The Development of a Pneumatic Hydro-Spraying System to Reduce Dust Load on Potash Mine Workers

Various hazardous and harmful factors have an impact on personnel of potash mines during mining operations of mineral extraction, including highly dispersive dust, intensive noise, general vibration, insufficient illumination, and microclimate, that depending on their intensity and duration of impact cause the decrease of operability and the development of general and occupational illnesses. The study is dedicated to the problem of dust control during the development of potash fields. Potash mines that are a key part of the production of mineral fertilizers encounter a serious environmental and production challenge, which is the increase in dust formation. The dust generated during the production, transportation, and refinement of potash salts is a threat to the health of employees, the stability of workflows, and the environment. The increased dust content in the air of workplaces significantly exceeds the hygienic standards and varies within wide ranges. The highest indices of dust average concentrations per shift are registered at workplaces of drillers, tunnellers, and cutter-loader operators. To ensure permissible working conditions, a comprehensive solution for dust control is required at all stages of mineral production, including technical solutions (a correct choice of ventilation schemes in underground excavations, the use of efficient aspiration and ventilation systems, effective control over dust emission into the atmosphere, such as dust capture and humidification using wetting-binding additives), organizational measures providing both the automated dust concentration monitoring and the automation of dust control intrumentss, control over the compulsory use of efficient personal protective equipment for respiratory organs and skin. To reduce dust content and the average concentrations of potash aerosol at workplaces of miners of the main occupations during mining operations of mineral preparation and extraction, as well as to reduce the risk of professional illnesses, the authors of the study have proposed a new method of dust suppression during mining operations in potash mines. A technical solution has been proposed, and the results of industrial tests of the pneumatic hydro-spraying system in locations of potash dust intensive emission using a concentrated water solution of potassium salt as a working fluid have been provided. In order to increase the efficiency of fluid spraying, an improved nozzle design ensuring equal distribution of fluid drops in the flare and the dispersion reduction has been developed and tested.