Control of noise and dust pollution from maize milling machines

This study emanated from the general complaints and observations among people staying nears maize flour milling plants about the annoyance of flour dust noise produced by maize mailing machines. The main objective of the study was to develop dust and noise systems for small and medium maize mailing plants. Methodologies used in achieving the objective of the study were physical assessment and gathering views of machine operators and neighboring population on noise and dust pollution from maize milling plants, measurement of flour dust and noise levels in selected maize flour mills, and redesigning, manufacturing installation and performance evaluation of a cyclone collector and noise abatement system. The flour dust concentration was reduced by 96% which corresponded to increased flour collection efficiency of 92% from the initial 78%. Furthermore, installation of vibration damping material to the milling machine base substantially reduced noise level by 16 dBA inside the selected maize SME. It is concluded from this study that flour dust concentration and noise level in most maize milling plants were substantially higher than the recommended occupational standard levels, which affected plant workers and the neighbouring population in various ways.