New WLP 718 mobile dust suppression units have been put into operation by Murmansk Commercial Seaport (MMTP). They will be deployed immediately the port is subjected to adverse meteorological conditions, the company stressed.
The WLP 718 units, which were built in Italy by WLP, can be used even in extremely low temperatures thanks to the fitting of an additional “winter package” element within the equipment. Similar modules have also been fitted to four earlier units delivered by WLP’s authorised dealer EIM Engineering, which became operational in the summer of 2015.
The units can generate either water or snow mist over an area of 24,000 square metres. Their theoretical disperal range is in the region of 80 metres to 90 metres, while they have a range of rotation of 340°. Dust emissions should be cut by at least half when the units are deployed.
Furthermore, according to specifications, a water or a snow curtain should efficiently suppress dust at temperatures ranging between ‒30°C and +30°C.
To move the units to where they are needed in the port, Murmansk Commercial Seaport has acquired two special trailers, with a gang of five employees trained up to use the equipment.
MMTP, which was set up in 1994, is responsible for operations at 17 berths, encompassing 3,000 metres of overall berthing line. Deep draft enables vessels of up to 265 metres and drawing 15.5 metres of water to be accommodated.
In 2015, MMTP, reported traffic of 14.6 million tonnes, of which 13.6 million tonnes was coal. This was shipped by 291 vessels and brought into the port by 206,207 wagons.