How to Choose an Industrial Dust Extraction System
When industrial dust builds up, it can create a health hazard for workers. To avoid liability issues and improve working conditions, facilities managers need an adequate industrial dust extraction system.
Many different types of dust filter systems exist to meet specific needs. Some are ideal for woodworking or paint sanding, others are well suited for thermal spray, while others work best for metal fabrication.
Inertial separators
Inertial separators are one of the most common methods for dust extraction in industrial settings. These systems process dust that has escaped from machines and other devices to eliminate hazardous particles. This subsequently allows for clean air to be released into the facility’s workspace. This enables facility managers to meet Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulations and protect employees from harmful particulates in the workplace.
The inertial separator uses impact forces to separate dust particles from the air. These machines are generally configured as cylindrical containers that use stationary air spinners to impart rotation to the incoming air. This causes the centrifugal force to separate dirt particles from the air stream, allowing them to fall to the bottom of the container and be discharged. The cyclone design is also well suited for coarse materials and can be used as a pre-separator in filtration applications to extend the life of secondary or final filters.
Another type of inertial separator is a rod-grid separator, which uses a grid of impact rods to disrupt the velocity of dust particles. These devices can be used in conjunction with a dust collector, or they can be installed directly at the point of evaporation. These inertial separators are particularly useful for separating coarse material and sparks from a gas turbine air stream, reducing the risk of an ignition that could result in a filter fire.
These devices also provide effective precleaning in applications with industrial dust extraction system heavy dust concentrations, reducing the load on primary or secondary filters. This can prolong the lifetime of those filters and reduce operating costs by extending the time between filter changes.
The IPS can prevent sand from ingestion into gas turbines, although the effectiveness of these devices is influenced by certain geometric parameters. This is especially true when utilizing the Arizona test dust, which is more prone to particle ingestion than AFRL-03 or C-spec dusts.
These systems are generally configured with a baghouse, which is made up of a fabric filter that is capable of capturing up to 99% of fine dust particles. As the dirty air moves through the filter, it is separated from the dirt particles by the inertial effects that cause them to bounce against the bag’s inner walls. The baghouse is a cost-effective way to extract fine dust from a machine, as it requires very little maintenance. In addition, these units are highly versatile and can be installed either in the actual workspace or at a central location to relieve the pressure on secondary or final filters. In both cases, this can help lower the operating cost of an industrial dust extraction system and improve employee comfort.
Cartridge-style collectors
Cartridge-style collectors use a series of filter cartridges to reduce dust particles in an industrial air pollution control system. This type of collection system works well for many applications requiring high airflow, but is not ideal for use with oily or sticky particulates that tend to clog filters and cause the entire system to fail.
When deciding what kind of industrial dust extraction system is best for an application, facility owners must consider a number of factors including how coarse or fine the particulates are, whether they’re wet or dry, and where they will be generated. They must also take into account how much space they have available for the collector, and if the system will be located indoors or outdoors. The filtration system must be designed to accommodate the specific application, and it should be capable of capturing the particulates without negatively impacting production.
One of the primary reasons for implementing an industrial air pollution control system is to create a safer working environment for employees. Not only does this increase productivity, but it can also improve employee retention and help companies meet regulatory requirements. Having the right dust and fume extraction equipment will also help to protect the environment, which is a top priority for all responsible manufacturers.
There are numerous types of dust and fume extraction systems on the market, but cartridge-style systems are a popular option because they provide a high level of air quality in a minimal footprint. They also feature a variety of benefits, such as reduced dust re-entrainment and lower operating costs than baghouses.
The dust and particulate-laden air enters the filter system via an inlet, and the clean air exits through an outlet. The filter is kept clean through a continuous cycle of pulse-jet cleaning, which involves blasts of compressed air that eject the accumulated dust from the surface of the filter. Depending on the application, custom industrial dust extraction system some of the filtered air can be reused within the facility, while the rest may be vented to the outside atmosphere.
Cartridge collectors are typically used for applications requiring light to moderate temperatures and low-to-moderate dust loadingsuch as powder coating, metalworking, bulk material handling, sanding, laser/plasma cutting, blasting, pharmaceutical manufacturing, welding, and certain woodworking processes. They also work well in operations that produce a high level of overspray, such as thermal spray coating (which applies heated material to metal surfaces).
In addition to providing high-performance filtration, cartridge-style collectors offer a range of other features that enhance the overall user experience. For example, some have an easy-release filter door that allows workers to remove and replace the dirty filters with minimal effort. Some models also include an on-demand pressure switch for automated filter cleaning, which saves time and money by allowing workers to perform other tasks while the system is in operation.
