Particle Emission Coefficient Measurement for Dust Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for reducing particulate emissions on construction sites, such as watering tracks and regulating vehicle traffic, are costly and lack an optimal approach for selecting effective measures.

Innovation Solution

Calculating the particle emission coefficient of the material, which characterizes its propensity to emit dust, and weighting it by relative humidity to determine the particle emission potential, allowing for optimized management of truck traffic and watering of traffic lanes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If tracks are periodically watered to limit dust emissions, then dust pollution is reduced, but additional costs increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedust pollutionVSAvoidwater consumption cost
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by measuring the particle emission coefficient and relative humidity to dynamically adjust watering parameters. The system changes the watering strategy from fixed periodic intervals to adaptive timing based on real-time environmental parameters (particle emission coefficient CE and relative humidity HR), thereby reducing water consumption while maintaining dust control effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Object-affected harmful factors

If vehicle passages are regularly spaced out to limit dust, then dust emissions are reduced, but productivity decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedust emissionsVSAvoidvehicle circulation efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamics by enabling real-time monitoring and adaptive control of vehicle circulation based on the particle emission potential. The system dynamically adjusts traffic management strategies according to measured parameters (CE and HR), allowing vehicle passages to be optimized rather than statically regulated, thus maintaining productivity while controlling dust emissions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Object-affected harmful factors

If unit mass of vehicles is limited to reduce dust, then dust take-off is reduced, but transportation efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedust take-offVSAvoidtransportation efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies feedback by measuring the particle emission coefficient and relative humidity, then using this information to provide feedback on optimal vehicle mass and circulation strategies. The system continuously monitors environmental parameters and adjusts vehicle management recommendations accordingly, enabling efficient transportation while controlling dust take-off through informed decision-making rather than blanket restrictions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

4Object-affected harmful factors

If no optimization method is used for dust control measures, then implementation is simple, but dust reduction effectiveness is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedust reduction effectivenessVSAvoidmeasurement and calculation system
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical/manual dust control methods with a measurement and calculation-based system. Instead of relying on fixed schedules or manual assessment, the system uses optical measurements (visibility, particle concentration) and computational algorithms to determine the particle emission coefficient and guide control measures, thereby significantly improving dust reduction effectiveness despite the added system complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This method enables the optimization of dust reduction measures by adapting vehicle circulation and watering strategies based on site-specific conditions, reducing environmental pollution and visibility issues effectively.

Implementation Method 1

by injecting a flow of air entering the enclosure, one causes the flight of particles from said fines and their ejection out of the enclosure in an outgoing air flow

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAir flow ejection: Jet

Implementation Method 2

a visibility and a mass concentration of particles in the outgoing air flow are measured

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight scattering: Scattering

Implementation Method 3

a visibility and a mass concentration of particles in the outgoing air flow are measured

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectParticle detection:

Data Source

PatentEP3807617B1Method and device for determining the particle emission coefficient and potential of a material, and method for controlling a flow path
Publication Date: 2023.06.07 UNIV GUSTAVE EIFFEL
  • EP3807617B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3807617B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3807617B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

Method for determining the particle emission coefficient of a material (CE), comprising the steps of: b) successively, for different masses of fines: b1) disposing a mass of said fines in a chamber (10); b2) and, by injecting air into the chamber (10), ejecting the particles from the chamber in an outgoing air flow; b3) measuring the maximum mass concentration (PM_max) of the particles in the outgoing air flow and the total ejection time (D_Ej) of the particles; d) calculating a trend line (D) that is representative of the function providing the maximum standardised particle concentration (PM_max_norm) as a function of the standardised ejection time (D_Ej_norm) of the particles; e) calculating the particle emission coefficient of the material (CE) according to the slope of the trend line (D).