Compositional Evaluations of Marble Powder Particulates and Design of a Novel Dust Collector System for Industrial Indoor Dust Emission Control

Insights of this study broadly dissected two distinct cutting research edges, overarching material characterization of marble powder particulates and engineering design of advanced dust collector system for industrial indoor environments. Sources of marble powder pollution at Stonite industrial workshop were polishing, cutting, smoothing, crushing, drilling, transporting and grinding. XRD analysis and FTIR spectral bands identification revealed the present constituent compounds, reliant on shreds of literature and mineralogical-crystallography-database. Action of nitric acid on marble powder produced effervescent sounds (bubbles, hisses and foams as gases were visibly evaporating) which continued till the whole marble powder completely dissolved in the acid, indicating presence of calcium-carbonate. Particle sizes analyses confirmed that marble powder sizes ranged from 2.434µm − 18.332µm, underscoring they are inhalable/respirable. Dust trapping equipment that can collect generated dust and prevent it from dispersing was proposed. The designed/fabricated dust collector device has ability of pulling at 1880 CFM through a 9’’dia duct at 4000 FPM and required a static pressure of about 10.192”WG. A 7.5hp induction motor was recommended for this design which has the ability to produce desired CFM and optimal counter-resistance to static pressure. More effective trapping of marble powder relied on novelty of the designed adjustable shroud that can be repositioned closer to points of operations, aimed to capture every produced marble powder first hand before they disperse.