Atmospheric particulate emissions from dry abrasive blasting using coal slag.
Coal slag is one of the widely used abrasives in dry abrasive blasting. Atmospheric emissions from this process include particulate matter (PM) and heavy metals, such as chromium, lead, manganese, nickel. Quantities and characteristics of PM emissions depend on abrasive characteristics and process parameters. Emission factors are key inputs to estimate emissions. Experiments were conducted to study the effect of blast pressure, abrasive feed rate, and initial surface contamination on total PM (TPM) emission factors for coal slag. Rusted and painted mild steel surfaces were used as base plates. Blasting was carried out in an enclosed chamber, and PM was collected from an exhaust duct using U.S. Environment Protection Agency source sampling methods for stationary sources. Results showed that there is significant effect of blast pressure, feed rate, and surface contamination on TPM emissions. Mathematical equations were developed to estimate emission factors in terms of mass of emissions per unit mass of abrasive used, as well as mass of emissions per unit of surface area cleaned. These equations will help industries in estimating PM emissions based on blast pressure and abrasive feed rate. In addition, emissions can be reduced by choosing optimum operating conditions.
Kura
Bhaskar
B
Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of New Orleans, New Orleans, LA 70148, USA. bkura@uno.edu
Kambham
Kalpalatha
K
Sangameswaran
Sivaramakrishnan
S
Potana
Sandhya
S
D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational / Q000032:analysis*; D000399:Air Pressure; D000465:Algorithms; D003031:Coal / Q000032:analysis*; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D014866:Waste Products / Q000032:analysis*
D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational; D003031:Coal; D014866:Waste Products