and storage of bulk solids is common as in industries such as mining, mineral processing, agricultural, power, steel, paper, etc. One major problem associated with bulk solids is dust generation and the control of fugitive dust emissions.

Industrial sources of fugitive dust include open operations, leaks and spills, storage, disposal, transit or poor housekeeping of sundry finely divided solid particulates. The iron and steel industries are replete with examples of the above enumerated categories. Wind erosion of exposed masses of particulate matter such as coal or mine mill tailings, fertilizer, etc., causes both air pollution and economic waste. Detrimental effects on health and cleanliness result where these fine particles are carried aloft by the winds.

A typical method for controlling the dust is to apply a water spray. However, water sprays only control dust for a short period of time depending upon environmental conditions. The application of the spray has to be repeated frequently to provide ongoing dust control. U.S. Pat. No. 3,954,662 discloses aqueous foamable compositions and their use to suppress coal dust. The composition contains water, an interpolymer of a polymerizable vinyl ester and a partial ester compound interpolymerizable with the vinyl ester, and a detergent wetting agent. The interpolymer binds coal dust and keeps the dust particles encapsulated after the foam has collapsed.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,087,572 discloses a combination of an organic polymer latex such as a styrene-butadiene interpolymer and a silicone applied to the surface of a coal pile or other mass of finely divided particulate materials. In addition, a wetting agent may be incorporated to prevent premature coagulation. The combination is applied as an aqueous mixture such as by spraying.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,551,261 discloses the suppression of dust with an aqueous foam comprising a foaming agent and an elastomeric water insoluble polymer. The foam provides immediate dust suppression and eases application. The polymer coats the material and continues to suppress dust generation during handling of the material after the foam has collapsed.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,594,268 discloses the use of at least one methacrylate polymer for dust suppression. The methacrylate polymer provides dust suppression when applied to a wide variety of materials. After application, the polymer provides a tacky, water resistant coating which effectively prevents dusting while additionally acting as an anti-freeze agent.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,801,635 discloses a combination of water soluble anionic acrylic polymers and nonionic glycol polymers and anionic and nonionic surfactants useful for the control of dust emissions into the environment.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,780,233 discloses a method and composition for controlling fugitive dust particles which comprises an oil containing dust control treatment including a small amount of a water insoluble elastomeric polymer. The inclusion of a small amount of elastomer significantly improves the dust control performance. The composition can be applied as a spray or foam.

The present invention relates to improved methods and compositions for controlling fugitive dust emissions from bulk, granular or powdered solids. Fugitive dust emissions are controlled by applying an aqueous, foamed solution including a water-soluble cationic polymer to dust producing bulk, granular or powdered solids. The cationic polymer is incorporated into an aqueous foam comprising anionic, amphoteric or cationic foaming agents. Wetting agents such as nonionic ethoxylated alcohols may also be included for improved wetting of the solid substrate. For materials with a propensity for caking or similar handling problems, anti-caking agents or flow aids may be included such as cationic amines, tallow primary amines, mineral oils, etc.

The dust control methods and compositions of the present invention are particularly effective at controlling fugitive dust dissemination in urea processing and handling. In the treatment of urea for dust control in accordance with the present invention, anti-caking agents or flow aids are particularly desirable due to the tendency of urea to cake. The compositions and methods of the present invention provide effective residual or long term dust control.

The dust control composition of the present invention is an aqueous solution of a water soluble cationic polymer. These materials may be selected from a wide variety of water-soluble cationic polymers. The polymers may be either addition polymers or condensation polymers. Most synthetic cationic polyelectrolytes are polyamine and polyquaternary ammonium salts although non-nitrogen based cationic species are known. Polyamines and polyquaternary amines can be prepared by free-radical chain polymerization, epoxide-addition reactions, condensation polymerization, and reactions on polymer backbones. Polymers of this type are described in Roe, U.S. Pat. No. 4,426,409, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. Polyamines and polyquaternary anions are also discussed at pp 489-507 of The Encyclopedia of Polymer Science and Engineering, Vol. 11, Second Edition, 1988.

The treatment solution is preferably supplied as a concentrate which is diluted prior to application as a foam. The treatment concentration, in percent cationic polymer by weight in the foam, can range from about 0.01 to 10.0% and is preferably from about 0.1 to 1.0%. The feed rate of foam onto the substrate, on a weight % basis, can range from about 0.05 to 5.0% and is preferably from about 0.1 to 1.0%.

The dust control composition of the present invention is applied as a foam. The foam for the dust control treatment may be foamed and applied via conventional techniques such as those disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,400,220 (Cole), the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference. Accordingly, a suitable foaming agent is included.

Cationic and amphoteric foaming agents are preferred. Amphoteric foaming agents such as coco amido sulfobetaines are especially preferred. Such foaming agents are available commercially. For example, EMCOL 6825 available from Witco Chemical Corporation. In general, cationic polymers cannot be foamed with anionic foaming agents. However, the inventor of the present invention discovered that the cationic polymer of diethylenetriamine/adipic acid/epichlorohydrin can be foamed with an anionic foaming agent comprising a blend of the sodium salts of C14-C16 alpha olefin sulfonate and alkyl ether sulfate. Exemplary commercial products are Bioterg AS-40 and Steol KS-460 available from Stepan Chemical Co. It is believed, therefore, that other anionic foaming agents may also be capable of foaming this and other cationic polymers.

The present invention will now be described with respect to a number of specific example which are to be regarded solely as illustrative and not as restricting the scope of the invention.

Laboratory testing was conducted to determine the dust control effects of water-soluble cationic polymer compositions on feed grade urea. The polymers were applied to the urea as aqueous foams with cationic and anionic foaming agents. The effectiveness was tested by measuring the relative dusting index (RDI) and percent dust suppression (% DS). The RDI of treated and untreated control samples was measured in a laboratory dust chamber equipped with an opacity monitor. The opacity monitor generated an opacity curve as a function of time, measured after introduction of the treated samples into the dust chamber. The relative dustiness index was measured as the area under the opacity curve. The percent Dust Suppression was a calculation based on the Relative Dustiness Index for untreated versus treated materials. All samples were aged for 24 hours at 20.degree. C. and 50% relative humidity prior to testing.

Table I summarizes the results of testing showing the large decrease in RDI and relatively high % DS numbers for a variety of water-soluble cationic polymer treatments in accordance with the present invention.

As shown in Table I foamed cationic polymers provide effective dust suppression.

While the present invention has been described with respect to particular examples, it is apparent that numerous other forms and modifications of the invention will be obvious to those skilled in the art. The appended claims and this invention should be construed to cover all such obvious forms and modifications which are within the spirit and scope of the present invention.