Concrush: Understanding fugitive dust production and potential emission at a recycled concrete manufacturing facility

The production and emission of fugitive dust is a topic of concern that Concrush brought to the MISG, 2020. Concrush is recycled concrete manufacturing company in the Hunter region of New South Wales. Concrush’s operations produce fugitive dust, fine particles that can escape the site. Fugitive dust can travel long distances from the site of emission, and can have negative health impacts including respiratory illnesses. Presently, concrete recycling facilities are managed by the Environmental Protection Agency using guidelines initially developed for the coal industry. Concrush seeks to understand the appropriateness of these guidelines, and how they can reduce and manage fugitive dust on their Teralba site. Mathematical modelling of dust emission and transport, together with a review of similar processes in the literature, identified a number of practical options for Concrush to reduce their dust emissions. In addition, opportunities for improved data collection are identified.