Dust control system

Abstract

A method and an apparatus for reducing dust is disclosed for use with a working machine which is adapted to fragment material from a working surface and includes at least one partially confined space in which dust occurs. A liquid capable of binding dust is provided and the liquid is sprayed into the partially confined space to trap dust particles generated during fragmentation of the material form the working surface.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A method of reducing dust produced by a working machine adapted to fragment material from a working surface, said working machine including a tank for holding a liquid, an associated liquid supply system, and at least one partially confined space in which said dust occurs, comprising the steps of: 
 providing a liquid including a dust binding agent, and    spraying said liquid into said at least one partially confined space.    
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , including the step of combining said dust binding agent with water.  
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2  wherein said dust binding agent is adapted to lower the surface tension of water.  
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein said dust binding agent is based on an organic citrus ingredient and is biodegradable.  
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein said water is supplied from said tank via said liquid supply system, and said combining step includes the step of controllably adding said dust binding agent to said water at a selected location along said liquid supply system.  
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein said combining step includes the step of mixing said water and said dust binding agent in said tank.  
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said liquid is sprayed in a widely dispersed spray pattern into said partially confined space.  
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said partially confined space includes a space above a conveyor adapted to convey the removed material to a collection location.  
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said working machine includes a working device adapted to fragment said working surface, and wherein said partially confined space includes a working space around said working device.  
     
     
         10 . A road working machine having a working device adapted to fragment a working surface, comprising: 
 a source of water connected to a pump connected to at least one outlet, said water including a dust binding agent, and said at least one outlet being directed at working surface material fragmented by said working device.    
     
     
         11 . A road working machine, as set forth in  claim 10 , wherein said source of water includes a tank and a liquid supply system adapted to connect said tank and said at least one outlet; and 
 wherein said source of water further includes a dust binding agent supply means connected to said supply system and adapted to add a dust binding agent to the water supplied by said liquid supply system from said tank.    
     
     
         12 . A road working machine, as set forth in  claim 11 , wherein said dust binding agent supply means includes a metering device adapted to control the amount of said dust binding agent being added to the water.  
     
     
         13 . A road working machine, as set forth in  claim 10 , wherein said source of water includes a tank and a liquid supply system adapted to connect said tank and said at least one outlet, said tank containing water mixed with said dust binding agent.  
     
     
         14 . A road working machine, as set forth in  claim 10 , wherein said dust binding agent lowers the surface tension of water.  
     
     
         15 . A road working machine, as set forth in  claim 14 , wherein said dust binding agent is based on an organic citrus ingredient and is biodegradable.  
     
     
         16 . A road working machine, as set forth in  claim 10 , wherein said at least one outlet is directed into a partially confined space of said working machine containing said fragmented material, said partially confined space including a space above a conveyor adapted to convey the fragmented material to a collection location.  
     
     
         17 . A road working machine, as set forth in  claim 10 , wherein said partially confined space includes a working space around said working device.  
     
     
         18 . A road working machine, as set forth in  claim 10 , wherein said at least one outlet includes at least one nozzle adapted to generate a widely dispersed spray of said water mixed with said dust binding agent and directed onto said fragmented material.  
     
     
         19 . An apparatus for reducing dust, said apparatus being adapted to be mounted on a road working machine having a working device adapted to fragment a working surface, comprising: 
 a water source connected to a pump connected to at least one outlet, said water source including a dust binding agent and said at least one outlet being adapted to be mounted to a portion of said working machine so as to be directed at said fragmented material from said working device.    
     
     
         20 . An apparatus, as set forth in  claim 19 , wherein said water source includes a tank and a supply system adapted to connect said tank and said at least one outlet; and 
 wherein said water source further includes a dust binding agent supply means connected to said supply system and adapted to add said dust binding agent to the water supplied by said supply system from said tank.    
     
     
         21 . An apparatus, as set forth in  claim 20 , wherein said dust binding agent supply means includes a metering device adapted to control the amount of said dust binding agent being added to the water.  
     
     
         22 . An apparatus, as set forth in  claim 19 , wherein said water source includes a supply system adapted to connect a tank provided on said road working machine and said at least one outlet; said tank containing water mixed with said dust binding agent.  
     
     
         23 . An apparatus for reducing dust, said apparatus being adapted to be mounted on a machine having at least one partially confined work space, comprising: 
 a source of water containing a dust binding agent; and    at least one liquid spray outlet connected to said source and disposed in said work space.    
     
     
         24 . An apparatus, as set forth in  claim 23 , including a tank containing water mixed with said dust binding agent.  
     
     
         25 . An apparatus, as set forth in  claim 23 , including a dust binding agent supply means adapted to combine said dust binding agent with said water, said dust binding agent supply means having a metering device adapted to control the ratio of said dust binding agent to said water.  
     
     
         26 . An apparatus, as set forth in  claim 23 , wherein said machine includes at least one conveyor having a transport surface and said at least one partially confined work space includes a space above said at least one conveyor transport surface; and 
 wherein said at least one liquid spray outlet is located at a position sufficient to direct said water and dust binding agent onto said at least one conveyor transport surface.