For industrial facilities, dust is the enemy. Dust can foul up a production process and contribute to higher emissions, higher operational costs, and a less streamlined process. Left unchecked, an abundance of dust can wreak havoc on systems and cause degradation.
The consequences of excess dust are the reason industrial dust collectors were created. But over the years, the purpose of dust collectors has changed – and so has the method by which dust collectors operate.
Changing Roles of Industrial Dust Collectors
A few decades ago, mechanical dust collectors in industrial facilities were intended as true air pollution control devices. Back then, on-site air pollution was an urgent priority for most plants, and the primary role of dust collectors was to limit pollution’s effects and make the workplace suitable for workers and equipment alike.
Now, decades later, their role is to serve as a reliable source of erosion protection for your facility’s equipment located downstream, such as the ID fan. Dust collectors provide a low-maintenance way to manage erosion in addition to maintaining lower air pollution in the environment.
One practical way this change has manifested involves inlet tubes. Previously, medium to large boilers – those over 100,000 actual cubic feet per minute – used inlet tubes with smaller diameters, such as 6-9 inches. These were usually in a non-accessible arrangement.
The typical operating system has now evolved to the point where larger inlet tubes are used, those from 14 to 24 inches in diameter. Moreover, these larger tubes are in an accessible arrangement. This change is just one of several innovations that have led to more capacity for dust collection and more efficient operations for the system as a whole.
Finding Efficiency with Industrial Dust Collectors
Dust collectors can dramatically increase the efficiency of a facility. They can also prolong the lifespan of your equipment, from ID fans to more delicate components that need to have the lowest possible annual downtime.
Selecting the right size for your inlet tubes can contribute to more efficient dust collection. Additionally, retrofitting and upgrading your dust collection equipment on a periodic basis can add longevity to your system and cut down on the need for repairs.
The changing nature of dust collection systems means you need to periodically evaluate your environment to make sure your dust collection infrastructure is up to date. For example, cyclone collectors that use centrifugal force generated form a mechanical separator can increase the volume of dust collected – thereby improving efficiency. If you’re using a legacy system, upgrading to a cyclone collection method can offer significant improvement.
Contact ProcessBarron for custom industrial dust collector systems that improve efficiency and reduce air pollution and erosion.