Dust Reduction Mechanism in an Aggregate Removal System
In one aspect of the invention, an aggregate removal system includes a self propelled vehicle with a frame and a conveyor. The conveyor has an intake end and an output end. A milling drum is connected to an underside of the frame and is enclosed within a milling chamber, which is defined by a front plate, side plates, and a moldboard. The drum is configured to drop aggregate within the milling chamber onto the intake end of the conveyor that protrudes into the milling chamber. The conveyor is configured to remove the aggregate from the milling chamber, and the conveyor also has at least one dust suppressant nozzle configured to apply a dust suppressant to aggregate carried by the conveyor.
1 . An aggregate removal system, comprising:
a self propelled vehicle comprising a frame and a conveyor;
the conveyor comprises an intake end and an output end;
a milling drum is connected to an underside of the frame and is enclosed within a milling chamber, the milling chamber is defined by a front plate, side plates, and a moldboard;
the drum is configured to drop aggregate within the milling chamber onto the intake end of the conveyor that protrudes into the milling chamber;
the conveyor is configured to remove the aggregate from the milling chamber; and
the conveyor comprises at least one dust suppressant nozzle configured to apply a dust suppressant to aggregate carried by the conveyor.
2 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the conveyor comprises an enclosure that approximately extends from the intake end to the output end.
3 . The system of claim 2 , wherein the nozzle is incorporated into the enclosure.
4 . The system of claim 2 , wherein the enclosure also comprises at least one vacuum port configured to remove dust from within the enclosure.
5 . The system of claim 4 , wherein the vacuum port is attached to a vacuum mechanism configured to direct dust back onto the conveyor.
6 . The system of claim 4 , wherein the vacuum port is attached to a vacuum mechanism configured to direct dust directly into a truck bed.
7 . The system of claim 2 , wherein the enclosure comprises a brush proximate the output end and is configure to direct aggregate off an underside of a conveyor belt.
8 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the nozzle is a spray nozzle that is configured to spray the dust suppressant onto aggregate carried by the conveyor.
9 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the nozzle is a foaming nozzle that is configured to foam the dust suppressant onto aggregate carried by the conveyor.
10 . The system of claim 9 , wherein an air compressor is attached to the conveyor and is configured to mix air with the dust suppressant to form a foam before the dust suppressant exists the nozzle.
11 . The system of claim 9 , wherein the foam comprises a dust suppressing blanket over the aggregate.
12 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the nozzle is a fogging nozzle that is configured to fog the dust suppressant onto aggregate carried by the conveyor.
13 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the conveyor comprises a plurality of conveyor belts.
14 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the intake end of the conveyor is supported by the vehicle, and the output end is suspended in the air.
15 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the dust suppressant comprises a half life that is at least as long as a duration between applying the dust suppressant to a piece of aggregate and ejecting the piece from the conveyor through the output end.
16 . The system of claim 15 , wherein the half life is at least twice as long as the duration.
17 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the at least one dust suppressant nozzle is disposed proximate the intake end.
18 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the at least one dust suppressant nozzle is disposed proximate the output end.
19 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the nozzle is supported by a cross arm that spans a width of a conveyor belt.