(41v) Path Towards Zero-Dust Emissions: Safeguards and Controls in Solids Manufacturing

Solids manufacturing comes with its own set of unique challenges and requires specific considerations related to dust hazards. There is generally a lack of comprehensive understanding of dust-related hazards in the chemical industry due to a multitude of reasons. Such reasons include, but are not limited to:

a) Familiarity with NFPA 652 standards,

b) Variations in dust properties have different safety impacts,

c) Less importance compared to conventional fluid chemicals and

d) Assumption that dust hazards are minimal.

As such, in order to have successful bulk solids manufacturing with a proactive approach to safety, it is of imperative importance to understand, identify, and mitigate combustible dust-related hazards.

This presentation will provide specific examples of the safeguards and controls that were implemented to reduce fugitive dust emissions at a specialty chemical manufacturing facility. Safeguards employed considered dust explosivity characteristics, re-evaluation of dust collection units, relief devices, and ventilation systems. Various operational and maintenance practices were also used to reduce dust generation, along with employee training on dust control practices. The talk will also discuss the achievements and lessons learned along the way.