Dust control with mineral oil

Grain dust emissions pose significant risks in grain handling and storage facilities, including potential explosions and health hazards for workers. Implementing effective dust control measures is essential for safety and efficiency. One such measure is the use of food-grade mineral oil, which has proven to be an effective solution for reducing airborne dust in upright concrete elevators.

Nationwide Agribusiness encourages the use of food-grade mineral oil to help control grain dust emissions in upright concrete elevators. Spraying food-grade mineral oil on or into moving grain as part of a comprehensive dust and ignition control program can significantly reduce airborne dust and help reduce the risk of grain dust explosions.

How it works

Food-grade mineral oil is approved for use in commodity grain and is typically applied at the receiving pit (chute to leg). Grain dust is attracted to the oil, thus helping to remove suspended grain dust. Many large terminal elevators are applying the oil on house belts during grain turning operations. Food-grade mineral oil is known to be effective in controlling dust on commodity grains such as wheat, milo, corn and soybeans.

Benefits of using an oil suppression system

• Improving worker safety. A reduction in airborne dust decreases the possibility of an explosion and provides a cleaner work environment.
• Decreasing the amount of shrinkage. Grain dust that would otherwise be lost as dust is now retained by the grain stream and can be sold as grain.
• Reducing housekeeping manpower. The amount of time and effort required for dust removal is lower because of less dust.
• Improving economics. An oil suppression system is more cost effective than conventional controls, such as fabric filters and cyclones. Less dust means reduced costs associated with dust handling and disposal.

Installation and maintenance

To be most effective, food-grade mineral oil systems should be installed correctly and calibrated at least annually. Application rates vary with the type of upright concrete storage; however, a good rule of thumb is 1 gallon to 1,000 bushels.

Implementing a food-grade mineral oil suppression system can significantly improve dust control in grain handling and storage facilities. By reducing airborne dust, these systems enhance worker safety, decrease shrinkage, reduce housekeeping efforts, and offer a cost-effective solution compared to traditional methods. Regular maintenance and proper installation are key to maximizing the benefits of this innovative approach.

Resources

• National Grain and Feed Association (NGFA) Dust Suppression Techniques, standup4grainsafety.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/STS-Dust-Suppression-Techniques.pdf.