In the second test, the tapered hopper was rigidly bolted to the 

 bin, and the sorbent bag was held half inside the hopper prior to slice- 

 opening the bag. Figure 36. There was no noticeable improvement in the 

 dust level. The manpower and time required were both similar to the first 

 test. 



For the third test, a vinyl-coated polyester thread fabric boot. 

 Figure 34, was fastened to the bin. During this test, the sorbent bag 

 was first sliced-open at the top while still resting on the floor, the 

 boot was pulled over it about half way, the drawstring was pulled 

 around the sorbent bag, and then two men lifted the sorbent bag and 

 turned it upside down into the boot. Figure 37. During this operation, the 

 drawstring was held tight against the sorbent bag to minimize dust 

 formation. When the sorbent bag was empty, it was slowly pulled out of 

 the boot, and the drawstring was pulled tight to close the boot opening. 

 Visual observations and motion picture records showed a very substantial 

 reduction in the dust level, when compared with the dust level observed in 

 the two earlier tests. 



These tests were designed simply to investigate and demonstrate 

 viable method (s) of reducing dust levels. The boot design was found to be 

 promising and it is felt that this concept should be explored further by 

 constructing the boot out of a more flexible material to improve handling. 



The pouring of one bag of sorbent material using the boot assembly 

 took two men approximately 50 seconds in 15-knot winds. The time was 

 measured from slice-opening the sorbent bag to removal of the empty bag 

 from the boot assembly. 



Comments and Observations 



Based upon tests, the following observations are made: 



1. The boot shown in Figure 37 but with a somewhat shorter length should 

 be investigated, so that the top of the boot is within the reach of 



the operator. 



2. More flexible boot materials should be investigated. 



3. If breathing masks and protective goggles are worn during the time 

 the sorbent system is in use, then the modification of the sorbent 

 problem may not be necessary. 



4. Larger size EKOPERL sorbent particles should be considered to minimize 

 the hazard to operators. Should this be considered, the mechanism of the 

 sorbent dispenser may have to be redesigned. 



34 



