Claims:1. A system for controlling fugitive dust generation and movement at a source level, the system comprising:
a. a windbreak module, located in an upward direction of the wind, comprises of a plurality of porous wind panels with coverings, erected from the ground level to reduce the wind speed and control the dust generation at the source level; and
b. a greenery module, erected vertically in a downward direction of the wind, wherein the greenery module substantially comprises of a stiff self-supporting planar frame made of cement poles, the said frame including a plurality of horizontal and vertical members made of sal balli and bamboo supported with one or more steel wires and nylon nets for attaching plurality of planters for growing suitable species of climbers.

2. The system as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the greenery module includes trench, located at the bottom side of the greenery module, to provide water to vertical plants.

3. The system as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the vertical greenery system is configured with a three-row bamboo plantation behind it, to act as a wind fence in case of reversal of wind direction.

4. The system as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the climbers are selected based on high APTI (air pollution tolerance index) from a group of Ipomoea palmate/ Ipomoea cairica, Antigononleptopus, Thunbergia grandiflora, Clerodendrum splendens, Aristolochia elegans, Quisqalis indica, Vernoniaela egnifolia, Petrea volubilis, Adenocalymma comosum, Cryptolepis buchanani and Jacquemontia violacea.

5. The system as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the height of the vertical greenery system is taken as 5 m subject to maximum height of 5m of dust load from finished ground level.

6. The system as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the fugitive dust source having a width of 100 m, length of 500 m and height of 5 m; windbreak having a length of 510 m extending 5 m beyond the source length at both ends and height of 6 m and located at a distance of less than 5m from the source in the upwind direction.

7. The system as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the windbreak system is a structural frame with a covering, the height of which is taken as 6 meters subject to maximum height of 5m of dust load from top of pedestal which is 0.5 meters above Finished Ground Level.

8. The system as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the windbreaks are made of galvanized steel wind breaks panels. , Description:A SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING GENERATION AND MOVEMENT OF FUGITIVE DUST

FIELD OF THE INVENTION:

The present invention relates to a system and method for controlling fugitive dust generation and its movement at the source level, in particular to a system and method for controlling fugitive dust generation and its movement through synchronised application of windbreak and vertical greenery system.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION:

Fugitive dust is an environmental air quality term for very small particles suspended in the air, primarily mineral dust that is sourced from the soil of earth's pedosphere. The term is used to denote that the dust “escapes” into the atmosphere rather than being exhausted in a confined flow stream from a “ducted emitter” (an exhaust pipe or chimney). These particles are mainly minerals common to soil, including silicon oxides, aluminium oxides, calcium carbonates and iron oxides. About half of fugitive dust particles are larger than 10 microns in diameter and settle more quickly than the smaller particles. It does not include particulate matter from other common artificial sources such as vehicle exhaust, burn piles or smokestacks.

The inhalation of fugitive dust can cause respiratory illnesses, permanent lung damage, and in some individuals premature death. As wind-borne dust can easily migrate, respiratory irritation can occur in construction and agricultural workers close to a source as well as others including wildlife. In addition to adverse health effects, the abrasive nature of particulate matter can cause property damage and obscure visibility leading to vehicular collisions causing injury and death. These dust particles can also harm plant life. In 1999, the National Park Service found that lichen and other non-vascular plants in the Cape Krusenstern National Monument in Alaska were affected due to dust generated from hauling ore from the Red Dog mine along a 19 miles (31 km) road within the monument. Accordingly, it is the crucial requirement of the hour to reduce the fugitive dust that is being generated in coal mines and other industrial areas.

Both Windbreak and Vertical Greenery System (VGS) are being used individually for various purposes including pollution control but their synchronized application as proposed in the present invention has not been found in the literature. As the erection of a wind barrier of the same height is approximately four times expensive than VGS, the combined system is also cost-effective in comparison to only providing Wind Barriers around the source. If only VGS is provided around the source, reduction in dust control efficiency will be lower and it may not sustain very high wind speed. Accordingly, the present system will be effective for use in mines, thermal power plants, railway sidings, ports, etc., wherein coal or other minerals/ fugitive materials are stored under the open sky. Therefore, the present invention discloses a cost-effective and efficient system for controlling fugitive dust generation and movement at the source level by simultaneous deployment of a of Windbreak and Vertical Greenery System.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION:

The primary objective of the present invention is to provide a cost-effective and efficient system and method for controlling fugitive dust generation and their movement at the source level, in particular, direct reduction in the dust concentration in the environment.

Another objective of the present invention is to provide a system for reducing the speed of the wind approaching towards the source of fugitive dust thereby reducing the capacity of the ambient air to pick up dust while blowing over the source.

Yet another objective of the present invention is to provide a system which acts as a filter to reduce the quantity of the residual dust moving along with the wind towards the receptors in the down-wind direction.

Still another objective of the present invention is to provide a system contributing to reduction in evaporation rate, noise attenuation and improvement of the aesthetics surrounding the source of fugitive dust.

The other objectives, preferred embodiments and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of the present invention when read in conjunction with the accompanying examples, figures and tables, which are not intended to limit scope of the present invention in any manner.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION:

The present invention proposes a system for controlling fugitive dust generation and movement at the source level by simultaneous deployment of a windbreak in the upwind direction and a vertical greenery system in the downwind direction wherein the windbreak comprising of porous wind panels, configured to reduce the average wind speed and prevent the dust generation at source; and the vertical greenery system comprising of cement poles and bamboo/ Sal pole, steel wires, nylon net to support climbers.

A wind break is a porous barrier, which is also known as wind fence, wind shelter or wind barrier, at the back of which a low-velocity zone is formed. Parameters that are taken into consideration while designing a wind break including, without limitation, predominant wind directions and maximum anticipated wind speed, source geometry, height and desired width of the shelter zone, porosity, orientation viz. angle between barrier and wind direction, length to height ratio, type of wind panels and stability of the structure.

Vertical Greenery System is nothing but a vertical medium for growing plants directly on or with the help of plant guiding structure. Factors that are taken into consideration while designing this including, without limitation, selection of suitable species of climbers based upon Air Pollution Tolerance Index (APTI), soil and climatic conditions at the site, average height of the climbers, stability of the structure, fugitive dust generation source geometry, predominant wind directions and maximum anticipated wind speed, irrigation arrangements and arrangements for removal of dust particulates adhered on the surface of leaves.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS:

A general understanding of the invention with its foregoing and other objects will be apparent upon consideration of the following detailed description read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

Figure 1 shows a flow chart depicting the generation and movement of dust due to interaction between the wind and fugitive dust sources.

Figure 2 shows a flow chart depicting the synchronised application of Windbreak (WB) and Vertical Greenery System (VGS) for controlling fugitive dust at the source level in the present invention.

Figure 3 shows a graphical representation of redistribution of the kinetic energy of the wind by Windbreak, reproduced from a prior art.

Figure 4 is a diagrammatic representation of the difference between using solid wall and porous wall panels of the Windbreaker, reproduced from a prior art.

Figure 5 is a photographic representation of the Wind Panel used for making Windbreak as proposed in the present invention.

Figure 6 is a photographic representation of the Windbreak (made of wind panels) after installation per the present invention.

Figure 7 shows a suggested supporting structural design of Vertical Greenery System (VGB) per the proposed invention.

Figure 8 shows a suggested arrangement for irrigation of plants in Vertical Greenery System (VGB) per the proposed invention.
Figure 9 reflects a layout map for three rows bamboo plantation at downwind side of the Vertical Greenery System (VGB) per one of the embodiments of the present invention.

Figure 10 is an isometric illustrative view of the synchronized erection of Wind break and Vertical Greenery System per the present invention.

Figure 11 shows a detailed drawing of a 06m High Wind Break System.

Figure 12 shows a side elevation details of a 06m High Wind Break System.

Figure 13 shows a detailed drawing of a 05m High Vertical Greenery System.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS:

Accordingly, while carrying out the above objects, the present invention provides a system and method for controlling fugitive dust generation and movement at its source level which is devoid of the drawbacks/ problems in the prior art systems.

In accordance with one of the preferred embodiments of the present invention, the present invention includes synchronized application of windbreak (WB) and vertical greenery system (VGS) for reducing the generation and dispersion of fugitive dust as shown in Figure 1. Windbreak and Vertical Greenery System are erected in the upwind (102) and downwind (103) direction with respect to the fugitive dust source(s) (101) respectively. The windbreak reduces the speed of the wind approaching towards the source and hence it reduces the capacity of the ambient air to pick up dust while blowing over the source. VGS acts as a filter and reduces the quantity of the residual dust moving along with the wind towards the receptors in the down-wind direction.

Windbreak (204) acts by reducing the wind speed, and also reduces the turbulence of the wind. When wind with reduced speed interacts with the fugitive dust sources (201), it produces less concentration of dust in the ambient air as wind erosion is proportional to the cube of wind speed. As shown in Figure 2, After picking up the dust particulates, the wind moves further and encounters Vertical Greenery System (205). It moves towards VGS (205) not only with a lower concentration of particulate matter but also with lower wind speed and turbulence and thus provides suitable conditions for VGS (205) to work effectively. VGS (205) will work quite effectively during the winter season as fugitive dust sources (201) are ground-based and stable atmospheric conditions prevail. Accordingly, VGS (205) effectively removes the particulate matter by filtration and deposition. Here, the upwind (202) and downwind (203) direction is selected based upon the direction of the wind prevalent during the winter season. [The winter season is generally the worst season from an air pollution perspective.]
In another embodiment of the present invention, windbreak system includes porous wind barriers/ / wind fences / wind panels / wind shelters, at the back of which, a low-velocity zone is formed. This wind barrier effectively reduces the average wind speed, thereby preventing dust from moving and achieves the purpose of dust suppression. A lower wind speed is obtained at a height below the height of the wind barrier up to a certain distance in the down-wind direction. This environmental condition behind the windbreak is called sheltered zone, which becomes most effective as the reduction of speed of wind takes places through windbreak. Since wind power is calculated as cube of wind speed, even a small reduction in the wind speed is more than enough to reduce the wind power significantly. Wind speed behind a windbreaker as percentage of incoming wind speed is illustrated in Figure 4 as reproduced from a prior art for reference purpose. Further, porous windbreak system/ wind panel is preferred over solid walls as the latter will generate lot of turbulence. Figure 5 (of prior art) illustrates the difference between solid wall and wall with controlled porosity.

In yet another embodiment, a vertical greenery system (VGS) is being disclosed, which includes growing of plants directly on or with the help of plant guiding structure. Referring to Figure 8, a view of the suggested VGS structure includes low-cost materials such as cement poles (803), bamboos (804), steel wires (802), and nylon nets (801) for the purpose of attenuation of dust and other pollutants.

In another embodiment, the present system suggests irrigation arrangement for the VGS viz. a trench filling facilities for vertical greenery system by dedicated water tanker as shown in Figure 9.

In the said embodiment, three rows of bamboo plantation behind the VGS can also be made, this will reduce the impact of high wind speed on the structure and also function as wind fence in case of reversal of wind direction (please see Figure 10).

Further, in the above-mentioned embodiment (viz. Vertical Greenery System) of the present invention selection of a suitable species of climbers based upon Air Pollution Tolerance Index (APTI), soil and climatic conditions at the site plays a vital role. The suggested species of climbers based upon Air Pollution Tolerance Index (APTI) has been presented in the below Table 1 (obtained from prior art).

Sl. No. Botanical Name Common Name APTI

1 Ipomoea palmate or Cario Morning glory, 25.59
Ipomoea cairica Railroad creeper


2 Antigononleptopus Coral vine, Anantlata 23.98

3 Thunbergia grandiflora Neel lata 23.46

4 Clerodendrum splendens Flaming glorybower, Pagoda flower 23.13
5 Aristolochia elegans Indian birthwort, Duck flower, Hookabel 22.22

6 Quisqalis indica Madhumalti 20.15

7 Vernoniaela egnifolia Curtain creeper, Vernonia creeper, Pardabel 19.75

8 Petrea volubilis Purple wreath, Sandpaper vine, Nilmanilata 19.21

9 Adenocalymma comosum Yellow trumpet vine 18.51

10 Cryptolepis buchanani Wax leaved climber, Kala bel 17.89

11 Jacquemontia violacea Skyblue Clustervine 17.32

TABLE 1

The present invention not only controls the pollution caused by the fugitive dust with the help of synchronized action of windbreak and Vertical Greenery System, but is also effective in reducing evaporation rate in the sheltered area, improvement of the aesthetics of the surroundings, and noise attenuation. As the erection of a wind barrier of the same height is approximately four times costlier than VGS, the combined system is also cost-effective in comparison to only providing Wind Barriers around the source. If only VGS is provided around the source, reduction in dust control efficiency will be lower and it may not sustain very high wind speed.

Example 1:

The wind barrier system is a structural frame with a covering, whose height is taken as 6 meters (subject to maximum height of 5m of dust load) from top of pedestal which is 0.5 meters above FGL (Finished Ground Level). An illustrative front elevation, side elevation and layout design of wind breaker is shown in Figure 11 and Figure 12. The method of erection of windbreaker comprises of the following steps -
• Excavation of land;
• Supplying and filling in plinth with Jamuna sand under floors;
• Centering and shuttering including strutting, propping etc;
• Providing and laying in position specified grade of reinforced cement concrete;
• Riveting, bolting or welding structural steel work in built up sections, trusses and framed work.
• Supplying and fixing galvanized steel windbreak panels.

Example 2:

The height of the vertical greenery is taken as 5 meters (subject to maximum height of 5 m of dust load) from finished ground level (FGL). Figure 13 shows the planar view of the 5m high vertical greenery system (1100) according to the present invention. The system (1100) substantially comprises of a frame made of cement vertical poles (1101) fixedly rooted on a properly compacted mixture of soil, bricks and bats (1102). The method of arranging vertical greenery comprises of -
• Excavation of land;
• Providing and laying in position cement concrete (1102) of specified grade;
• Using Reinforced cement concrete poles length 10m (1101) having loading capacity minimum 300kg;
• Using Sal Balli of minimum diameter of 125 mm for Vertical Support (1103);
• Using Sal Balli of 25 mm diameter and 2.5-metre-long for Horizontal Support (1104);
• Providing and fixing approved quality Stainless Steel wire of 6 mm diameter (1105);
• Treating points of contact of wood work by chemical emulsion;
• Providing and fixing approved quality nylon net (1106).

The watery supply to the plants grown in the system (1100) is also provided through trench bottom (1107).

Example 3:

The parameters/factors while conducting the experiment includes a location of Windbreak(WB) and Vertical Greenery System(VGS) with respect to a fugitive dust source having a width 100m, length 500m and height of 5m or below is shown below.

The dimensions of the WB - Length = 510m (extending 05 m beyond the source length at both ends), Height = 6m, Location < 5m from the source in the upwind direction.

The dimensions of VGS - Length = 510m (extending 05 m beyond the source length at both ends), Height = 5m, Location < 5m from the source in the upwind direction.
References:

1. Mina Radic, M.B. Dodig & Thomas Auer: “Green Facades and Living Walls – a review establishing the classification of construction types and mapping the benefits.” Sustainability 2019,11,4579,
2. Baviskar, N. (2015): “Design and structural analysis of wind fence used for protecting modular data centre from high wind speed”. Presented to the Faculty of the Graduate School of the University of Texas at Arlington in Partial fulfilment of degree of M.Sc.(Mechanical Engineering).

3. Pandey, A.K. Tripathy, B.D. and Pandey, Mayank: Air Pollution Tolerance Index of Climber Plant Species to develop Vertical Greenery Systems in a polluted tropical city. Landscape & Urban Planning, 144(2015), page 119 -127