Management of sugar dust in the sugar industry

Kingsley O Iwuozor; Toluwalase Ojeyemi; Ebuka Chizitere Emenike; Chisom T Umeh; Abel Egbemhenghe; Bridget Dunoi Ayoku; Tolu I Ogunsanya; Samuel Ogunniyi; Joshua O Ighalo; Adewale George Adeniyi

doi:10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e23158

Management of sugar dust in the sugar industry

Heliyon. 2023 Dec 5;10(1):e23158. doi: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e23158. eCollection 2024 Jan 15.

Authors

Kingsley O Iwuozor^{1

2}, Toluwalase Ojeyemi^{3

4}, Ebuka Chizitere Emenike², Chisom T Umeh², Abel Egbemhenghe^{5

6}, Bridget Dunoi Ayoku⁷, Tolu I Ogunsanya⁸, Samuel Ogunniyi⁹, Joshua O Ighalo^{10

11}, Adewale George Adeniyi^{9

12}

Affiliations

¹ Nigeria Sugar Institute, Ilorin, Nigeria.
² Department of Pure and Industrial Chemistry, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, P. M. B. 5025, Awka, Nigeria.
³ Department of Environmental Toxicology, Texas Tech University, USA.
⁴ Department of Crop Protection and Environmental Biology, University of Ibadan, Nigeria.
⁵ Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, College of Art and Science, Texas Tech University, USA.
⁶ Department of Chemistry, Lagos State University, Ojo, Lagos, Nigeria.
⁷ Department of Pure and Industrial Chemistry, University of Port Harcourt, Rivers state, Nigeria.
⁸ Department of Chemistry, University of Lagos, Lagos state, Nigeria.
⁹ Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Ilorin, P. M. B. 1515, Ilorin, Nigeria.
¹⁰ Department of Chemical Engineering, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, P. M. B. 5025, Awka, Nigeria.
¹¹ Department of Chemical Engineering, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS, USA.
¹² Chemical Engineering Department, Landmark University, Omu-Aran, Nigeria.

Abstract

Sugar dust poses significant risks in the sugar industry, threatening workers' safety and health as well as the potential for explosions and fires. The combustibility of sugar dust arises from its small, lightweight particles that disperse easily and ignite readily. Effective management strategies are essential to ensuring a safe work environment and preventing accidents. This perspective article provides an overview of sugar dust management in the global sugar industry. Various methods are employed to collect and manage sugar dust, including dust collectors, air handling systems, and proper housekeeping procedures. Advancements like electrostatic precipitators, high-efficiency particulate air filters, and self-cleaning dust collection systems show promise for future management. Utilizing both artificial intelligence and nanotechnology can also contribute to minimizing the concentrations of sugar dust in facilities. Stringent regulations and guidelines exist to control dust explosions in the industry. Implementation of robust safety measures and training programs significantly curbs the economic and environmental toll of sugar dust explosions. The paper concludes with recommendations to address sugar dust challenges, including enhanced regulation, investment in technology and research, and improved collaboration among industry stakeholders. These measures will mitigate hazards, ensure worker well-being, and safeguard the sugar industry's operations.

Keywords: Dust monitoring; Industrial dust; Nanotechnology; Sugar industry safety; Ventilation systems.