RI 8808 Use of Foam for Dust Control in Minerals Processing

The Bureau of Mines conducted a series of tests to evaluate the effectiveness of mixing a compressed-air-generated foam with dried whole-grain silica sand to suppress dust in minerals processing plants. Dust at downstream transfer points was monitored with personal gravimetric samplers and with Real-Time Aerosol Monitors (RAM's) that were connected to strip' chart recorders. Results showed dust reductions of 80 to 90 pct on three separate occasions at two different plants. The mechanism by which foam suppresses dust is discussed, as are the constraints on the use of foam, which may include incompatibility of the foam with the mineral product, difficulty in controlling the foam generator, and cost.