Diffuse Dust Emissions – Comparison of Emission Calculation for Handling Operations according to VDI 3790 Part 3 with other Calculation Methods

Joint publication Axel Rühling, Lara Krempl and Katarina Henkenhaf (Müller-BBM Industry Solutions GmbH - Karlsruhe branch) and Michael Kortner (Müller-BBM Industry Solutions GmbH - Frankfurt branch) in issue 82 (2022) 9-10 of Gefahrstoffe - Reinhaltung der Luft, pages 247 to 251.

Abstract
The guideline VDI 3790 Part 3 provides an important basis for the calculation of diffuse dust emissions from handling operations. If one compares the results of this calculation method with other calculation approaches as well as with dust emissions determined by measurement techniques for the handling of mineral raw materials in quarries, one finds that the calculated diffuse dust emissions according to the method of VDI 3790 Part 3 turn out to be significantly higher than the calculations using other calculation approaches.

There are no measurement methods for determining the dust propensity and no validated data on the particle size distribution of emitted dusts directly at the source. It is therefore necessary to better adapt the input parameters of the calculation method to measured data in order to avoid excessive overestimation of emissions in the future. The Austrian Technical Basis for the Assessment of Diffuse Dust Emissions, whose calculation method has been validated on the basis of emission measurements, e.g. for mineral raw materials, could serve as an example here.

If you would like to contact the authors from Müller-BBM Industry Solutions GmbH, please send an e-mail to umwelt@mbbm.com.