Measuring and managing dust and nanoparticulates in pyrometallurgical processing
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
5-1-2008
Department
Department of Chemical Engineering
Abstract
Combustion processes, comminution and materials handling can generate airborne particulates. Regulation of these particulates by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA) is becoming progressively more stringent, and regulations will soon include "nanoparticulates," which are particles finer than 100 nanometers (0.1 μ). Nanoparticulates are believed to have significant negative health effects due to their high surface area and reactivity. Although it was argued that nanoparticulate concerns were only important for combustion, studies at Michigan Technological University have shown that materials handling and comminution release significant quantities of nanoparticles into the air. Laboratory studies have shown that the use of sodium metasilicate reduced airborne particles finer than 10 μm (PM10) by 86% and particles finer than 2.5 μm (PM2.5) by 80% for iron ore. Additional studies were conducted that revealed that nanoparticulate emissions were present in the types of operations conducted at pyrometallurgical facilities.
Publication Title
Minerals and Metallurgical Processing
Recommended Citation
Copeland, C.,
Eisele, T. C.,
&
Kawatra, S.
(2008).
Measuring and managing dust and nanoparticulates in pyrometallurgical processing.
Minerals and Metallurgical Processing,
25(2), 68-72.
http://doi.org/10.1007/bf03403388
Retrieved from: https://digitalcommons.mtu.edu/michigantech-p/4612