The following protocol discusses the application of Cypher Environmental Ltd.’s dust control product referred to as “Dust Stop”. While Dust Stop is used mainly as a dust control product on roads, it is also very successful at controlling the dust and erosion of many other surfaces in a variety of alternate applications. This document however will be concerned mainly with the application of Dust Stop on unpaved roads and will take you through a step-by-step process regarding the proper application of Dust Stop in road based applications.
Since applying Dust Stop in road-based situations calls for topical applications, this protocol will discuss the application of the product to the road via a water truck. To apply Dust Stop topically all that is required is a water truck, however the water truck needs to be equipped with an agitator or re-circulating pump (for more information on pumps please scroll to the bottom of this document) to help thoroughly blend the product and water. Please see below for instructions on how to apply Dust Stop for dust control of unsealed secondary roads.
The typical dilution rate of the product is 1 lb. Dust Stop per 3 (US) gallons of water for a topical application and the typical application rate of Dust Stop should be 1 lb. of product per 6 square meters of treatment/surface area. Therefore 1 (US)gallon of diluted product treats 2 meters squared of treatment/surface area. However you may have to alter this to suit your soil type, application equipment or other variables. When applying Dust Stop in a topical application please follow the steps outlined below:
1) The first step is to calculate the area that will be covered by the Dust Stop application. To do so you will need to measure the length and the width of the road. Multiply the length by the width of the road to find out the total area that will be treated.
2)Using the example above we can now calculate how much Dust Stop is required. For an application of 6000 square meters, use the typical application rates described above to calculate the amount of product required. The amount of product required is the entire surface area to be treated divided by the typical application rate (1 lb. Dust Stop per 6 square meters) of the product. Remember that the product is applied topically with water and that 1 gallon of water is used every 2 square meters. Therefore if calculating the treatment area in square meters, the amount of gallons of water required to apply Dust Stop would be the total treatment/surface area divided by 2, and the amount of Dust Stop required would be the total treatment/surface area divided by 6.
3) Using the figures above and considering the volume of water that your water tank can hold, calculate the least number of fills of the water tank that will be required to disperse the product as discussed above (1 gallon of diluted product per 6 square meters). We will continue with the example we have previously been working with and will now state that the water tank we are using can hold up to 4000 gallons.
4) Always fill the water tank with water prior to the addition of the Dust Stop. The water truck should not be filled directly to the top to make sure there is sufficient room for the product to be mixed in and because some foaming can occur during the mixing process. Turn on the agitator or re-circulating pump and begin mixing the product and water directly in the water tank. Mix the Dust Stop and water as per the figures discussed above (1 lb. Dust Stop per 3 gallons of water). Leave the agitator or re-circulating pump on the entire time you are mixing the product. If possible also leave the agitator or re-circulating pump on while applying the product. Once all the product has been mixed with the water in the water tank it is ready to be applied immediately (but should be allowed to mix for at least 5 minutes or as much time as required). For the example discussed above use the following figures:
5) Let the Dust Stop and water mixture mix in the water tank for at least 5 minutes before applying. All the product in the tank needs to be dispersed onto the pre-measured treatment area until the water tank has emptied its entire load. The amount of passes this will encompass will vary slightly depending on the water tank used. Start making passes with the water truck in the center of the road. Work from the center of the road outwards on both sides until the entire surface area has been treated. Continue making passes on the pre-determined area until the water tank has discharged its entire load. Although the edges and the shoulders of the road should be treated as well, the center of the road should be thoroughly covered because it will experience higher volumes of traffic. Remember to keep the re-circulating pump or agitator on during the entire application if possible to get a better-mixed product.
6) For topical applications traffic should remain off the road for a short period of time after the product’s application. The length of time will depend on the weather and soil conditions. Traffic can drive on the road immediately after/during applications but it is not recommended because if the product is still wet small amounts can stick to the tires. A good estimate is to let the product dry on the road for approximately one hour (give or take) before opening to traffic. If possible a good technique is to do one lane at a time so traffic does not need to be stopped.
*The application rate discussed above has been a popular rate in the past. However The application rate that will be applicable for you can be highly dependant on your soil type. For instance a well packed, high fine content road can sometimes require less Dust Stop than a more granular, porous road. Please contact your local representative for suggestions on what rate would be best applicable for your requirements.
** 1 US gallon = 3.7854 liters
Additional Pump Information
The pump below is an example of one that can be used. A 3-inch pump inlet is desired, as it will move sufficient volumes of mixture to speed up the process of mixing at the application site. This pump can be fixed and mounted to a fabricated pedestal at or near the tank dump or discharge outlet, and then a discharge hose can be affixed to the pump discharge to the plumbed filler pipe or into the gravity feed opening at the top of the tank. Example of recommended pump:
Solids Pump
Tank Capacity - 4 Quarts
Impeller Cast Iron
Maximum head 100 Feet
Maximum Diameter Solids 3/4 Inch
NPT Port 3 Inches
Volute/Wear Plate Cast Iron
Roll Bar Frame Steel
Mechanical Seal Buna/Stainless Steel
Casing Adapter Aluminum
Driver Briggs and Stratton Intek 8 HP Engine (or equal)
Flow @ 10 Feet of Head 18000 GPH, @ 20 Feet of Head 16740 GPH, @ 40 Feet of Head 14220 GPH, @ 60 Feet of Head 10,980 GPH
Length 27 1/4 Inches, Height 23 Inches, Width 21 1/4 Inches
The pump information shown above serves merely as an example. Any similar locally available equipment is also acceptable.
