AU2014204475B2

AU2014204475B2 - A composition and a method of use thereof for dust suppression of a surface

Info

Publication number: AU2014204475B2
Application number: AU2014204475A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Simon John Turnbull
Original assignee: Env Dust Solutions
Current assignee: ENVIRONMENTAL DUST SOLUTIONS
Priority date: 2013-07-17
Filing date: 2014-07-17
Publication date: 2018-07-19
Anticipated expiration: 2034-07-17
Also published as: AU2014204475A1

Abstract

A COMPOSITION AND A METHOD OF USE THEREOF FOR DUST SUPPRESSION OF A SURFACE Abstract This disclosure relates to a method (100) for dust suppression for a surface, the method (100) comprising a treatment comprising the application of vegetable oil to the surface. SStart Pre-treatment Gradin Levelling 115 120 125 Treatement apl 1 L/m2 -0 Vegetable Oil Rerrict Post-treatement Il-Compaction Figure 1

Description

A COMPOSITION AND A METHOD OF USE THEREOF FOR DUST SUPPRESSION OF A SURFACE

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to the suppression technique and in particuiar to a composition and a method of use thereof for dust suppression of a surface.

The invention has been developed primarily for use on road surfaces and will be described hereinafter with reference to this application. However, it will be appreciated that the invention is not limited to this particular field of use.

Background

Dust generated from particulates surfaces such as gravel roads, worksites, grain silos storages, mines, gas lines and the like poses environmental and occupational health and safety risks.

Existing methods for the suppression of such dust include the application of a treatment on such particulate services to attempts to reduce the generated from such particulate surfaces.

One such method comprises the application of water. However, given the rapid evaporation of water, such a method requires repeated application, such as every few hours, thereby being an expensive method for dust suppression.

Other methods comprise the application of chloride salts and petroleum-based suppressants. However, such suppressants corrosive, flammable, volatile and polluting.

The present invention seeks to provide a composition and a method of use thereof for the dust suppression of a surface, which will overcome or substantially ameliorate at least some of the deficiencies of the prior art, or to at least provide an alternative.

It is to be understood that, if any prior art information is referred to herein, such reference does not constitute an admission that the information forms part of the common general knowledge in the art, in Australia or any other country.

Summary

According to one aspect, there is provided a method for dust suppression for a surface, the method comprising a treatment comprising the application of vegetable oil to the surface.

Preferably, the vegetable oil is applied to an exposed surface of the surface.

Preferably, the method further comprises returning graded away materia! to the surface.

Preferably, the method further comprises compacting the surface.

Preferably, the method further comprises applying further vegetable oil to the surface.

Preferably, the method further comprises applying a dosage of approximately greater than 0.5 l/m2.

Preferably, the method further comprises applying a dosage of approximately greater than 1 l/m2.

Preferably, the method further comprises applying a dosage of approximately greater than 1.5 l/m2.

Preferably, the method further comprises restricting traffic on the surface for a predetermined period.

Preferably, the predetermined period is selected in accordance with a dosage. Preferably, the predetermined period is selected in accordance with traffic volumes. Preferably, the method further comprises reapplication of vegetable oil after a substantially 6 month period.

Preferably, the method further comprises reapplication of vegetable oil after a substantially 12 month period.

Preferably, the method further comprises reapplication of vegetable oil after a substantially 15 month period.

Preferably, the method further comprises pretreatment of the surface.

Preferably, the pretreatment comprises grading.

Preferably, grading comprises grading a portion of the surface into a windrow.

Preferably, the pretreatment comprises levelling.

Preferably, levelling further comprises grading a windrow onto the surface.

Preferably, grading comprises grading approximately greater than 1 cm of the surface.

Preferably, grading comprises grading approximately greater than 2 cm of the surface.

Preferably, the method further comprises post treatment of the surface.

Preferably, the post-treatment comprises compaction.

According to another aspect, there is provided a composition for the dust suppression of a surface, the composition comprising vegetable oil.

Preferably, the surface is a road surface.

According to another aspect, a composition for the dust suppression of a surface is provided, the composition comprising vegetable oil.

According to another aspect, a composition for the dust suppression of a road surface is provided, the composition comprising vegetable oil.

Other aspects of the invention are also disclosed.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Notwithstanding any other forms which may fall within the scope of the present invention, a preferred embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. 1 shows a method for dust suppression of a road surface in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

Description of Embodiments

It should be noted in the following description that like or the same reference numerals in different embodiments denote the same or similar features.

Referring to figure 1, there is shown a method 100 for dust suppression of a road surface. The suppression of dust on road surfaces will be described herein as the preferred embodiment. However, it should be appreciated that other particulate surfaces may be treated in accordance with method 100, such as those relating to worksites, grain silos storage, mining and gas operations, housing developments and the like.

Method 100 comprises the application of vegetable oil to a road surface providing dust reduction benefits for 12 months. The application of vegetable oil provide advantages in binding surface fines together, increasing particle mass and cohesion, increasing surface tension and repelling water allowing the road surface to drain more efficiently.

The method 100 further provides advantages in providing an environmentally friendly alternative to existing dust suppressant compositions comprising chloride salts and petroleum-based suppressants. Furthermore, vegetable oil is widely available, and as a renewable source.

Furthermore, the use of vegetable oil is safe to use including in being noncorrosive, nonflammable, nonvolatile and non-polluting.

The utilisation of method 100 negates the need for frequent reapplication of dust suppressant such as where water is used as a dust suppressant according to conventional methods.

It should be noted that vegetable oil is described herein in accordance with a preferred embodiment. However, it should be noted that other dust suppressants having the advantages provided by vegetable oil may be utilised also. Specifically, other triglycerides (including animal fats) may be employed so as to provide the environmentally friendly advantages afforded by the use of vegetable oil.

In a preferred embodiment, the vegetable oil comprises canola oil and especially crude canola oil. An advantage afforded by canola oil relate to the wide availability of the canola oil, wherein, at least in Australia, canola oil is grown in the southern states of Australia including Western Australia, being obtainable from crushing mills located within these areas. A further advantage provided by canola oil relates to if being relatively inexpensive especially when compared to non-vegetable dust suppressants, water carts and the like. A further advantage provided by canola oil relates to the adhesive qualities of canola oil wherein canola oil, especially crude canola oil, comprises glycerine / gum which acts as a natural adhesive so as to be especially suited for binding of dust particles. The method 100 comprises three main steps, including a pre-treatment step 105, a treatment step 120, and a post-treatment step 140. It should be noted that the pretreatmenf step 105 and the posted treatment step 140 are optional steps of method 100.

However, where pretreatment 105 is employed, the pretreatment step 105 is utilised for ensuring the road surface is in a good overall condition prior to the application of the vegetable oil. The pretreatment step 105 may further ensure that the road has good crown and shoulder drainage so as to prevent floating of the finer particles of the road surface. Furthermore, the pretreatment step 105 provides a firm road surface for the application of the vegetable oil having proper particulates size including small size grave! and sufficient fines. Such a provision of a firm road surface generally prevents ravelling, which may be caused by a deficiency of fine material, poor particle size distribution and inadequate compaction. Furthermore, the pretreatment step 105 may comprise grading out or filling of potholes, washouts and soft spots.

Specifically, the pretreatment step 105 may comprise a grading step 110 where the road surface is graded. Typically, a grading blade is set to grade approximately 2 cm of the road surface into a windrow on one side of the road. The windrow comprises a mix of gravel and fines. Then, the pretreatment step 105 may comprise 11 in step 115 wherein the windrow is bladed back onto the road surface in an even manner so as to create a smooth surface (preferably 2 cm in thickness) for the absorption of the vegetable oil.

The method 100 then proceeds to the treatment step 120. The treatement step 120 comprises the application of vegetable oil step 125. As alluded to above, the use of vegetable oil as opposed to other compositions provide advantages including enhanced surface binding, water repulsion, non-corrosion, nonflammable, nonvolatile, non-polluting, widely available, renewable, and longer dust suppression protection periods (typically 12 months).

Generally, the vegetable oil is applied non-diluted. However, in other embodiments, the vegetable oil may be diluted. In a preferred embodiment, the vegetable oil is applied by way of a standard watering truck or other similar apparatus.

Yet further, the vegetable oil is applied in accordance with a dosage. Generally, for normal traffic conditions, the vegetable oil is applied at a recommended dosage of 1 L/m2. However, for road surfaces experiencing higher traffic densities, a higher dosage may be applied, such as 1.5L/m2. Further preferably, rather than the selected application of the vegetable oil on a particular portion of the road surface, in a preferred embodiment, the vegetable oil is applied "grass to grass", that is across the entire surface of the road surface. Generally, the watering truck comprises a suitably wide boom so as to reach across the road surface. Alternatively, where the boom is not sufficiently wide enough, the truck may make repeat transitions to cover the entire of the road surface.

Preferably, after the application of the vegetable oil, the road surface is allowed to "cure". In this regard, traffic is normally restricted for a predetermined period so as to allow the vegetable oil to soak sufficiently info the road surface and binding the particles together.

After the "curing" of the treated road surface, normal traffic may resume. However, graders should not be used for treating sections of the like as such would remove the protective dust suppressant barrier provided by the application of the vegetable oil. However, if grading is required, it is recommended that grading be only undertaken to a minimum ievei, preferably less than the depth of the penetration of the vegetable oil. Furthermore, post such grading, there may be the further application of vegetable oil, typically at a dosage of 0.51 L/m2.

As alluded to above, in one embodiment, the road surface is graded into a windrow, whereafter the windrow is graded back across the road surface for the application of the vegetable oil. However, an alternative application methodology may comprise grading the road surface into a windrow, whereafter the exposed road surface is treated with a vegetable oil dosage of 0.75L/m2. Thereafter, the windrow is graded back across the treated road surface. Thereafter, a further dosage of an additional 0.75L/m2 is applied to the road surface, thereby providing a layered treated road surface. After this, or at the intermediate stage, the road surface may be compacted in the manner described above.

The method 100 further comprises a post treatment step 140 comprising a compaction step 145 wherein the road surface is compact and after the application of the vegetable oil, such as by using mechanical rollers or the like. Generally, if it is ascertained that the road surface adheres to the rollers, more time may be required for the vegetable oil to soak into the road surface prior to the compaction step 145.

As is apparent from the method 100, there is repeated the treatment step 120 at periodic intervals. Generally, the treatment step 120 needs to be performed every 12 months. Of course, this predetermined period may vary depending on the traffic load and dosage of vegetable oil.

Interpretation

Embodiments:

Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” means that a particular feature, structure or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, appearances of the phrases “in one embodiment” or “in an embodiment” in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment, but may. Furthermore, the particular features, structures or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner, as would be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art from this disclosure, in one or more embodiments. Similarly it should be appreciated that in the above description of example embodiments of the invention, various features of the invention are sometimes grouped together in a single embodiment, figure, or description thereof for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure and aiding in the understanding of one or more of the various inventive aspects. This method of disclosure, however, is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed invention requires more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive aspects lie in less than all features of a single foregoing disclosed embodiment. Thus, the claims following the Detailed Description of Specific Embodiments are hereby expressly incorporated into this Detailed Description of Specific Embodiments, with each claim standing on its own as a separate embodiment of this invention.

Furthermore, while some embodiments described herein include some but not other features included in other embodiments, combinations of features of different embodiments are meant to be within the scope of the invention, and form different embodiments, as would be understood by those in the art. For example, in the following claims, any of the claimed embodiments can be used in any combination.

Different instances of Objects

As used herein, unless otherwise specified the use of the ordinal adjectives “first”, “second”, “third”, etc., to describe a common object, merely indicate that different instances of like objects are being referred to, and are not intended to imply that the objects so described must be in a given sequence, either temporally, spatially, in ranking, or in any other manner.

Specific Details in the description provided herein, numerous specific details are set forth. However, it is understood that embodiments of the invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, structures and techniques have not been shown in detail in order not to obscure an understanding of this description.

Terminology

In describing the preferred embodiment of the invention illustrated in the drawings, specific terminology will be resorted to for the sake of clarity. However, the invention is not intended to be limited to the specific terms so selected, and it is to be understood that each specific term includes all technical equivalents which operate in a similar manner to accomplish a similar technical purpose. Terms such as "forward", "rearward", "radially", “peripherally", "upwardly", "downwardly", and the like are used as words of convenience to provide reference points and are not to be construed as limiting terms.

Comprising and Including

In the claims which follow and in the preceding description of the invention, except where the context requires otherwise due to express language or necessary implication, the word "comprise” or variations such as “comprises” or “comprising” are used in an inclusive sense, i.e. to specify the presence of the stated features but not to preclude the presence or addition of further features in various embodiments of the invention.

Any one of the terms: including or which includes or that includes as used herein is also an open term that also means including at least the elements/features that follow the term, but not excluding others. Thus, including is synonymous with and means comprising.

Scope of invention

Thus, while there has been described what are believed to be the preferred embodiments of the invention, those skilled in the art will recognize that other and further modifications may be made thereto without departing from the spirit of the invention, and it is intended to claim all such changes and modifications as fall within the scope of the invention. For example, any formulas given above are merely representative of procedures that may be used. Functionality may be added or deleted from the block diagrams and operations may be interchanged among functional blocks. Steps may be added or deleted to methods described within the scope of the present invention.

Although the invention has been described with reference to specific examples, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the invention may be embodied in many other forms.

Industrial Applicability

It is apparent from the above, that the arrangements described are applicable to the road and construction industries.

Claims

Claims

1. A method for dust suppression for a particulate surface composed of particulate matter, the method comprising the steps of: a) grading away a top portion of the surface to expose an exposed surface; b) application of vegetable oil to the exposed surface; c) applying a layer of the particulate matter to the exposed surface; and d) compacting the layer of the particulate matter on the exposed surface to form a compacted surface.
2. A method as claimed in claim 1, further comprising applying further vegetable oil to the compacted surface.
3. A method as claimed in claim 1, further comprising applying the vegetable oil to the exposed surface at a dosage of approximately greater than 0.5 L/m2.
4. A method as claimed in claim 1, further comprising applying the vegetable oil to the exposed surface at a dosage of approximately greater than 1 L/m2.
5. A method as claimed in claim 1, further comprising applying the vegetable oil to the exposed surface at a dosage of approximately greater than 1.5 L/m2.
6. A method as claimed in claim 1, further comprising restricting traffic on the surface for a predetermined period.
7. A method as claimed in claim 6, wherein the predetermined period is selected in accordance with a dosage.
8. A method as claimed in claim 6, wherein the predetermined period is selected in accordance with traffic volumes.
9. A method as claimed in claim 1, further comprising reapplication of vegetable oil after a substantially 6 month period.
10. A method as claimed in claim 1, further comprising reapplication of vegetable oil after a substantially 12 month period.
11. A method as claimed in claim 1, further comprising reapplication of vegetable oil after a substantially 15 month period.
12. A method as claimed in claim 1, further comprising pretreatment of the surface.
13. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein grading comprises grading a portion of the surface into a windrow.
14. A method as claimed in claim 12, wherein the pretreatment comprises levelling.
15. A method as claimed in claim 14, wherein the levelling further comprises grading a windrow onto the surface.
16. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the grading comprises grading approximately greater than 1 cm of the surface.
17. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the grading comprises grading approximately greater than 2 cm of the surface.
18. A method as claimed in claim 1, further comprising post-treatment of the surface.
19. A method as claimed in claim 18, wherein the post-treatment comprises compaction.
20. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the surface is a road surface.