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7
Site Context and Dust Challenge
Fugitive coal dust emissions from open stockpiles at the two major coal terminals in Newport News,
Virginia—Dominion Terminal Associates (DTA) and Kinder Morgan Bulk Terminals (Piers IX & X)—
are subject to wind-driven particle entrainment from uncovered stockpiles. These facilities, located along
the James River waterfront, receive and export large volumes of primarily bituminous coal via rail and
ship. Fugitive dust emissions from open bulk material storage are broadly recognized as a potential
source of air quality and nuisance concern for fenceline communities, and responsible terminal
management increasingly requires quantified assessment of dust transport and mitigation effectiveness.
Dust generation occurs mainly through wind erosion during storage, stacking, and reclaiming, with fine
with average speeds of 10–15 mph and higher gusts, peaking in winter/spring months).
Site Conditions and Geometry
The terminals occupy an industrial waterfront zone with relatively flat, low-lying topography. DTA spans
about 67 acres of open ground storage, divided into multiple (typically four) areas with a total capacity of
up to 1.7 million tons. Stockpiles are typically long windrow or conical piles, reaching heights of 70–90 ft
(lidar-confirmed; typical operating range 30–50 ft, with peaks to 90 ft) formed and reclaimed using
stacker/reclaimers with 200-foot booms at rates up to 5,900 tons/hour (stacking) and 6,800 tons/hour
(reclaiming). Fences of 80–
–1.5× max pile height) were selected to deflect flow over pile crests
(see p10). Kinder Morgan's adjacent Piers IX & X feature similar large open stockpiles for bulk coal
handling, contributing to concentrated storage near residential zones across Interstate 664 and Terminal
Avenue. Sensitive receptors lie several hundred meters to the west/southwest, vulnerable to dust plumes
under dominant winds.
Coal Properties Relevant to Dust Generation
The handled coal is predominantly bituminous (metallurgical and thermal grades), with bulk density
ranging from 673–913 kg/m³ (42–57 lb/ft³), varying by particle size, moisture, and compaction. Lower
densities in loosely piled or dry coal increase erosion susceptibility under wind shear, while fine fractions
heighten transport and health risks.
This CFD study incorporates these site-specific elements—realistic terminal geometry, local wind
conditions, and coal bulk properties—to simulate baseline fugitive dust dispersion and assess a proposed
wind fence. The fence is designed to reduce near-surface wind speeds, create sheltered recirculation
zones, suppress particle entrainment, and limit downwind transport toward the local communities,
providing quantitative data on potential dust transport downwind.
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