Dust Suppression Using Truck-Mounted Water Spray System

The control of dust on construction sites is an issue of concern of many communities that experience a high level of construction activity. Dust suppression typically involves using large water trucks to spray haul roads, material stockpiles, and other areas being worked by equipment. This method of dust control leads to labor, operating, and safety costs and complications that can limit and sometimes prohibit its implementation. Other spray methods that are cost-effective, easy to implement, functionally viable, and safe are needed that provide direct and effective dust control for each piece of equipment. This paper describes a research project to develop and evaluate a water spray system for suppressing dust emissions that is attached directly to a piece of earthmoving equipment, specifically a dump truck. The system consists of distribution hose, pipe, and spray nozzles attached to the perimeter of the truck body, and a water pump and water tank secured to the truck's frame. The system's design takes into account various operational and performance factors, including water consumption rate, spray configuration, equipment function and operation, dust suppression effectiveness, and cost of installation and use. It is expected that the system developed can play an effective role in minimizing dust emissions from construction sites.