Article: 10 Ways A Dust Collection System Can Contribute To Your Plant’s Sustainability

A dust collector is designed to clean a factory of dust and fumes, thus making it fundamentally green.  By designing a dust collection system properly you can contribute to sustainability in many additional ways. An article appearing in Green Manufacturer magazine titled "10 Ways a dust collection system can contribute to your plant’s sustainability" written by air pollution control expert John Dauber, gives an easy overview in helping increase and maintain sustainability.

Make sure that the dust collector is compliant with the new U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP) Rule 6x regarding weld fumes and other airborne contaminants.   You can request a written guarantee from the equipment manager stating the dust collector meets the standards.  Size the collector properly for the application and area.  An undersized dust collector can result in high pressure drop, frequent filter changes, high energy usage, and a host of larger maintenance issues.

If you are being accountable for a  high standard of sustainability shouldn't you require your dust collector supplier to do the same.  You can request a sustainability report or other documentation as evidence of its green manufacturing initiatives.   The use of a VFD variable-frequency drive controls fan speed effectively and efficiently.

To read the full article and learn additional steps to consider for a truly sustainable dust collection system please visit Green Manufacturer Magazine.
You may also find more information regarding the EPA Standards here.

Article: Asking The Right Questions About Cartridge Dust Collection

Over the past decade, cartridge-style dust collectors have overtaken baghouses as the preferred technology for pharmaceutical dust collection. Combining maximum filtration efficiency with compact size and reduced pressure drop, a high efficiency cartridge dust collector will in most cases be the system of choice.

Choosing the best cartridge collection system for a given application, however, involves research and attention to detail. This article will review four key areas of investigation. By reviewing these topics with a knowledgeable equipment supplier and knowing the right questions to ask, engineers will be better equipped to make informed dust collection decisions. Read the full article here.

FAQ: Are dust collector filters washable?

In reference to pleated filter media cartridges for industrial dust collectors, the answer is yes...and no! It mostly depends on the filter media that is used or required for a given application. Filters cartridges that are made of spun bond polyester can be washed - that is, removed from the dust collector and washed down with low pressure water. Once completely dry, they can be reinstalled in the collector. Filter cartridges that are made of untreated (cellulose) paper should not get wet at any time.

So when would you use washable filters in a dust collector? These are ideally suited to tough applications including heavy dust loading conditions, hot/moist air streams, high levels of fine particulate, and/or hygroscopic dust properties which may limit performance of cellulosic type filters. In many food/beverage applications, equipment is often required to be washed - inside and out - periodically. Of course, if a filter cartridge is claimed to be washable, be certain that the end caps and any integral metal components are treated to be in contact with water as well. Be sure to ask the filter cartridge supplier (you'd be surprised). Learn more about pleated cartridge filter media types here.

FAQ: How often will I need to change my cartridges?

The frequency of filter cartridge replacement in industrial dust collectors is affected by many factors and is different for every application. So, this frequently asked question is a tough one to answer. A properly sized collector with careful consideration to the type of dust and the appropriate air volume per cartridge for the application is crucial to long filter life.

If a dust collector is poorly designed, the dust hitting the filter will abrade it in a short amount of time, ultimately resulting in a leak. This happens frequently with horizontal cartridge designs. Vertical cartridge designs prevent the uneven build-up of dust on a cartridge, which blocks usable filter surface area and increases the likihood of the filters plugging sooner. Continuous pulse cleaning of the cartridges also contributes to wear, typically causing a rip at the edge of a pleat on some inferior quality filters. Smart 'on demand' cleaning systems that only pulse the cartridges when they reach a predetermined 'dirty' point (measured by pressure drop) greatly extend the cartridge life.

All filter cartridges will eventually plug up beyond a usable point, again, for a given application. Operating conditions, dust loading, the physical properties of the dust particles and the velocity at which they hit the filter media all play a role in the life expectancy of a filter cartridge. The bottom line is that your dust collector supplier should be able to give a good estimate of cartridge life, whether it be months or years. Ask for a documented performance guarantee. If the dust collector supplier won't give you one, take your business elsewhere.

Trends in Pleated Cartridge Filters

If you already own an industrial dust collector, choosing the right pleated cartridge filter can improve your cartridge collector's dust capture efficiency, help it operate more reliably, and reduce its energy and maintenance requirements. To help you make an informed choice, the article Trends in Pleated Cartridge Filters discusses some recent advances in pleated cartridge filter technology.

Captioned photos and illustrations of the filters enhance this article.