Dust containment system for bottom dumping railroad cars

Abstract

Fugitive dust generated by a bottom dumping railroad hopper car is captured by a dust containment system. The dust containment system includes an open railroad track segment for supporting the car above a hopper pit defined by enclosed end walls, an interconnecting rear sidewall and a partially open front side. A building structure encloses the track segment and hopper pit and includes roof mounted ventilators for emitting fresh air to the interior thereof. A backhoe device is positioned above the car to assist in discharging material. Air passageways are formed on opposite sides of the track segment with motorized dampers positioned therein. Dust collector units are positioned adjacent to the front side of the hopper pit. The fans of the dust collectors induce a draft from the roof ventilators downwardly along the sides of the rail car, through the air passageways to the hopper pit. The downwardly flowing fresh air provides a clean work environment for the backhoe operator as well as for the personnel opening and closing the gates of the hopper car. Fugitive dust is prevented from moving upwardly out of the hopper pit by virtue of the downwardly flowing, high velocity air stream. Fugitive dust is entrained in the air stream and captured by the dust collectors. A second building structure encloses an area around the open front side of the hopper pit to contain the dust generated during unloading operations.