Dust suppression system for railroad track ballast cleaning apparatus

摘要

A dust suppression system is particularly designed for the control of dust generated by a self-propelled, on-site, shoulder ballast cleaning machine. The shoulder ballast cleaning machine scoops up the stone ballast of a railroad track bed, separates the ballast from dirt and debris, and replaces the ballast along the shoulder of the track bed. The dust suppression system includes a main pressure line extending along the length of the shoulder ballast cleaning machine, and a plurality of branch lines connecting the main line to spray assemblies positioned on the shoulder ballast cleaning machine at areas of primary dust generation. The various assemblies provide a liquid spray pattern to moisten the air borne dust and debris, neutralizing the static electricity charge of the dust and debris, and/or increasing the particulate weight, and causing the dust and debris to rapidly settle. Each branch distribution line includes a filter, a globe valve for adjusting the flow of water to each individual spray assembly, and a remotely actuated solenoid for selectively connecting and disconnecting the branch line to the main line.