Misting apparatus and dust suppression system employing the same

Abstract

The present invention relates to a dust suppression system for use in a container, and a misting apparatus therefor. In one form, the dust suppression system comprises at least one misting apparatus for contributing to the creation of a mist layer for preventing the escape of the dust from the container, the misting apparatus comprising a means for generating an airflow, and a means for producing a mist in the airflow so that the mist is carried by the airflow.

1 . A misting apparatus comprising:
 a body, and   a rotating assembly supported by the body so as to be rotatable about an axis of rotation, the rotating assembly comprising:
 a hub, 
 a fan comprising at least one fan blade depending from the hub, and 
 a turbine comprising at least one rotor assembly comprising:
 at least one rotor arm extending radially from the hub and comprising a fluid emitter receiving a supply of a fluid, the fluid emitter issuing a jet of a fluid at a distance from the axis of rotation to drive the rotating assembly and the or each fan blade depending therefrom via the rotor assembly to create an airflow into which the or each jet of fluid is issued to form a mist that is carried by the airflow. 
 
   
     
     
         2 . The misting apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the or each rotor arm is tubular and the fluid emitter is a jet nozzle oriented to discharge the jet to drive rotation of the rotating assembly. 
     
     
         3 . The misting apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the rotating assembly comprises a plurality of fan blades equi-spaced around the hub to form the fan. 
     
     
         4 . The misting apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the rotating assembly comprises a plurality of rotor arms equi-spaced around the hub to form the rotor assembly positioned in the airflow issuing from the fan. 
     
     
         5 . The misting apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the body comprises a shroud for the rotating assembly. 
     
     
         6 . The misting apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein the shroud is tubular, and comprises a central axis which is substantially coaxial with the axis of rotation for the rotating assembly, and which comprises an inlet for air, and an outlet for a mist entraining airflow. 
     
     
         7 . The misting apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein this comprises a further means for introducing the fluid to the airflow. 
     
     
         8 . The misting apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein this further comprises a fluid line extending about a perimeter of the outlet, the fluid line comprising a plurality of spaced secondary fluid emitters each directed so as to release fluid into the airflow. 
     
     
         9 . A dust suppression system for use in a container for a dusting material which creates a dust when agitated, the system comprising at least one misting apparatus according to  claim 1 , contributing to the creation of a mist layer for preventing the escape of the dust from the container. 
     
     
         10 . The dust suppression system of  claim 9 , wherein the container is a hold of a ship, the hold having a hatch, and a plurality of the misting apparatus are spaced apart about a perimeter of the hatch. 
     
     
         11 . The dust suppression system of  claim 9 , wherein the or each apparatus is connected to a fluid supply, and the system further comprises a means for providing the fluid to the or each apparatus under pressure.