Pneudrive Challenge 2013

Winner: Best Use of Autodesk Design Technology

University of Witwatersrand

Dust Emission

Team: Suhail Akoojee, Zahraa Goolam-Hussain, Riaaz Mangera, Taahirah Mangera

This report details three solution concepts which aim to promote “Greener Mining” by addressing dust emissions occurring in conveying rooms. The device is required to reduce the dust concentration of an average conveying room from 500 mg/m 3 to 50 mg/m3 as outlined by the National Air Quality Act, 2004. [1] The solutions considered a Dust Bag Filtration System, a Sprinkling Settling Chamber System, and, a Water Suction Air

Filtration System

A critical analysis of the solution concepts in terms of the Product Requirement Specification revealed the Water Suction Air Filtration System as most likely to meet to the problem criterion. The device is remotely controlled and requires no man power for operation. The use of water filtration medium helps reduce costs of filter replacements. By capturing the dust within water, through de-watering or other processes, the water and valuable forms of dust such as coal dust can be recycled. Completion of the system subcomponent analyses allowed specifications of the subcomponents to be made. Finally, these specifications were critically analysed in order to indicate areas which may impact the design and further possible improvements to the solution. Full design specifications can be

found in the Design Proposal and Breakdown. A scaled model prototype was developed in order to examine the viability of the fundamental concept

of the system. Results found using a Particle Image Velocimetry system revealed the concept to be capable of fulfilling its aim of capturing stray dust.