Mon 10 Jun 2024
During ballast work on the railway, respirable fine dust is released, which can pose health risks to rail workers if inhaled over a long period. Therefore, in 2023, ProRail challenged the market to develop innovative solutions to reduce dust formation, and ENS Clean Air was selected!
We developed an extraction and capture system based on our filterless ionization technology, specifically for ballast dust, and tested it on a profiling machine from Strukton Rail. The goal was to reduce the exposure of rail workers to dust by at least 80%.
Following a feasibility study, a development and testing phase ensued, during which the solution was meticulously calculated and engineered, in close collaboration with the people from Strukton to ensure practical applicability. The profiling machine was modified at the Strukton Rail Technical Service site, and on-site trials were conducted to test the principle. The results were convincing; the test setup successfully captured a large portion of the emitted dust.
Measurements and observations revealed that ballast dust was very effectively captured. Airflow simulations demonstrated that exposure around the brush box can be significantly reduced by efficiently extracting dust from the brush box. Depending on wind conditions, exposure can be reduced by (more than) 80%.
We are incredibly proud and grateful to contribute to a significant step forward in improving healthy and safe working conditions! Many thanks to ProRail and Strukton Rail for the excellent collaboration and trust!
