Method for suppressing process dust emissions
AssigneeBetz Laboratories, Inc.
InventorDonald C. Roe
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Abstract
Foam is formed from a solution of demineralized make-down water and foaming agent, and the foam contacted with solid materials to suppress process dust emissions. The foaming agent may be a low salt tolerant surfactant which loses its surface active properties in typical aqueous process streams, or end uses, thereby minimizing subsequent foam related problems. The low salt tolerant surfactant may be part of a combination of components for forming foam which is low salt tolerant.
Claims25
A process for suppressing process dust emissions in the handling of solid material with foam without forming foam in subsequent aqueous processing, which process comprises
- (a) forming a solution of demineralized make-down water and a foaming agent, which foaming agent is a salt of a fatty acid having between about eight and eighteen carbons;
- (b) forming a foam from the solution;
- (c) contacting the solid material with the foam;
- and
- (d) inhibiting foam formation in aqueous process media by contacting the foaming agent with dissolved minerals in said media.
In a process in which solid materials are subjected to treatment with a dust suppression medium and are subsequently treated with an aqueous processing medium containing more than 50 ppm of dissolved CaCO.sub.3, the improvement which comprises applying as said dust suppression medium a medium formed by dissolving a foaming agent in demineralized water, which foaming agent is a salt of a fatty acid having between about eight and eighteen carbons, wherein foam formation in the aqueous process media is inhibited by contact of the foaming agent with the dissolved CaCO.sub.3 in said media.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.