Wet Dust Suppression: Difference between revisions

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=== Today ===
=== Today ===
Despite decades of dust control using water suppression, nearby [[Interviews and oral histories|residents continue to report]] that coal dust negatively impacts local air quality, outside and in their homes, leaves dust films on outdoor and indoor surfaces, harms quality of life, and requires residents and property owners to bear high air filtration costs.<ref name=":0" /> That said, it is commonly held that [[Particulate matter and coal dust|coal dust]] pollution in Southeast Newport News was worse before the water suppression sprinkler system was upgraded in the 1980s. Residents also describe seeing sprinklers that are frequently off.   
Despite decades of dust control using water suppression, nearby [[Interviews and oral histories|residents continue to report]] that coal dust negatively impacts local air quality, outside and in their homes, leaves dust films on outdoor and indoor surfaces, harms quality of life, and requires residents and property owners to bear high air filtration costs.<ref name=":0" /> That said, it is commonly held that [[Particulate matter and coal dust|coal dust]] pollution in Southeast Newport News was worse before the water suppression sprinkler system was upgraded in the 1980s. Residents also describe seeing sprinklers that are frequently off. There are also reports from residents that the sprinklers are not turned on until winds are very fast.<ref name=":2">[[:File:CPC Minutes 5.2.18.pdf|City Planning Commission Meeting Minutes]], City of Newport News, May 2, 2018.</ref>  


The [[Companies: railroads, terminals, and coal|Dominion Terminal]] now used 79 sprinklers, turned on about four times per day or more depending on the weather, as well as a water truck dispatched to locations not covered by the sprinklers.<ref name=":1">Lawlor, [https://www.dailypress.com/2011/07/16/coal-dust-piles-an-issue-for-southeast-newport-news/ Coal dust, piles an issue for southeast Newport News], ''Daily Press'', July 16, 2011, Updated: August 18, 2019.</ref> The [[Companies: railroads, terminals, and coal|Kinder Morgan Bulk Terminals]] use a system of 44 sprinklers to spray water that suppresses dust emissions from the piles and transloading equipment. In 2022, [[Companies: railroads, terminals, and coal|Kinder Morgan]] spokesperson Amy Baek claimed the [[Companies: railroads, terminals, and coal|Kinder Bulk Morgan Terminals]] used 20,000 gallons of water every hour to suppress dust emissions.<ref name=":0" />
The [[Companies: railroads, terminals, and coal|Dominion Terminal]] now used 79 sprinklers, turned on about four times per day or more depending on the weather, as well as a water truck dispatched to locations not covered by the sprinklers.<ref name=":1">Lawlor, [https://www.dailypress.com/2011/07/16/coal-dust-piles-an-issue-for-southeast-newport-news/ Coal dust, piles an issue for southeast Newport News], ''Daily Press'', July 16, 2011, Updated: August 18, 2019.</ref> The [[Companies: railroads, terminals, and coal|Kinder Morgan Bulk Terminals]] use a system of 44 sprinklers to spray water that suppresses dust emissions from the piles and transloading equipment. In 2022, [[Companies: railroads, terminals, and coal|Kinder Morgan]] spokesperson Amy Baek claimed the [[Companies: railroads, terminals, and coal|Kinder Bulk Morgan Terminals]] used 20,000 gallons of water every hour to suppress dust emissions.<ref name=":0" />


Water suppression is argued to be effective at fairly low cost.<ref>[[:File:RACM2.pdf|Ohio Office of Air Pollution Control, Reasonably Available Control Measures for Fugitive Dust Sources (Part 2)]], September 1980.</ref> The terminals in Southeast Newport News and Lambert's Point have fought against other dust mitigation methods, not because they do not work, but because of their associated price tag,<ref>[[:File:Notes on email correspondence between Richard Posner of Dust Solutions.pdf|Email Correspondence with Richard Posner, President of Dust Solutions Inc.]], 2023.</ref> even though [[Wind Fences, Domes, and Tree Barriers#Wind Fences|costs are small as a fraction of the terminals' annual revenue]].<ref>Repair Lab, [[:File:Wind Fences and Domes Report Repair Lab 2024 (corrected).pdf|Coal Dust in Southeast Newport News Is a Nuisance and There Are Solutions (Corrected)]], August 2024.</ref>
Water suppression is argued to be effective at fairly low cost.<ref>[[:File:RACM2.pdf|Ohio Office of Air Pollution Control, Reasonably Available Control Measures for Fugitive Dust Sources (Part 2)]], September 1980.</ref> The terminals in Southeast Newport News and Lambert's Point have fought against other dust mitigation methods, not because they do not work, but because of their associated price tag,<ref>[[:File:Notes on email correspondence between Richard Posner of Dust Solutions.pdf|Email Correspondence with Richard Posner, President of Dust Solutions Inc.]], 2023.</ref><ref name=":2" /> even though [[Wind Fences, Domes, and Tree Barriers#Wind Fences|costs are small as a fraction of the terminals' annual revenue]].<ref>Repair Lab, [[:File:Wind Fences and Domes Report Repair Lab 2024 (corrected).pdf|Coal Dust in Southeast Newport News Is a Nuisance and There Are Solutions (Corrected)]], August 2024.</ref>


== Chemical Coatings ==
== Chemical Coatings ==
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* [[:File:RACM3.pdf|Ohio Office of Air Pollution Control, Reasonably Available Control Measures for Fugitive Dust Sources (Part 3), September 1980]]
* [[:File:RACM3.pdf|Ohio Office of Air Pollution Control, Reasonably Available Control Measures for Fugitive Dust Sources (Part 3), September 1980]]
* [[:File:RACM4.pdf|Ohio Office of Air Pollution Control, Reasonably Available Control Measures for Fugitive Dust Sources (Part 4), September 1980]]
* [[:File:RACM4.pdf|Ohio Office of Air Pollution Control, Reasonably Available Control Measures for Fugitive Dust Sources (Part 4), September 1980]]
* [[:File:CPC Minutes 5.2.18.pdf|City Planning Commission Meeting Minutes, City of Newport News, May 2, 2018]]
* [[:File:Notes on email correspondence between Richard Posner of Dust Solutions.pdf|Email Correspondence between Richard Posner of Dust Solutions, Inc. and Repair Lab Team Member, 2023]]
* [[:File:Notes on email correspondence between Richard Posner of Dust Solutions.pdf|Email Correspondence between Richard Posner of Dust Solutions, Inc. and Repair Lab Team Member, 2023]]
* [[:File:Wind Fences and Domes Report Repair Lab 2024 (corrected).pdf|Repair Lab, Coal Dust in Southeast Newport News is a Nuisance and There Are Solution (Corrected), August 2024]]
* [[:File:Wind Fences and Domes Report Repair Lab 2024 (corrected).pdf|Repair Lab, Coal Dust in Southeast Newport News is a Nuisance and There Are Solution (Corrected), August 2024]]


== References ==
== References ==

Revision as of 15:02, 26 June 2025

Water Suppression

Dominion Terminal Water Application
While the sprinklers are not on at the moment of the photograph, large amounts of standing water are visible at the Dominion Terminal.

Coal dust emissions in Southeast Newport News and Lambert's Point are primarily managed using wet suppression methods that consist of spraying water, or water with chemical additives, over coal storage piles, railcars, and/or transloading equipment using a system of sprinklers and water trucks. Water application is often adjusted based on terminal activity and ambient humidity conditions.

History in Hampton Roads

Water suppression is mentioned in the record as early as the 1920s, when the Chesapeake and Ohio (C&O) Railroad Company installed a custom pipe system to spray water on coal-filled railcars where and when the cars were emptied through overturning.[1] Following an air monitoring study in 1956 demonstrating coal was a major portion of airborne dust in Southeast Newport News and pressure from the Newport News City Council, C&O installed equipment to create a water fog over the coal piers to suppress dust.[2]

Following community pressure on politicians and complaints to Virginia Air Pollution Control Board and additional research in the 1980s, water suppression infrastructure was expanded in Southeast Newport News and Lambert's Point, Norfolk.[3] According to the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (VA DEQ), the new water suppression system at the terminals in Southeast Newport News reduced coal dust emissions by 80%.[4]

Today

Despite decades of dust control using water suppression, nearby residents continue to report that coal dust negatively impacts local air quality, outside and in their homes, leaves dust films on outdoor and indoor surfaces, harms quality of life, and requires residents and property owners to bear high air filtration costs.[3] That said, it is commonly held that coal dust pollution in Southeast Newport News was worse before the water suppression sprinkler system was upgraded in the 1980s. Residents also describe seeing sprinklers that are frequently off. There are also reports from residents that the sprinklers are not turned on until winds are very fast.[5]

The Dominion Terminal now used 79 sprinklers, turned on about four times per day or more depending on the weather, as well as a water truck dispatched to locations not covered by the sprinklers.[6] The Kinder Morgan Bulk Terminals use a system of 44 sprinklers to spray water that suppresses dust emissions from the piles and transloading equipment. In 2022, Kinder Morgan spokesperson Amy Baek claimed the Kinder Bulk Morgan Terminals used 20,000 gallons of water every hour to suppress dust emissions.[3]

Water suppression is argued to be effective at fairly low cost.[7] The terminals in Southeast Newport News and Lambert's Point have fought against other dust mitigation methods, not because they do not work, but because of their associated price tag,[8][5] even though costs are small as a fraction of the terminals' annual revenue.[9]

Chemical Coatings

Many private companies offer chemical sprays that coat the coal, with a sealant that prevents fugitive dust emissions.[10] This does not work on storage piles that must be moved frequently.[6] According to a representative from Norfolk Southern, most coal-carrying rail cars are sprayed with chemicals when they leave the coal mines, minimizing the dust emissions en route to terminals.[11]

Documents

References

  1. ↑ Railroads of Port Adopt Coal Sprinkle: Growing demand for Sprinkled Coal Said to Be Made by Trans-Shippers, Daily Press, November 23, 1927.
  2. ↑ C&O to Install Costly Equipment for Control of Air Pollution in NN, Daily Press, December 12, 1956.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Vogelsong, Virginia Will Begin Monitoring Air Pollution around Hampton Roads Coal Terminals: Residents of Newport News’ East End Say There’s Been Too Many Studies and Too Little Action, Virginia Mercury, April 19, 2022.
  4. ↑ Seeking VA DEQ reference.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 City Planning Commission Meeting Minutes, City of Newport News, May 2, 2018.
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 Lawlor, Coal dust, piles an issue for southeast Newport News, Daily Press, July 16, 2011, Updated: August 18, 2019.
  7. ↑ Ohio Office of Air Pollution Control, Reasonably Available Control Measures for Fugitive Dust Sources (Part 2), September 1980.
  8. ↑ Email Correspondence with Richard Posner, President of Dust Solutions Inc., 2023.
  9. ↑ Repair Lab, Coal Dust in Southeast Newport News Is a Nuisance and There Are Solutions (Corrected), August 2024.
  10. ↑ Dust Solutions Inc., Rail Loading & Unloading, August, 7 2023.
  11. ↑ Lawlor, Newport News, Coal Terminals Looking Into Wind Fence, Daily Press, August 1, 2011.
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