No abstract

a b s t r a c tDust emission from storage yards is a multivariable problem to be solved not only at any new installation in order to obtain the licenses from the involved authorities but also at existing yards to continue the operation. Engineers have a great variety of methodologies available at the market to estimate such emissions, but in general the process is divided into two independent stages: wind flow analysis and application of emission rates into such wind pattern. This paper summarizes the research developed by this group to link both steps: by using CFX version 10.0, a powerful computational fluid dynamics (CFD) software, the wind flow around the piles is predicted, or even through a complex yard, and at the same time by implementing new subroutines introduced into the standard software, the program is able to give a quantitative evaluation of the total fugitive dust.

In the setting of a research project about the blasting negative effects granted with public funds coming from the Spanish Ministry for Development, several measurement campaigns were developed, in various locations and situations, where earth vibrations, aerial waves and dust in suspension simultaneously measured. Taking into account the dust negative effects (for human health, inhabited environment or plants) it is interesting to have available tools that allow the estimation of the particulated material quantities ejected in a blast (already studied by our research team in other cases). Here we show the application of the standardised computational methods for atmospheric contamination (developed for other applications) in the specific case of blasting in mining and civil works. To do so we have used the field data collected in blasts at a maritime port and at a limestone quarry. We will also show the advantages of using CFD when solving some of these problems, which is being studied in other research projects.