Re: Visual Dust Load Estimation

Posted on 16. Mar. 2017 - 12:45

for example I have heard that if you can see the cloud of dust from stack, outlet dust load should be more than 100mg/m3. is it true?

Is there any documented rules? is there any rule of thumb to relate dust load(mg/m3) to visual investigation?

Start At The Bottom.

Posted on 18. Mar. 2017 - 03:48

Foundations, by Martin Engineering, gives very comprehensive treatment of dust level issues.

John Gateley johngateley@hotmail.com www.the-credible-bulk.com

Re: Visual Dust Load Estimation

Posted on 18. Mar. 2017 - 05:26
Quote Originally Posted by johngateleyView Post
Foundations, by Martin Engineering, gives very comprehensive treatment of dust level issues.

I am the translator of Martin Foundations to Persian

Roland Heilmann
(not verified)

Dust - To What Avail

Posted on 21. Mar. 2017 - 07:42

Sobh bakheyr, dear Mrs. Mohandes,

"visual" would be related to a "personal" interpretation and thus might be biaised from underlying intentions. So I don't think one should use such equations as 100 mg/m = visible = actionable, even if proposed somewhere.

However, even if related to industry, relevant rulings, legislation or other might come from several directions, where i think it to be difficult to generalize. Also, "dust", even in industrial environment, is so very broad a denomination.. what kind of dust, which concentration, which space to be filled, which lighting etc. etc.

i think it would be good to refine the request and propose as following:

a) dust as a potential explosion hazard

b) dust as a potential harm to the health of employees

c) dust as a potential harm to environment

d) dust as a cost factor

...

to a), the applicable legislation is to be set by the operator of the site, e.g. ATEX or NFPA

to b), there we might e.g. refer to OSHA or local legislation

to c), if not considering a general human responsibility to protect a sound environment, surely there's local legislation, or should be

to d), well, there's Martin being a very good reference and you being seated in the first place ;-) might even receive some additional direct input

I'm sure that in any regulation, one shall always find that a dust load, if hazardous, is to be measured in a referencable, documentable and thus technical way.

Kind regards

R.

Measurement Of Dust

Posted on 21. Mar. 2017 - 01:38

Asr Bekheyr Roland ,

Regarding to Martin Foundations, there are several ways for dust measurement, which one is:

Visual Opacity Readings

A visual opacity reading is performed by a trained licensed inspector who observes the area for a set amount of time and documents the amount of visible dust in the air.....page. 287

I would like to know how a trained licensed inspector documents the amount of dust? how the inspector trained? is there any text book?

Roland Heilmann
(not verified)

Doubt To Dust

Posted on 22. Mar. 2017 - 07:52

Dear Mrs. Mohandes,

with all due respect to Martin Engineering as well as the achievements in US technology... but i.m.o. there is a need to analyze this deeper!

Effective doubt on my side: I hold this specific country to rather obey "market rules" meaning financial interest than to protect the environment. I hold also that if it is required to assess dust clouds, then the only correct way to do it is to measure the physical parameters rather than to abide by human perception and judgement. Simplified & purely from a practical p.o.v. I think if there's a cloud of dust where it should not be, then it's time to do some measurement. It's the engineer in my head: as well as i can't see "stress" in a piece of steel my ( ;-) human ) senses do not tell me enough to assess "a cloud of dust".

As i said... you seem to be well placed with Martin E. (or they should be, say, be able to express some gratitude??), so perhaps you simply approach (if technically speak legally possible) them for deeper insight or a copy of relevant regulation.

All above expresses my personal views and does not intent to hurt anyones feelings or professional pride / achievements.

Kind regards

Ruuz-a khub i dashte bashid!

R.