IRSST - Institut de recherche Robert-Sauvé en santé et en sécurité du travail

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December 26, 2024

Characterization and control of the silica dust emitted by the dry and wet polishing operation in the granite and other quartz-containing-materials processing sector

Abstract

In Quebec, more than 200 facilities process granite and other quartz-containing materials. The CSST, in collaboration with the IRSST, has published a good practice guide on exposure prevention which recommends work practices to improve air quality. However, these practices may be costly or insufficient to guarantee a healthy working environment in all circumstances, particularly during dry or wet polishing of very high-quartz materials. In this project, the researchers seek to understand dust generation and dispersion mechanisms with a view to proposing more effective remedial measures for these specific operations.

They will simulate dry and wet polishing operations in the laboratory and observe particle generation and dispersion mechanisms in granite and composite materials processing. Quartz dust emission, dispersion and granulometry will be characterized according to the rotation speed and tilt angle of the polishing disk, the silica content of the materials used and the quantity of water used in wet polishing.

The researchers will propose a model that can be used to compare dust reduction devices at the source during polishing. The model will be validated through experimental testing.

Insight into the phenomena involved will make it possible to adapt effective means for controlling dust emissions and minimizing exposure to quartz resulting from granite polishing. This may involve modifying the work method, using local ventilation adapted to polishing operations and using an optimal quantity of water.

The project findings may be adapted to other workers using high-speed rotating tools that produce other types of dust, as in construction or wood processing. In a future project, the researchers will seek to adapt the solutions identified in the laboratory and implement them the workplace.

Produced Under this Project

  • Dust emission during dry machining of aeronautic aluminum alloys

    Djebara A. , Jomaa W., Ali Bahloul, Songmene V.

    Source :

    in Proceedings of the 1st International Conference on aeronautics Sciences / ICAS, (1st: May 27-28, 2013 : Oran, Algeria), 2013, p. 40-47

  • Effects of machining conditions on specific surface of PM2.5 emitted during metal cutting

    Djebara A. , Songmene V., Ali Bahloul

    Source :

    Health, vol. 5, no 10A2, 2013, p. 36-43

  • Experimental investigation on PM2.5 particle emission during polishing of granite

    Kouam J., Songmene V., Ali Bahloul

    Source :

    Health, vol. 5, no 10A2, 2013, p. 29-35

  • Émission et dispersion de particules lors de l'usinage à sec d'alliages d'aluminium

    Djebara A. , Ali Bahloul, Songmene V.

    Source :

    in Proceedings of the 12th International Aluminum conference / INALCO 2013, (12th : October 21-23, 2013 : Montréal, Canada), 2013

  • Technique de dilution des concentrations de la poussière émise lors de la transformation des matériaux

    Djebara A. , Ali Bahloul, Songmene V.

    Source :

    in Bien s'outiller pour intervenir: se développer, se spécialiser, se renouveler : Congrès de l'Association québécoise pour l’hygiène, la santé et la sécurité du travail / AQHSST, (36e : 7-9 mai, 2014 : Beaupré, Canada), 2014

  • Dilution method to caracterize fine and ultrafine particle at high concentrations

    Djebara A. , Ali Bahloul, Songmene V.

    Source :

    in International Conference on Atmospheric Dust (1st, June 1-6, 2014, Castellaneta Marina, Italy), DUST 2014: International Conference on Atmospheric Dust : Book of Abstracts, Castellaneta Marina, Italy, Belviso, C., Fiore, S., Giannossi, M.L. (eds), Digilabs Pub., 2014, p. 116

  • Experimental investigation on fine particle emission during granite polishing process

    Saidi M. N., Songmene V., Kouam J., Ali Bahloul

    Source :

    (2015). International Journal of Advanced Manufacturing Technology, 81(9), 2109-2121. doi: 10.1007/s00170-015-7303-z

  • Simulation expérimentale de la dispersion de la poussière émise par le polissage du granite et évaluation de 3 concepts de réduction à la source

    Ali Bahloul, Djebara A., Kouam J., Songmene V.

    Source :

    Communication présentée à Ton expertise en prévention ... j'aime - Congrès de l'Association québécoise pour l’hygiène, la santé et la sécurité du travail, St-Sauveur, Canada.

  • Simulating grinding dust dispersion and assessment of the efficiency of local capture ventilation

    Ali Bahloul, Djebara A., Saidi M. N., Songmene V.

    Source :

    Proceedings of The 11th International Conference on Industrial Ventilation , Shanghai, China, 2015 [12 p.].

Additional Information

Type: Project
Number: 2010-0058
Status: Completed
Year of completion: 2019
Team:
  • Ali Bahloul (IRSST)
  • Victor Songmene (École de technologie supérieure)
  • Marcelo Reggio (Polytechnique Montréal)