Research Progress of Coal Stacks Reducing Dust Emissions: Ecological Technology in the Example of the Karaganda Region

Air pollution issues are relevant all over the world, especially in industrial areas. The main pollution of the atmosphere is caused by dust emissions from industry. This article discusses the issue of dust emission from the coal industry. The purpose of this research is a comprehensive analysis and environmental assessment of the impact of coal storage processes on the environment. The study was conducted on the example of a coal deposit in the Karaganda region of the Republic of Kazakhstan. The Karaganda region is the industrial base of Kazakhstan, and is characterized more by coal industry facilities. In addition to the impact during the mining period, coal storage is also a serious problem. The problem of storing energy coals on a large scale of their extraction and consumption has a huge impact on the environment, but it is of great economic importance for the region. In this paper, practical methods of combating weathering are considered using the example of coal: small fraction—0–50 mm; large fraction—50–300 mm; oversized—more than 300 mm. Calculations of the formation of emissions, the maximum surface concentrations of pollutants from coal depots were carried out, and plots of their dispersion were constructed. When plotting the dispersion of pollutants, it was revealed that the largest concentration of substances falls on the territory of the coal deposit. According to the data obtained, a directly proportional dependence of the amount of emissions on the volume of incoming coal and the area of the base of the coal stacks is obvious; the temperature fluctuation in the stacks during the research is in the range from 21.9 to 26.1 °C. Scientifically researched anti-emission cover (AEC) on coal stacks. AEC has advantages for a specific climate (frequent winds, dryness): preservation of properties up to 90% over their service life; resistant to environmental aggressiveness and mechanical influences. This method solves two tasks: the first task is to prevent spontaneous combustion of coal stacks, and the second task is to reduce dust emissions from coal stacks. Measures have been developed to minimize the negative impact of coal stacks on the environment.