Background

Qube Ports is a major integrated port solutions provider in Australia with bulk and general handling facilities across more than 40 ports in Australian, New Zealand and South-East Asian. With large volumes of bulk material moving through its facilities, effective dust management is critical to protecting people, assets, and surrounding environments.

Problem

In 2014 at Qube Ports’ Kwinana facility, clinker was unloaded from vessels using a 20-tonne grab into two existing wharf hoppers. This unloading method generated significant volumes of airborne dust.

As material was released into the hoppers, displaced air escaped rapidly, carrying fine dust particles into the surrounding area. The result was widespread dust contamination across the wharf and neighbouring properties, creating environmental concerns and increasing the risk of exposure for personnel working nearby.

Solution

To control dust at transfer points, Mideco designed and supplied a system combining Burnley® Baffles with a dedicated Economy Filter (ECP) dust collection unit.

In bulk unloading applications, dust is primarily released when air is displaced from the hopper as material is dropped in. The Burnley Baffles were installed to fully enclose the top of each hopper. This enclosure captures and contains the majority of displaced air, preventing dust from becoming airborne at the point of unloading. The captured air is then directed to the ECP, where dust is extracted and filtered before clean air is safely returned to the environment.

Here are the model and other resources for the dust control:

  • Burnley Baffles galvanized support frames
  • Model 2 Burnley Baffles
  • Mideco Model ECP 48

Dust Collectors are complete with:

  • Filter support frame
  • Trough hopper with integral screw conveyor
  • High level probe
  • 4kW rotary screw compressor

Outcome

The combined Burnley Baffles and ECP system delivered a significant reduction in fugitive dust during vessel unloading operations.

Each hopper fitted with Burnley Baffles operated at a total airflow of 15,500 m³/h, effectively managing displaced air during material discharge. The filtration system achieved an efficiency of 99.9%+ for particles ≥ 0.5 µm, capturing fine dust that would otherwise contaminate the wharf and surrounding areas.

By controlling dust at the transfer point, Qube Ports was able to improve environmental conditions, protect workers, and reduce dust migration beyond the site boundary without impacting unloading efficiency.