Design, Implementation, and Evaluation of Industrial Ventilation Systems and Filtration for Silica Dust Emissions from a Mineral Processing Company

OBJECTIVE: Silicosis as an incurable occupational disease is common in industries and processes that contain silica dust. Since engineering controls can reduce the risk of silicosis, the goal of this study was to design, implement and evaluate industrial ventilation systems and filtration for silica dust, which is emitted from hydrocone crusher and screener units in a mineral processing company. METHODS: In this project, local exhaust ventilation (LEV) system was designed and installed using the standard and valid guidelines. The dust concentration was measured in two stages before and after installation of the ventilation system in the workplace, silica emission sources and also in the workers' inhalation area. Finally, the efficiency of the system was determined. RESULTS: The efficiency of LEV system in reducing workplace dust concentration and dust emission sources was 79.8% and 84.92% respectively. Furthermore, the efficiency of system in reducing the Respirable Crystalline Silica (RCS) at the worker's inhalation area was 92.13%. The collection efficiency of filtration system for total particles was 99.67 %. CONCLUSION: The results indicate that with designation and installation of the local exhaust ventilation (LEV) system and also installation of bag filter to collect dust, the concentration of dust in the workplace and in the inhalation area of workers has decreased significantly. As a result, this system can be used to control dust in similar industries.