Method and apparatus for controlling dust emissions with temperature control
First Claim
1. A method for operating a working machine which includes:
- (a) a drive engine that produces engine exhaust gases;
(b) a milling drum that is mounted for rotation against a road surface thereby generating milled material including dust from the road surface;
(c) an enclosed space within which said milled material is contained;
(d) a spray assembly for directing water in such a manner that, during a period of rotation of the milling drum against the surface of the road, at least a portion of the water is converted to a vapor which is contained within the enclosed space;
(e) an exhaust stack for engine exhaust gases;
(f) a conduit for conducting at least a portion of the engine exhaust gases into the enclosed space;
(g) an exhaust metering valve that is adapted to selectively direct the engine exhaust gases into the conduit for conducting at least a portion of the engine exhaust gases into the enclosed space and/or to the exhaust stack;
(h) a controller that is adapted to operate the exhaust metering valve to control the flow of engine exhaust gases into the enclosed space;
said method comprising;
(i) operating the controller to conduct at least a portion of the engine exhaust gases into the enclosed space to heat the gas stream therein containing vapor and dust from the milled material to a temperature above its dew point.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A working machine for use in milling the surface of a road includes a drive engine that produces engine exhaust gases. The working machine also includes a milling drum that is mounted for rotation against the surface of the road so as to generate milled material including dust from the road surface. The milling drum is contained within a milling chamber, and a spray assembly directs water into the milling chamber in such a manner that, during a period of rotation of the milling drum against the surface of the road, at least a portion of the water is converted to a vapor. A conduit is provided for conducting at least a portion of the engine exhaust gases into an enclosed space in communication with the milling chamber to raise the temperature of a gas stream therein containing vapor and dust from the milled material.
28 Citations
18 Claims
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1. A method for operating a working machine which includes:
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(a) a drive engine that produces engine exhaust gases; (b) a milling drum that is mounted for rotation against a road surface thereby generating milled material including dust from the road surface; (c) an enclosed space within which said milled material is contained; (d) a spray assembly for directing water in such a manner that, during a period of rotation of the milling drum against the surface of the road, at least a portion of the water is converted to a vapor which is contained within the enclosed space; (e) an exhaust stack for engine exhaust gases; (f) a conduit for conducting at least a portion of the engine exhaust gases into the enclosed space; (g) an exhaust metering valve that is adapted to selectively direct the engine exhaust gases into the conduit for conducting at least a portion of the engine exhaust gases into the enclosed space and/or to the exhaust stack; (h) a controller that is adapted to operate the exhaust metering valve to control the flow of engine exhaust gases into the enclosed space; said method comprising; (i) operating the controller to conduct at least a portion of the engine exhaust gases into the enclosed space to heat the gas stream therein containing vapor and dust from the milled material to a temperature above its dew point. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A working machine for use in milling the surface of a road, said working machine comprising:
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(a) a drive engine that produces engine exhaust gases; (b) a milling drum that is mounted for rotation against the surface of the road, said milling drum being adapted to generate milled material including dust from the road surface; (c) a milling chamber within which said milling drum is contained; (d) a spray assembly for directing water into the milling chamber in such a manner that, during a period of rotation of the milling drum against the surface of the road, at least a portion of the water is converted to a vapor; (e) an enclosed space which comprises the milling chamber; (f) a conduit for conducting at least a portion of the engine exhaust gases into the enclosed space to raise the temperature of a gas stream therein containing vapor and dust from the milled material; (g) an exhaust stack for engine exhaust gases; (h) an exhaust metering valve that is adapted to selectively direct the engine exhaust gases into the conduit for conducting at least a portion of the engine exhaust gases into the enclosed space and/or to the exhaust stack. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A working machine for use in milling the surface of a road, said working machine comprising:
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(a) a drive engine that produces engine exhaust gases; (b) a milling drum that is mounted for rotation against the surface of the road, said milling drum being adapted to generate milled material including dust from the road surface; (c) a milling chamber within which said milling drum is contained; (d) a spray assembly for directing water into the milling chamber in such a manner that, during a period of rotation of the milling drum against the surface of the road, at least a portion of the water is converted to a vapor; (e) an enclosed space which comprises the milling chamber; (f) a conduit for conducting at least a portion of the engine exhaust gases into the enclosed space to raise the temperature of a gas stream therein containing vapor and dust from the milled material; (g) a first conveyor for carrying milled material from the milling enclosure; (h) an enclosure for the first conveyor that defines a first enclosed duct through which a gas stream can pass, said first enclosed duct being in communication with the milling chamber so as to be included along with the milling chamber within the enclosed space; (i) a second conveyor for carrying milled material from the forward end of the first conveyor; (j) an enclosure for the second conveyor that defines a second enclosed duct through which a gas stream can pass, said second enclosed duct being in communication with the first enclosed duct and the milling chamber so as to be included along with the first enclosed duct and the milling chamber within the enclosed space; (k) a first gas stream blocking device at the forward end of the second conveyor, which first gas stream blocking device is adapted; (i) to block a substantial portion of the gas stream above the milled material on the second conveyor; (ii) to help to keep air at atmospheric pressure from entering the second enclosed duct. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18)
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Specification