Experimental examination of factors that affect dust generation by using Heubach and MRI testers

Four factors that affect dust generation were investigated--type of test material, particle size distribution of the test material, moisture content of the test material, and apparatus used to generate dust. Dust generated from silicon carbide and aluminum oxide was measured by using MRI and Heubach dustiness testers modified to allow the measurement of dust particle size distribution with an Andersen impactor. The two materials investigated generated similar dusts. The size distribution of the test material slightly influenced the amount but strongly influenced the size distribution of the dust generated. Increased moisture content decreased the amount of dust generated; moisture content had little influence on dust size distribution. The two testers generated different amounts of dust; however, the dust particle size distributions generated were similar. These results help explain factors that affect dust generation and the relative importance of alternative methods for dust control.