It all depends on how much money you have, or the potential for same.

The big problem with coal and iron ore is pollution of the ground water from the stock pile and pile land slides if the angle of repose is compromised by excessive piling or unstructured piling by poorly designed stock piles.

The type of stacing and reclaim equipment do you have is also the biggest factor considering all factors in total simply because this is where all the fugitive dust starts and ends.

If your stock yard does not have a concrete floor

it adds addional problems relating to product quality and contamination of coal and iron ore let alone contaminating your neighbors ground water source no matter how deep it is, etc.

IF you could e-mail me the size and design of the stock piles, stacking and reclaim equipment etc.

I would be able to tell you more.

lzaharis@lightlink.com

Inside storage is always possible, the problem wirh coal is its inherent ability to spontaneosly combust- the easiest fix is spraying both the coal and iron ore to with a heavy mineral oil mixture to stop fugitive dust before it starts.

Spraying at both the delivery and draw points will stop any and all dust and reduce or eliminate the possibility of combustion of coal dust by static discharge etc.

Your coal stock pile is the big worry as the possibility of fire will always exist from either lightning or spontaneos combustion. The risk of smoldering burning of coal is always there as well. ■

One proven method of containment is to enclose the entire area with one of our air supported structures. We were involved in a similar project at a coal mine in the eastern part of the US and the only acceptable option was the air structure.

It is important to note that not all fabric structure products are equal in structural design. Our company specilizes in large clear span enclosures which are designed for the true enviromental conditions. We would be interested in discussing this option with you if you are interested. ■

Air Cure based in MN specializes in dust collection. Filter Systems, project integration, etc.

Projects include dust collection systems on car dumpers, coal yards, coal mining, fly ash and bulk handling applications.

Please let me know if you would like additional information.

www.aircure.com ■

219-921-9893 ■

Dear Sir,

We manufacture a product called Soil Sement that is environmentally safe and has many uses including the sealing of material stockpiles.

Soil Sement is diluted with water prior to application and sprayed to the surface. The water acts as a carrier to penetrate the surface. The water evaporates leaving the Soil Sement to cure and bind the surface dust particles for excellent dust and erosion control.

Soil Sement will have no adverse effects on subsequent handling operations and/or combustion.

Please view Soil Sement on our web - www.midwestind.com

Best regards

Barry Devo

International Business Manager

Project Technician

Midwest Industrial Supply, Inc.

Canton, Ohio USA

Tel (330) 456 3121

Fax (330) 456 3247 ■

We currently are building a project for a client with a similar problem.

Our client is constructing a 60,000 ton powder river basin coal storage dome. The dome 300' dia x 165' high contains a circular stacker reclaimer.

The project is to control the dust from PRBC.

Tom Hedrick, P.E.

Managing Engineer ■

This problem can easily be solved by spraying the stockpiles with Dust Stop (www.cypherltd.com) which will form a flexible film over your entire pile and prevent any dust or hazardous situation from occuring. Dust Stop is in use in mines and works very effectively.

Norm Burns

Ph: +204 489-1214

E-mail: aquarian@mts.net

Web Site: www.cypherltd.com ■

Hello,

storing coal in a silo could also be an option - especially in residential areas with high land values. Some of our company's customers have chosen this option to reduce dust emissions and save space.

David Sasko ■