When you think of industrial ventilation systems, you might picture fans and louvers to control air movement and expel hot, humid air. However, what happens when contaminants in your air need to be captured and contained before air is exhausted or recirculated? Dust collection systems are an essential part of your ventilation system. These devices help remove harmful contaminants like dust and fumes from the air. In this article, we’ll explain what dust collectors are, why you need them, and some information your ventilation specialists use to help you select the right system for your facility.
Dust Collection As Part of Your Industrial Ventilation Systems
Dust collection systems are different for every facility. Your processes and environment are unique, which is why it’s important to choose dust collectors based on your specific needs. There is no one-size-fits-all approach for dust collection. Ventilation specialists can help you choose the right equipment for your industrial ventilation systems.
Dust collectors are pieces of equipment that collect contaminated air from your facility. They clean those contaminants from the air before either expelling it outside or recirculating it in your building. They are different from exhaust systems, which simply draw in contaminated air and send it directly outside of the building without any filtration.
Dust collection systems filter air to remove contaminants that can negatively affect people, processes, products, and equipment. Dust and fumes can create safety hazards, like increased risk for fires and explosions. Exposure can also create health issues for your workers. Additionally, high contaminant levels can build up on sensitive components and cause damage and premature wear and tear on your machinery. Depending on your processes, dust may even contaminate your products and lower product quality or safety. Therefore, there are many reasons you may need dust collectors in your facility.
Who Needs Dust Collectors For Industrial Ventilation Systems?
Many facilities need dust collectors to create a successful work environment. One of the best ways to determine if you need dust collectors in your industrial ventilation systems is to speak to one of our ventilation specialists. However, here are some common signs you might need dust collection systems:
- Visible dust in your building
- Dust- or fume-related odors
- Dust-related damage
- Dust-related product problems
- Respiratory issues for workers
In addition, you can also determine whether you need dust collectors if you produce certain types of dust. These types of industrial dust can be harmful in one way or another, whether for safety, health, processes, products, or the environment. Some of these include:
- Metal dusts
- Wood dust
- Coal dust
- Plastic dust
- Sugar dust
- Flour dust
- Paper dust
- Fiberglass dust
- Certain textile dusts
Therefore, if your processes produce one or more of these common, but potentially harmful dusts, talk to our experts about whether you need a dust collector and which type may be best for you.
Considerations for Selecting Dust Collectors for Industrial Ventilation Systems
There are many things to consider when selecting a dust collector for your facility. Each type of dust collector has different features, benefits, and drawbacks. Some things our professionals look at to choose an effective and practical dust collector for your industrial ventilation systems include dust type, conditions in your facility, process conditions, and volume of particulates.
Dust Type
The dust type is important when choosing the right dust collection system. Different types of dust have different characteristics, such as particle size. The chemical makeup of dust can make it corrosive, abrasive, or combustible. Each of these characteristics can affect the material, filter, and surface coatings needed for your facility’s dust collector.
Facility & Process Conditions
The conditions the dust collector operates in is also important to understand. For instance, temperatures and moisture levels can impact how safe and effective your dust collector is. High temperature applications can negatively impact many filter materials. High moisture levels can cause condensation on the filter and sidewalls, while low moisture in the air can make some particles repel each other, similar to like ends of a magnet. Therefore, our team may ask many questions about your facility to determine the operating conditions for dust collector systems.
Volume
The volume of particulates and contaminated air is also necessary for choosing the right dust collectors for your industrial ventilation systems. Volume includes both the level of contaminants in the air as well as how much air the collector must handle at any given time. Volume not only determines the size of the dust collector, but also whether it runs intermittently or continuously. It may also affect the filter and collector type we recommend.
How Dust Collectors Work in Industrial Ventilation Systems
Dust collectors feature several different components that work together to gather contaminated air, remove the contaminants, and store the dust for removal from the facility.
Blowers, also known as centrifugal fans, help with industrial ventilation control in the dust collection system. Blowers draw in contaminated air and expel it into ducting leading to the dust collector.
Contaminated air then enters the filter to remove the particulates from the air stream. Most filters are made of fabric to achieve this.
Once clean, the air then either exhausts outside or is recirculated in the facility’s indoor air.
As the filter becomes full of particulates, the dust collector also has a filter cleaning solution. Sometimes this is achieved through compressed air or components to shake the filter to remove the dust automatically. In other cases, it may sound an alarm or shut down for manual cleaning from your workers.
Once removed from the filter, contaminants then enter the receptacle. This is a chamber that holds the dust until it’s ready for removal from the equipment.
Types of Dust Collectors
There are many types of dust collectors, but the two most popular are baghouse collectors and cartridge collectors. These two different types of dust collection systems use different types of filters to remove contaminants from the air.
Baghouse collectors use multiple felt bags to filter contaminants from the air. They are able to handle large volumes of dust. They are also better for high temperature conditions and sticky or abrasive dust than cartridge collectors.
Cartridge dust collectors use a sealed chamber with a smaller filter made of many fabric pleats to catch dust from incoming air. This type of collector works well for general dust collection because it is suited for a wide range of applications. They are also smaller and incredibly efficient, though may not be able to handle the same dust loads as baghouse options.
Ensuring Dust Collectors In Your Industrial Ventilation Systems Meet Regulations
It’s also critical to ensure your dust collection systems meet all applicable standards and regulations. There are many standards that may apply for your facility, including OSHA regulations, NFPA standards, and EPA requirements.
OSHA is primarily concerned with worker safety. While this organization does not have specific requirements for dust collectors, they do have requirements for dust control and the dust level inside a facility. This is because high amounts of dust can put workers’ health and safety at risk, not only through dust exposure, but also through increased risk for fires and explosions. This is such a concern that they have a National Emphasis Program specifically for combustible dust which was reissued in 2008 after the Georgia sugar refinery explosion.
Several NFPA (National Fire Protection Association) standards may apply for your facility, including:
- NFPA 654
- NFPA 68
- NFPA 69
- NFPA 61
- NFPA 484
- NFPA 664
Of course, you will need to check with your authority having jurisdiction (AHJ) to determine whether they adopt NFPA standards and which regulations apply for your facility.
Also, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) often restricts which contaminants are released into the atmosphere and environment. You may need dust collectors for these restrictions to prevent harmful dusts from entering the environment and avoiding finds from the EPA. Our team can help you find solutions to meet all applicable requirements, standards, and policies, as well as your facility’s specific needs.
Ventilation Solutions from Eldridge Since 1946
At Eldridge, our team is dedicated to creating successful environments with state-of-the-art ventilation solutions. We offer a wide range of services, including industrial ventilation system design and noise control for industrial ventilation systems. No matter your air quality, environmental comfort, or ventilation challenges, our team is here to help you solve them. Contact us now to request a quote for your facility’s needs.