What are Explosion-Proof Vacuums and Dust Collectors? How Do They Work?
Explosion-proof vacuums are manufactured for safe operation in locations that contain combustible gases or vapors where there is a high risk of ignition.
Explosion-proof vacuum systems utilize compressed air, electricity, and cyclonic motion to limit the chances of creating an environment that could ignite a hazardous atmosphere.
Unlike electric vacuums which work by means of a motor, explosion-proof vacuums use compressed air systems to eliminate the possible cause of sparks from motors or heat from moving parts, as well explosions from sparks caused by friction from motors, plugs, or switches, or arcing of motors.
As previous mentioned to promote safe operations, explosion-proof vacuums are constructed with the ground potential to discharge static electricity, or potential of making a spark or causing a cause for an explosion. Explosion-proof vacuums do not use direct electrical connections which can create hazardous conditions.
Explosion-proof or explosion-resistant vacuums are designed to use metal drums to collect dust. The dust is contained in the drum to prevent it from being a capable cause of an explosion, and at the time of disposal, the drum is sealed and properly disposed of.
The metal drums also serve as containment units for hazardous materials, so handling and disposal compliance can be obtained.
How Explosion-Proof Vacuum Cleaners Work
Explosion-proof vacuums used in industrial settings employ either electrical power, Venturi action or cyclonic action to accomplish cleaning tasks. The way dust, dirt, and/or debris is collected really depends upon the type of material and the classification and division of the material.
Each explosion-proof vacuum is rated for certain materials, which makes it essential to understand the classifications and divisions so that the proper explosion-proof vacuum is selected to be used in those types of conditions and types of waste.
Selecting a vacuum for volatile materials, as opposed to non-volatile materials, can lead to hazards and dangerous situations.
Explosion Proof Dust Collectors
Explosion-proof dust collectors are specialized air cleaning systems developed for the purpose of removing combustible gases and raising air quality in the areas found in commercial and industrial settings.
They can keep volatile gas vapors and particulates, filtering both solid pollutants and all hazardous materials regulated by environmental controls, particulates within raw gas are removed through a series of filters before the air is released as clean air.
Raw gas enters into a dust collector and goes through layers of filters that capture dust and other contaminants limiting what enters into the air stream. Dust collection systems are designed for use in industries that manufacture and use dust and may be hazardous by-persistent annoying.
Dust collection systems collect and clean bad air using a series of filters and separators allowing for cleaner air to enter the environment. Safety is increased with cleaner air and dust collection systems. So, cleaner air equals added safety based on higher air quality within the work environment.
Working Principle of Dust Collectors
Dust collectors are devices that remove combustible gases and act as air purification systems that remove dust, vapor gas, and prevent pollution and explosions in the ambient air environment.
They are designed to collect dust through ducting, air purification systems, pleated filtration, and collection or containment. Each dust collection system has different configurations, designs, and components dependent upon who manufactures them and the type of dust which is being collected.
The ducting of explosion-proof dust collectors are specifically designed so the dust collection system can effectively operate while providing a safe work environment.
The determining design considerations include the size of the ducts, the volume of air to be moved, the length of the piping run, the number of machines being served, and type of particles being colled.
Fans will pull air into the dust collector and sometimes each style of dust collector is specifically designed for the particular air cleaning process and the type of combustible material. Thus, proper duct work design is critical for proper system performance and safety.
The blowers or fans are the components that provide direction of air from the contaminant work area to the ducting and filtration systems.
There is certainly more to a blower and its installations than just airflow directionality. There are some factors to consider before completing the install of a dust collect system involving blowers.
First, how much air you are moving expressed in cubic foot per minute (CFM) and static pressure over the entire system, then consider the air composition, the gas temperature, combustibility, and moisture content.
Next, you need to determine if the blower you are using will be centrifugal or axial (the axial will typically resemble a standard fan) while centrifugal pull air at an angle in mostly the case.
The operation and performance of a dust collect system will be dependent on the dust filters. A blower directs the airflow from the work area through the filter that collects the finer airborne particles.
The way the efficiency of the filtration system is calculated is typically in an air-to-cloth ratio (ACR); which is the volume of air passing through each square foot area of filter surface, a lower number expresses higher efficiency.
With gas filtered out once the dust collection system is operating, the gases will go to a collection container or receptacle that collects the dust particles. The filter will be made of a variable filter material and loading rates that you can determine to impact the design of the receptacle.
All explosion-proof dust collectors utilize HEPA or ULPA filters for the purposes of filtration for all of the above reasons.
What are the components of explosion-proof vacuum cleaners?
A vacuum is considered explosion-proof if its components are designed to certain rigid government standards and guidelines in industry, such as OSHA, ATEX, and NFPA.
This gives confidence that all individual pieces of the vacuum including the housing, filters, hoses, all electrical components, etc., are constructed to work safely in hazardous conditions which may involve combustible dusts, vapors, or flammable gases.
- Heavy Duty Housing: The outer casing is effective at containing an internal explosion and can often include a heavy-duty stainless steel housing that will not crack, dent, or corrode—even under harsh conditions in accident-prone industrial facilities. The explosion-proof design includes anti-spark materials to lower the risk of ignition that can occur from static electricity discharge. Some explosion-proof vacuum cleaner housings incorporate reinforced fiberglass for added resilience and chemical resistance, which is a good solution where work takes place in environments such as petrochemical plants, paint shops, and manufacturing areas that handle highly volatile elements.
- Explosion-Proof Motor: An explosion-proof motor is purposely manufactured for applications in volatile environments considering the potential for ignition and/or sparks to occur internally. Explosion-proof motors, when used for a proper purpose, are made to contain pressure—in the case of an internal explosion–rather than allowing ignition sources to leak into the hazardous area. When using an explosion-proof motor it is necessary to make sure that it is classified accordingly for hazardous location classification (i.e. Class I, II, or III, Division 1 or 2).
- Grounded Components and Anti-Static Accessories: Motors, switches, conductive hoses, and air supply lines are fitted with grounded parts and accessories. Components that are grounded actively dissipate static electricity, which minimizes the potential ignition source from electrostatic discharge that are very common in locations where explosive dust or fumes are present. Anti-static accessories, such as conductive wheels and brackets, lower static build-up, which can occur when any vacuum cleaner is moved a across a factory floor or moving inside a chemical processing facility.
- Immersion Separators: One option for some explosion-proof vacuums is the use of immersion separators to reduce the risk from combustibility dust (i.e. magnesium, titanium, or aluminum particles.) An immersion separator uses a bath of non-reactive, nonconductive liquid to safely collect and neutralize user-generated volatile metal shavings. This advancement in engineering prevents potential ignition of flammable dust that could be trapped in the vacuum unit, fulfilling necessary obligations and standards for combustible dust of workers in the workplace.
High-Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) and ULPA Filters
The most significant safety feature of explosion-proof vacuum cleaners is usually HEPA filtration systems. HEPA filters capture 99.97% of all airborne particulate matter at 0.3 microns and larger, according to standardized testing and ratings.
Because of this, HEPA filters are important for safe and controlled removal of hazardous dust, fine powder, and other contaminants particulates. In a fixed situation in which air quality is important, Ultra-Low Penetration Air (ULPA) filters can be utilized for even more particulate capture.
HEPA and ULPA filters are engineered in order to ensure that the exhaust air from their filtration systems is free of hazardous contaminants, particularly in locations such as pharmaceutical manufacturing, food processing, and chemical handling facilities.
With the HEPA or ULPA filtration, explosion proof vacuums allow employers to comply to limits that restrict worker exposure to hazardous dust, with similar assurances that compliance to industrial hygiene and environmental safety regulations be met and maintained.
Some models often will incorporate more than one stage of filtration. For example, a primary cyclone separator, a pre-filter, and HEPA or ULPA filter is a typical system. Multi-stage filtration system is an excellent choice because it better contains contaminants, replaces filters less often, and retains more filter area.
The benefits of HEPA or ULPA filtration systems, a safe feature of explosion-proof vacuums, is invaluable when considering hazardous materials, including silica dust, combustible powders, and flammable chemical residues.
Additional Explosive Zone and Safety Certifications
To help assess that an explosion proof vacuum is appropriate for use in particular industrial applications, consider the certifications given to it including ATEX (use in explosive atmospheres) in the EU and Class/Division rated in North America.
In addition, manufacturers usually provided documentation and labeling indicating that their vacuum systems (as appropriate) have passed rigorous testing and meet classified hazardous location standards and are safe for use in environments where explosive gases and/or dust clouds may exist.
When assessing and/or purchasing explosion proof vacuum cleaners, you are encouraged to assess the type and size of dust or vapor, fit into your existing safety programs, and determine the desired level of filtration.
Often, reputable industrial vacuum manufacturers offer several models suitable for different hazardous locations, and provide technical advice and after sales service to keep you compliant, and safe.
What are the classifications of explosion-proof vacuums?
Explosion-proof vacuum cleaners referred to as intrinsically safe vacuums or hazardous location vacuums are classified according to classes, divisions, groups, and power ratings.
Each specialized model is built for the safe collection of combustible dust, flammable materials, or hazardous debris in specific work environments such as pharmaceutical manufacturing, food processing plants, metalworking shops, and chemical handling facilities.
Understanding their classifications is necessary to select the right industrial vacuum system for compliance purposes based on hazardous conditions, mitigating dust explosions, and worker safety.
The National Electrical Code (NEC) and National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) provide a full classification system that defines the technical and design criteria for explosion-proof vacuums.
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) further builds on this by developing standards and outlines rules, outlined in the technical criteria for ignition protection, construction features, and certifications (i.e., ATEX certification for European markets, and Class/Division/Zone classifications for North America) pertaining to operating explosion-proof industrial vacuums in these high-risk environments.
According to OSHA regulations, operators must use compliant explosion-proof or spark-resistant vacuums when working in areas filled with flammable gases, vapors, or combustible dust.
Ignition sources including, but not limited to, metal-to-metal contact, hot motor surfaces, static discharge, electrical sparks, or open flame create incredible risks of fire and explosion in classified environments.
The use of certified and grounded and static-dissipative Type D vacuum cleaners assists in mitigating hazards, while also complying with state and federal occupational safety legislation.
Classification by Area
In relation to the expressed topic matter, area classification or hazardous location zoning works by dividing rooms, sections, and production areas into classes based on the possibility and quantity of explosive atmospheres, which is helpful for determining the ignition sources, from dust clouds, gas leaks, and various processes used for handling materials, and selecting the required safety equipment, correct vacuum filters, static controls and safe work procedures for the respective zone/division that is found within a facility.
The area classification system in North America is located in NFPA 70 (the National Electrical Code) and the Canadian Electrical Code (CEC).
It defines the classes, divisions, and groups of hazardous locations, the amount and type of volatile material (combustible metals, flammable dust, and ignitable fibers) which are available to progress fire and explosion. Meanwhile internationally, ATEX directive and IECEx standards provide comparable zoning identification for explosive atmospheres in Europe and worldwide.
Definition of Class
The “class” level is the first of three levels towards defining the hazard potential of a given location (what type of explosive or flammable material is PRESENT):
- Class I: Areas with combustible gases or vapors, if it exists in oil refineries, chemical plants, gasoline storage.
- Class II: Areas containing combustible or conductive dusts, e.g. flour mills, metal and wood working, and coal handling.
- Class III: Areas may have ignitable fibers or flying objects e.g. textiles, fiber, or wood.
The explosion characteristics of each hazard based substance will vary based on how it is used, its form, ignition temperature, and the container environment.
Other factors affecting the class system include: ignition temperature, safety clearance, flashpoint, and maximum explosive pressure.
Flammable and combustible gases are subdivided into groups and temperature classes based on their unique chemical and physical properties so the explosion proof vacuum selected will be compatible and safe for its intended use.
The temperature class of vacuum indicates the maximum allowed surface temperature of the vacuum equipment when using hazardous materials.
This ensures that the exterior thermal energy of the vacuum does not reach or exceed the minimum ignition temperature of any material which could accidentally ignite. Temperature classes are assigned T1 (the highest, up to 450°C) to T6 (the lowest, up to 85°C).
Divisions Definitions
Classes are also divided into two “divisions,” which define the frequency and probability of hazardous materials being present that could create an explosion hazard:
Division I: Indicates that ignitable substances are present in normal operations or regularly due to repair, maintenance, or abnormal equipment conditions. For example, during the loading/unloading of a grain silo, airborne dust may occur.
Division II: Indicates that hazardous materials are present only under abnormal circumstances, i.e., due to a leak or an accidental release, and under normal operations it is not expected to have hazardous concentrations and reduces potential explosion hazards.
Group Definitions
The group classification addresses the precise atmospheric hazard focusing on the chemical and physical characteristics of the flammable and combustible substances.
The groups are lettered A-G, and understanding these groups is the first step in correctly matching explosion-proof vacuums to their specific environments:
- Group A: Acetylene—an extremely flammable and explosive gas that is used for welding and cutting metals.
- Group B: Atmospheres with gases with a maximum experimental safe gap (MESG) ≤ 0.45 mm or minimum igniting current (MIC) ratio ≤ 0.40 (e.g., hydrogen).
- Group C: Gases with a MESG > 0.45 mm and ≤ 0.75 mm or MIC ratio > 0.40 and ≤ 0.80 (e.g., ethylene).
- Group D: Gases with a MESG > 0.75 mm or MIC ratio > 0.80 (e.g., propane, butane).
- Group E: Areas with combustible metals dusts, e.g. aluminum, magnesium, or titanium, usually in powder manufacturing or recycling industries.
- Group F: Combustible carbonaceous dusts with volatile content ≥ 8%, e.g., coal dust, coke oven.
- Group G: Other combustible dusts (not included in the groups of E or F) e.g., plastics, flour, organic dusts.
Single-Phase Electric Explosion-Proof Vacuum
Single-phase electric explosion-proof vacuums are constructed to allow for the safe cleaning of hazardous dry dusts including but not limited to, aluminum, magnesium, titanium, gun powder, and pharmaceutical powders in explosive environments.
These vacuums are ATEX-certified and built to Class I, Division 1, Group D, and Class II, Division 1, Groups E, F and G. The vacuums feature anti-static hoses, conductive filters, and spark resistant components to protect against ignition from combustible dust.
Having multiple HEPA filters, explosion-proof pressure switches, and filter status indicators, ensures effective dust collection, containment, and airborne particulate reduction.
Having a wide range of components such as automatic shut off features when filters are full or clogged, allows for uninterrupted compliance and dust management.
Three-Phase Electric Explosion-Proof Vacuum
Three-phase electric explosion-proof vacuums are safe, pleasing, and versatile options for serious cleaning applications in industrial settings that need high CFM combined with long run times.
These vacuums are made for collecting combustible dust (metallic powders, plastic resins, particulates, etc.) and include stainless steel collection chambers and conductive collection containers along with the best HEPA, high efficiency, and ULPA filtration systems available.
They typically meet important electrical safety standards for Class II, Division 2, Group E locations, include a filter cleaning indicator, heavy-duty power-cable armor, and a manual shaking-type dust filter shaker to assist with efficient filter maintenance and maximum dust containment.
They are ideally suited for heavy-duty applications where usefulness and suction are essential, such as material recovery, bulk powders, and manufacturing.
Venturi Air-Powered Explosion-Proof Vacuum Cleaners
A Venturi explosion-proof vacuum uses a Venturi tube to create a powerful, maintenance-free suction system that is perfect for locations with electrical equipment limitations.
Venturi tubes rely on the acceleration of compressed air through a specially designed tube to create a low-pressure area that generates continuous vacuum suction (meaning that there are no moving parts).
This method eliminates electrical ignition sources, and supports the continuous extraction of dust from areas with extreme potential for static discharge.
Venturi vacuums are typically chosen for operations that require, for example, ATEX compliance, but require no electrical infrastructure. Venturi vacuums are regularly employed in chemical processing plants, laboratories, and even hazardous waste remediation.
A Venturi explosion-proof vacuum works like this. Compressed air is blasted through a high-speed nozzle into a mixing chamber.
The drop in pressure creates a vacuum suction capable of pulling air—and contaminated material—through the vacuum line, through a filter, and into a sealed collection drum. The design is therefore intrinsically safe (no spark), and especially useful for recovering both dry and wet hazardous materials.
Cyclone Explosion-Proof Vacuums
Cyclone explosion-proof vacuums utilize cutting-edge cyclone separation technology to remove hazardous dust, powders, and particulate components from environmental air.
Cyclone systems generate a high-speed vortex that forces the larger debris downward into a collection drum, eliminating larger particles from the fine particulate before it can enter the filter, ensuring extended filter life and reduced frequency of cleaning.
They also offer larger impacts for ongoing operations in production environments such as pharmaceuticals, food-producing facilities, and metals processing facilities.
Cyclone separators are also effective at keeping filter saturation (or clogs) at bay, provide continuous suction, and prevent inadvertent combustible dust accumulation which, combined, enhances OSHA compliance and further complies with NFPA standards for dust mitigation.
Accordingly, the separation process drastically increases operational uptime while decreasing maintenance downtime of equipment, and efficiency of waste containment.
Cyclone explosion-proof vacuums are well suited for facilities where operation is ongoing with high volume dust collection, less labor involvement.
Pneumatic Explosion-Proof Vacuums
Pneumatic explosion-proof vacuums run completely electrically free and without motors or moving parts, making these vacuums extremely effective in highly explosive environments or those containing excessive dust for use in hazardous locations.
Pneumatic vacuums may be used in environments involving flour, charcoal, titanium powder, magnesium swarf, pharmaceutical powders, and aluminum powder.
All pneumatic vacuums are built with static-dissipative hoses, conductive components, and they operate spark-free easily eliminating any static electricity ignition risk – which is essential in flammable environments as governed by NFPA and OSHA.
Powered through portable air compressors, these vacuums pull safe, strong suction using a Venturi system.
Usually lightweight, quiet, and a breeze to transport, pneumatic vacuums have the ability to draw both wet and dry hazardous debris and are produced in drum sizes that range from 18 to 55 gallons.
Because it is not electrically powered and offers versatility during intended usage, pneumatic vacuum systems are the method of choice in facilities designed to have maximized compliance, with zero discharge risk of explosion due to electrical discharges.
Air-Powered Explosion-Proof Vacuums
Single, Dual, and ^Quad vacuum products as well as pneumatic vacuums are powered by compressed air, instead of electricity, which minimizes the hazards of electrical sparks and static electricity.
These portable air driven vacuum systems are one of the most utilized explosion-proof vacuums in hazardous dust locations due to their simplicity of being spark-free and intrinsically safe and typically require very little maintenance and downtime.
Air-powered explosion-proof vacuum products require direct connection to an airline to generate a powerful and dependable vacuum suction. These vacuums are used in many applications in manufacturing plants, refineries, mines, and food processing facilities where compliance and worker safety takes precedence.
Typically, air-driven vacuum systems utilize anti-static hoses, conductive collection drums, and consist of HEPA or ULPA filtration to comply with all regulatory standards for dust control safety on the job site, which are regulated by OSHA, NFPA, and ATEX
All air-powered explosion-proof vacuums use Venturi tubes and must be used in conjunction with reliable, industrial, portable air compressors based on the CFM and pressure demands in unique explosive atmospheres. It is also very important to consider and utilize proper grounding and spark control as they apply.
What are the types of explosion-proof dust collectors?
Explosion-proof dust collectors serve to capture dust and filter dust particles to protect against explosion or combustibility.
Explosion-proof dust collectors vary in size from large, stationary dust collectors with advanced filtration systems to small portable dust collector with castors. Moreover explosion-proof dust collectors are designed to manage, suppress and control combustible dust.
While explosion-proof dust collectors are designed to avoid exploding, the type of dust you are handling is important when selecting are dust collector. All organic dust is explosive and therefore it is always advisable to utilize explosion-proof dust collectors.
The process begins with the initial or preliminary “Go or no-go” test with regards to explosive or flammable dust.
After that, the dust is evaluated at your site in many ways with OSHA performing testing for further evaluation. The dust work has been taken, dust analysis and HMACVH on lot will determine your dust collection method.
The first step in combustible dust analysis is a Dust Hazard Analysis (DHA) which recognizes combustion hazards, environmental factors, and impact. The workplace can perform the initial DHA, as there is no regulation to adhere too.
The next step is the more intense and direct organizations and could include OSHA referred to as Process Hazards Analysis (PHA).
This will assess your combustible dust hazards on a larger scale. Also, NFPA Standards 61, 484, 654, 655 and 664 address dust properties and controlling and preventing dust explosions.
Pulse Jet Dust Collectors
Pulse jet dust collectors are a type of baghouse dust collector that employ pulsed jet air to clean dust-laden cloth bag filters. Along with the bags, the pulse jet dust collector employs a differential pressure sensor to detect the pressure difference between clean air and dirty air.
If the pressure differential exceeds a specified value (setpoint), a signal is sent to the bag trustee to initiate cleaning the filter element.
Pulse jet dust collectors are particularly popular because they have relatively low maintenance, are effective for high-density dust handling, and have excellent filter performance. There are some drawbacks; they are large, have to be installed externally, and take up more real estate than other dust collection systems.
Some applications where pulse jet dust collectors are ideal include: product recovery, dust collection, separating and filtering explosive materials, metalworking chips, hazardous media, central vacuum cleaning, and pneumatic conveying.
Industrial Dust Collectors
Industrial dust collectors are necessary for the safe and clean environments of workplaces, plants, manufacturers, and commercial environments.
These dust collectors are capable of removing potentially harmful products of combustion and air contamination including but not limited to volatile organic compounds, hydrocarbon fumes, and vaporized solvent during the production or maintenance of products.
Chemical exposure can cause harm to ecology and human and/or biological systems. Explosion-proof dust collectors take air pollution control to the next level of capturing and neutralizing production exhausts from fumes and vaporizing solids through advanced filtration systems.
Employers are frequently required by regulatory agencies or insurance companies to utilize dust collectors to ensure the health and safety of the work environment, and any other health risks posed by contaminants in the air, even in specific instances regarding sound-proofing.
Required regulations may also have specific levels of sound-proofing to eliminate noise produced by equipment and further protect workers.
Electrostatic Precipitators
An electrostatic precipitator is a type of device that collects pollutants using the electrostatic forces created from a system of electrically charged wires. As the exhaust air passes through the charged wires, it is charged and ionized.
The charged particles are then moved to and deposited on collection plates in an electrostatic field. The appropriately cleaned air exits the system and the pollutants are deposited on the plates.
There are several methods that can be utilized to remove the collected debris on the collector plates of an electrostatic precipitator: shaking, scraping, or manual cleaning.
Furthermore, the system can be modified to work in conjunction with larger particles (e.g., ash) or particles that require higher energy to properly remove from the air stream.
Cyclone Dust Collectors
Centrifugal force is utilized by Cyclone dust collectors to remove particles from the air through the process of cyclonic force contained within a hopper chamber.
The centrifugal force of the cyclonic action forces the larger particles outward, where the dust particles fall into a collection chamber for removal.
The size of cyclone dust collectors range from the large, outdoor units for cement manufacturing to the small, laboratory models.
They come in several designs to optimize vacuum performance. Cyclone dust collectors can also increase operational efficiency, ensure worker safety, and provide extended life of equipment.
Downdraft Tables
Downdraft tables filter pollution and or dust from the work area either automatically or the user will manually activate the downdraft action. In the past workers would sweep the dust and debris into a hole in the working surface when downdraft tables were not in use.
Downdraft tables are mainly used to try and capture dust or other airborne contaminants such as powders, fumes, and fine and coarse particles. It’s designed with perforated grilles to route the air evenly.
On the surface, the Air is drawn through the continuous perforated surface perforated with slots and eventually into the exhaust chamber under the downdraft table. The exhaust chamber has filters that can trap dust as small as 0.5 microns (µ) in diameter.
Shaker Dust Collectors
Shaker dust collectors are appropriate for handling large particles such as wood dust and plastic chips. Shaker dust collectors work such that there is a filter bag that hangs inside a dirty air plenum, in which dust collects on the outside of the filter bag.
The connection duct of a shaker dust collector is always under the hopper. The air enters a dusty collector and decreases in velocity upon entering the dust collector.
This allows the larger particles to fall and settle into hopper while, with the help of the surface tension from larger portions of the medium, smaller particles gravitate toward the outside of the filter bags.
The dislodged dust is shaken loose from the filters back into the collection bin or hopper from a shaking mechanism.
Shaker dust collectors can use either a segmented system or an interrupted airflow system. This means that compressed air is not needed to clean the filters, so the system can continue to operate without needing to be shut down.
Shaker dust collectors are often used in foundries, steel mills, mines, and smelting plants where compressed air isn’t readily available for cleaning filters.
Wet Scrubbers
Wet scrubbers, also referred to as wet dust collectors, use a scouring fluid for the collection of gasses and particulates, with water being the reigning champion of solvents.
Contaminated air enters the scrubber at the bottom and passes upward through the packed bed on the bottom which has a downward-flowing water solvent that collects the pollutants.
The type and choice of liquid for effective operation of wet scrubbers is dependent on the chemical composition and compatibility regarding the contaminants being treated. The liquid being used must be assessed concerning its interaction with pollutants.
Whether they are disposed positively, negatively, or neutral charge orientation must be determined in regards to the chemical chooser and state of the liquid the px.
Additionally, the chemical composition must ensure the liquid will absorb into the various chemical form of the soot which includes bind pollutants in the scrubber.
Portable Dust Collectors
Portable dust collectors are designed for small dust collection jobs in repair shops, commercial business, and small-scale projects.
They are very effective at picking up debris from activities such as welding, cutting, and grinding. They are not traditional vacuum systems and they are designed to be used at lower pressures, so they are intended to run indefinitely.
Portable dust collectors are designed with self-cleaning filters, and they discharge dust by an auger. Portable dust collectors, which are mostly baghouse style, can be very powerful for building production size.
Even though they are compact, they are made of heavy duty material, and even the seams are closely constructed for performance.
Cartridge Dust Collectors
Cartridge dust collectors utilize filters with a certain type of cloth that has been created for that specific application. They tend to save space and have airflow that is equivalent to larger baghouse systems.
Since a cartridge dust collector uses fewer filters, they maximize the surface area of the fabric in a smaller space, creating less safety risk and making filter changes faster and easier. Plus, they generally allow filter changes from outside the dust collector, further reducing maintenance time.
The small size of a cartridge dust collector makes it suitable for DSMs environments that create fine light dust, moderate dust, or heavier dust as in the case of certain pharmaceutical manufacturing, powder coating, machining, woodworking, metal fume collection, and thermal spray (plating) operations.
What are the applications for explosion-proof vacuums?
- Hazardous Locations: According to OSHA’s definitions, safety equipment is needed in hazardous areas when using an explosion-proof vacuum. Authorized explosion-proof models are for Class I and II conditions.
- Combustible Dust Reduction: OSHA has become more rigorous under its Combustible Dust National Emphasis Program, regarding the General Duty Clause, Section 5(a)(1). There have been fines against businesses for noncompliance. Thus, clearly organizations and companies need to establish explosive-dust program to protect workers and part of that program is to call for explosion-proof vacuums.
- Flammable Liquids: Industrial explosion-proof vacuums pick up spilled flammable liquids or produce fuels, as a byproduct of processes producing combustibles.
- Manufacturing Byproducts: Any number of processes like milling, grinding and cutting create hazardous scrap that must be collected and safely disposed of with explosion-proof vacuums during users physical safety and the safety of the organization and facility.
- Materials with Potential Static Electricity Buildup: Explosion-proof vacuums offer static dissipation. Thus, explosion-proof vacuums are a good choice for powder paint cleanup.
What are the applications for dust collectors?
Laser Plasma Cutting: In laser cutting, a concentrated beam of laser makes precise cuts. In plasma cutting, used for stainless steel, gases are combined to cut through material. In both processes, fumes, smoke, dust, and oxides are produced. Therefore, it’s important to have a laser fume extractor that not only provides worker safety but also ensures optimum performance of the equipment. Most laser cutting systems provide built-in duct ports for collection of dust. Key specifications for these laser dust collectors include, air-to-cloth ratio and total draw.
Food Processing: Common ingredients produced- such as sugar, flour, or spices- have processes that allow them to be potentially explosive dust. As raw materials are mixed, and packaged, fine dust particles are released into the air. Dust collectors are used to collect and capture these Dust particles for a more worker safe environment.
Plastics Industry: Smartphones, laptops, office supplies, vehicles, and entertainment supplies, use plastics on most products that surround us daily. Except now, all of these things are made from polymers and potentially several additives (to enhance the property of those polymers). These additives cause dust and debris to be created in the processes. Dust collectors needs to be used to capture this dust and debris to eliminate contamination and keep workers healthy.
Processes that shape and produce plastic products involve: extrusion, blow molding, injection molding and 3D printing. All of these processes produce dust particles into the air, wether they are from sanding, deburring or the process of recycled plastics, these dust particles need to be collected for clean and safe work environment. Industrial dust collection systems are necessary to keep airborne particles manageable, for a healthier work environment.