The Benefits of an Industrial Dust Collector
Dust collection systems remove pollutants, fumes, dust and other harmful matter from air in industrial workspaces. The design and engineering of these systems vary by industry, but all work to extract and purify the air that enters the system.
Pharmaceutical facilities, metalworking/woodworking and powder coating operations produce airborne dust that requires a commercial dust collector to reduce health hazards. Each operation’s specific demands will influence the size, type and extra equipment that is needed for the facility.
The Blower or Fan
Industrial dust collection systems are now commonplace in a variety of industries. They are a necessity in woodworking and plasma cutter applications, but also in chemical processing, manufacturing, metal fabrication and more. They are designed to filter harmful gases and dust particulate that can be deposited in the workplace, which can create health risks for employees. Manufacturers keep a close watch on government standards and design systems that expertly adhere to the regulations.
A dust collector system’s blower is a critical component that creates airflow through the ductwork to the interior of the unit, forcing the air through a filtration mechanism and separating the contaminants from clean air. Dust collector blowers are available in a wide range of sizes and styles, depending on the application. They may use centrifugal or axial designs.
There are other important components of a dust collector system, including dampers, silencers, ducting and capture hoods that must be “matched” to ensure maximum efficiency. These components must work together to provide effective, efficient operation and compliance with all applicable governmental safety regulations.
For example, combustible dusts must be handled with NFPA and ATEX explosion protection to prevent fires and prevent hazardous incidents. For the best performance, PCS consults with each customer to determine the appropriate combustible dust handling solution for their specific process and facility requirements.
The Ductwork
Many industrial processes generate dust, smoke, and other particulate contamination that can make the air dangerous to breathe. These particles can also damage equipment and cause health problems in the industrial dust collector long term. To help prevent these contaminants, many facilities turn to industrial dust collection systems to filter air and keep it clean for workers and machinery alike.
Industrial dust collectors consist of ductwork that forces air through a filter to collect harmful particulate matter and return clean air to circulation. These systems are often used in manufacturing settings such as woodworking, food processing, and pharmaceuticals, and metal fabrication facilities. They are also common in mining, cement and rock product processing, chemical production, and thermal processing applications where particle size is critical to maximizing efficiency and profitability.
Ductwork is a key factor in determining how effective a system will be. Industrial ductwork must be properly sized to ensure air flows and pressures are adequate. A proper design is essential to maintain high performance and prevent problems like excessive wear and tear, dropout, and airborne pollutants.
The type of filtration is another important consideration for an industrial dust collection system. Several types of dust collectors are available, including cartridge, baghouse, downdraft, and environmental control booths. Choosing the right solution depends on tool size, air requirements, number of tools, and the types of materials being processed. It’s best to speak with an expert who understands the specific needs of your industry.
The Filter
For an industrial dust collector to work well, it must filter out and purify hazardous and harmful particles and fumes from the air that are produced during production processes. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration and the National Institute of Occupational Health and Safety set standards for how much dust or contaminants can be present in a cubic foot of air, and violations will result in fines and closure of a business.
Most dust collection systems rely on a blower to draw in the air, filter out the particulates and return cleaned air back into circulation. They may have one of several different types of filters, depending on the specific needs of the business. The most common type of system is a baghouse, which uses a fan to create a vacuum that forces air through the filter and out the other side. There are two different ways of clearing a baghouse filter: shake and pulse jet.
Cartridge, cyclone separator and wet dust collection systems are also available to help businesses with more particular filtration needs. For example, a cyclone separator system uses centrifugal force to separate heavier particles from the air and sends them down the sides of the chamber into a collection hopper. We carry a wide range of Donaldson Torit dust collection systems and a PCS sales member or engineer can help you narrow down your options to get the optimal unit for your business.
The Cleaner
In industrial operations that create small particles or smoke, dust collectors remove harmful particulate from the air and recirculate clean, safe air throughout a facility. This allows facilities to meet local and national OSHA and NFPA regulations, improve employee health, increase productivity and reduce the amount of money spent on equipment maintenance and repair.
Regardless of industry, there are several types of industrial dust collection systems that are designed to suit specific processes. These include baghouses, cartridge filters and electrostatic precipitators. Each of these systems industrial dust collector has its own unique set of features and applications.
For example, a baghouse uses long, cylindrical bags made of fabric to filter dirty air. It can handle high temperatures, moisture content and heavy dust loads. It also includes a pressure differential switch, which monitors the status of the filters and activates a cleaning system when necessary. Cartridge filters offer smaller packages and more options, such as a variety of filtration media and a variety of designs for various industry applications. They can be used in conjunction with a pressure differential switch and an automatic self-cleaning receptacle.
Regardless of industry, an industrial dust collection system is an essential piece of equipment for any production environment. A well-designed dust collection system will include the blower, ductwork and filter system to efficiently and effectively clean and circulate clean air throughout a manufacturing or production environment.