Dust collection in the Food Industry can be a complicated and perplexing topic. This article walks through how to implement the most effective dust collection system for your facility. Read more...

This article examines smoke and methods of collection using a WSO mist collector. Read more...

Dust and gas stream characteristics can make for some challenging equipment selections. Let’s look at just a couple of the more common gas stream characteristics and their impacts on selecting an appropriate collector: temperature, moisture, and chemistry. Read more...

Safety awareness in manufacturing is on the increase. This article by Bob Morfeld, Donaldson Torit Regional Sales Engineer, outlines four critical safety topics when inspecting and maintaining dust collection equipment. Read more...

Optimizing airflow control in a dust collection system offers important benefits: extended filter life, increased energy conservation, and overall cost savings. Approaches taken to control airflow include 1) use of an inlet vane damper, 2) modifying the fan by replacing the sheaves, and 3) use of a digital control system with variable frequency drive (VFD). Read the full article to learn the pros and cons of each approach.

One item often overlooked with dust collection systems is discharge devices, with the most common types being the drums or rotary valves. Proper maintenance of an air-tight seal for these devices is critical for keeping excess dust away from the filters during normal operation of the dust collector. Read the entire maintenance tip...

Initially when a dust collector is commissioned, the service technician will measure the total air volume and the duct conveying velocity to assess proper dust control at the hoods. He will then set and record the fan damper position. Over time, as dust accumulates on the filters and then gets pulsed off, differential pressure and airflows change. Fan dampers should be adjusted accordingly. Read more about why and when to make these adjustments...

When it comes to the placement of dust collectors for material handling applications in process industries, there are several strategies to choose from. Centralized, dedicated, and integrated (source) options are discussed in this article. Learn more...

Thermal cutting produces slag, smoke, and fine, thermally generated particles that need to be filtered. Air filtration system designs depend on the cutting environment and process parameters. A well-designed dust collection system should transform the entire cutting work envelope into an effective fume-capture system. This article delineates the factors affecting the design and integration of a good quality dust collection system. Read more...

Integrating dust collectors in cutting systems that generate fume and particulate can help reduce worker exposure to fume and protect expensive machinery. This article summarizes things to consider when selecting a dust collection system. Read more...

Standards to appropriately and accurately measure the effectiveness of industrial dust collector systems have never existed. Since many dust collector and filter manufacturers make claims about their products’ performance, many end users find themselves lost in a world of boasts and promises. In an effort to implement a basis for comparison, many companies, industries, and jurisdictions have resorted to the application of MERV ratings, established by ASHRAE 52.2 for the general industrial ventilation cleaning industry. But is this an appropriate measurement of effectiveness for industrial dust collectors? Read the full article

Correct compressed air pressure is critical for effective filter cleaning and filter longevity. If your pulse jet style dust collector is not achieving the filter life it once was, check the air pressure on the compressed air supply. Read more...

This article explains differential pressure in a dust collector, and how to use it to control filter cleaning to lower total emissions, realize longer filter life, and compressed air savings. Read more...

Metalworking companies use mist collectors on their machine tools to help provide clean air to reduce the adverse effects of exposure to metalworking fluids, comply with indoor air quality standards, reduce maintenance and housekeeping costs, and improve part quality. This aricle examines the different types of mist collectors based on fundamental deisgn principles for separating mist droplets from an airstream. Read more...

Learn four simple field techniques to evaluate the characteristics of the dust in your work environment: the Fines Test, the Paper Pleat Test, the Paper Plate Test, and the Hygroscopic Test. Understanding dust characteristics enables manufacturers to more competently evaluate current and future dust collection methods and needs. Read more...

Learn about the three primary mist collection strategies: single machine per source (mounted or ducted), cellular with a collector serving a few machines, or a centralized mist collector serving most sources in an area. Read more...

Dust collectors are an integral part of many plants' combustible dust compliance strategies. This article discusses: What is currently going on in the industry? Are there new rules I need to know about? What does this mean to me and my customers? and Why should dust collectors be part of my strategy decision? Read more...

Congress passed the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (EISA). This law requires that all general purpose, three-phase AC industrial motors from 1 to 500 horsepower that are manufactured for sale in the United States Dec. 19, 2010 and later will need to meet mandated efficiency standards. Are you ready? Read the full article

Over 18 billion bushels of grain are produced and moved through grain handling systems in the US each year. The ability of the United States to feed its populace and livestock, support the biofuels movement, and export excess grain to emerging markets is a point of national pride and strength. The infrastructure for moving grain from one point to another includes small country elevators, larger elevators, large grain terminals, trucks, trains, barges, and ocean going shipping vessels. And every time grain is moved from one of these points to another, dust is generated. Dust which must be controlled, captured, and contained. Read the full article

The dust collector is the main ingredient in getting cleaner air for your shop, but if you can’t get the dirty air into the collector efficiently, you risk high energy usage, degraded collector performance, and unsafe conditions in the plant. Learn more about sizing ductwork

Thermal spray is an effective way to apply coatings in a wide range of manufacturing applications. New uses are constantly being explored, and existing applications are often refined to seek more effective coating solutions. Most thermal spray operations require some sort of ventilation to exhaust excess compounds from the thermal spray area. Even well designed thermal spray processes tend to be inefficient with regard to the amount of sprayed material actually landing on the target; 50% deposit efficiency is considered good. Read the full article

Tracking down the source of a dusting problem with your dust collector doesn’t have to take you on a wild goose chase. The step-by-step approach outlined in this article can help you quickly identify what’s behind the dusting so you can fix the problem. Read the full article