Title: Evaluation of total particulate matter emission factors for copper slag in dry abrasive blasting

Authors: Kalpalatha Kambham, Sivaramakrishnan Sangameswaran, Sanjay Datar, Bhaskar Kura

Addresses: Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of New Orleans, 2000 Lakeshore Drive, New Orleans, LA 70148, USA. ' Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of New Orleans, 2000 Lakeshore Drive, New Orleans, LA 70148, USA. ' Eco-Systems, Inc., 6360, I-55 North, STE 330, Jackson, Mississippi 39211, USA. ' Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of New Orleans, 2000 Lakeshore Drive, New Orleans, LA 70148, USA

Abstract: Abrasive blasting was performed in enclosed conditions to evaluate the effect of blast pressure, feed rate and surface contamination on Total Particulate Matter (TPM) emission factors for copper slag. Stack sampling methods were used to collect uncontrolled TPM. Emission factors were calculated as grams of TPM emitted per pound of copper slag used (g/lb) and grams of TPM emitted per square foot of area cleaned (g/sq.ft). Emission factor models were developed to study variation of TPM emission factors with pressure, feed rate and surface contamination. These models can be used to reduce emissions by selecting optimum operating condition as well as to determine emission factors at any operating conditions, within the tested range, for copper slag.

Keywords: dry abrasive blasting; copper slag; PM emissions; particulate matter; emission factors; blast pressure; feed rate; surface contamination; environmental pollution.

DOI: 10.1504/IJEP.2009.026059

International Journal of Environment and Pollution, 2009 Vol.37 No.4, pp.422 - 436

Published online: 26 May 2009 *

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