Desenvolvimento de túnel de vento para avaliação da eficiência de bicos de pulverização no abatimento de poeira

Abstract

Mining plays a fundamental role in the economy, particularly in iron ore extraction. However, its benefits are accompanied by environmental impacts, such as dust emissions. This issue causes disruptions in mining operations, leading to production stoppages, fines, and health risks for workers and nearby communities, in addition to environmental degradation. Dust control has been widely studied, with the use of suppressant solutions through spray nozzles being one of the most effective methods. The efficiency of these nozzles is a critical factor, making bench-scale tests essential for understanding dust suppression in bulk materials. The use of wind tunnels has become a common approach in research on this topic. In this study, a wind tunnel was developed to evaluate five different nozzle types, testing their efficiency in suppressing pellet feed and sinter feed at two airspeeds and different water pressures. The results demonstrated that the tunnel effectively assesses and compares nozzle performance, establishing itself as a valuable tool for advancing knowledge in the Laboratory of Fluid Dynamics and Particulate Systems.

Keywords: Dust. Suppression. Spray nozzle. Wind Tunnel.