Understanding MFHAP Regulations

Many companies have always just exhausted their weld fume outside. This has been an option for companies especially in temperate climates where heating or cooling the manufacturing plant was not necessary. Plants in colder climates have been able to justify the expense of a cartridge collector, which saved energy costs by filtering the air and returning the conditioned air back into the workspace. Most of these systems could see a payback within 2-3 years just on the energy savings alone, not to mention a cleaner and healthier environment for the workers.

There is a new EPA regulation that will change all of that. No longer will plants be able to just exhaust the contaminated air outside. The new standard is the National emission standards for hazardous air pollutants area source standards for nine metal fabrication and finishing source categories.

The new EPA standard was established on July 23, 2008. Any new facility built after this date had to meet the new standard. All other facilities must comply by July 25, 2011. Notification of compliance must be submitted before November 22, 2011 if it is an existing facility or if it is a new facility 120 days after start up or by November 20, 2008, whichever is later.

For more information and to download a PDF detailing the test methods in the regulation, go to Understanding MFHAP Regulations. MFHAP = Metal Fabrication Hazardous Air Pollutants

FAQ: Our dust collection system handles a very fine dust and is having problems with dusting and emissions. What can I do to fix this problem?

The most obvious fix is to upgrade to a filtration media with higher efficiency. There are many good choices available, and a reputable filter supplier should be willing to guarantee in writing that the maximum emissions rate will fall below threshold limits established by OSHA or EPA for the dust in question.

Filtration efficiency is only part of the picture, however. Dust collector cartridges with open-pleated media tend to hold more dust between cleaning pulses and release the dust more readily during cleaning than filters with tightly-packed media. Most dusting and emissions problems occur during pulsing, so this difference in cartridge construction can make an impact. Also, a good electronic control system – programmed to provide “on demand” rather than continuous pulsing – will prevent over-cleaning of cartridges and reduce the chance for dusting to occur. As a side benefit, on-demand cleaning will save on compressed air and energy costs. For more information, read the article, Asking the Right Questions.

Cartridge Dust Collectors Slash Emissions, Save Water and Energy for Major Mine

Controlling the high levels of dust generated in crushing operations to meet stringent permitting requirements is a difficult challenge for mining engineers. At one U.S. copper mine, the use of a cartridge-style dry dust collection system has reduced emissions to a level of only 0.00037 grains/dry standard cubic foot (dscf) average. This is just a fraction of the required limit of 0.02 grains/dscf – while delivering added benefits of energy savings, water savings and ease of maintenance.

Read the full case study that appeared in Technology News. A PDF file of the article can also be downloaded.