Industrial dust collectors

The pollution in our workplaces is a topic not to be overlooked; air treatment is essential for the proper functioning of a business.

Good industrial dust collectors will reliably eliminate all types of pollutants such as chips, dust, oil mists, odors, and fumes. These pollutants, in the form of fine particles, always pose a risk to the health of your employees, as well as to the quality of your products and the lifespan of your machines. Our industrial dust collection systems will support you in a wide range of applications such as the wood, chemical, paper, metal, plastic, and textile sectors.

OberA offers a wide range of industrial dust collectors capable of treating different types of dust.

Our different types of dust collection equipment

What is an industrial dust collector?

An industrial dust collector, also known as a dust collection system or extractor, is equipment used to capture and eliminate solid particles and contaminants present in the air of industrial environments. These particles can be generated during production processes, handling of bulk materials, grinding, cutting, spraying, sanding, etc. Industrial dust collectors are designed to capture these particles and prevent their dispersion into the ambient air.

Operating principle of our industrial dust collection equipment

Our industrial dust collection equipment operates on the following principle: pollutants are extracted directly at the source using a capture device, an extraction arm, a back panel, a downdraft table, or an extraction hood. Particle-laden air enters the dust collector from the side or top. Heavier particles settle in the dust collector’s hopper, while lighter dust is trapped on the surface of the filter media.

Clean air passes through the filter media and is drawn by the main fan of the dust collection system. This air can then be discharged back into the building or exhausted to the outside. In some cases, our dust collection systems can be equipped with a second filtration stage, particularly for treating CMR dust or considering the recycling of treated air.

Dust accumulated on the filter media is dislodged by an automatic cleaning device based on the level of clogging, or manually. Separated dust is collected in a dust collection bin.

Different filtration methods are available depending on our dust collection systems:

There are several types of industrial dust collectors, each with its own advantages and specific applications. Here are the most commonly used:

Baghouse dust collectors

Also sometimes called bag filters or bag units, they are widely used in industries for filtering solid particles. They consist of filter bags suspended inside a structure. Dust-laden air passes through the bags, and particles are trapped on the surface or inside the filter media. The bags can be cleaned periodically to remove accumulated particles. There are several methods for cleaning these filter bags (de-dusting); the most common is pneumatic de-dusting (pulse jet), which involves a jet of compressed air inside the filter bags. There are also shaking cleaning systems when dust is easy to dislodge from the media, or brushing cleaning.

Cartridge dust collectors

They are similar to baghouse dust collectors but use cylindrical filter cartridges instead of bags. Filter cartridges have a larger filtration surface and a compact design, making them suitable for confined spaces. Cartridges are typically cleaned by compressed air pulse-jet (jet pulse cleaning) to remove particles.

Cassette dust collectors

They use filter media consisting of cassettes arranged vertically or horizontally. Each cassette is composed of a set of thin filter lamellae made of synthetic material or specialized fabric. These lamellae are pleated to offer an extended filtration surface and maximize dust capture efficiency.

Pocket dust collectors

They use filter pockets suspended horizontally and arranged in rows within the dust collector. They are designed for capturing larger particles and bulk materials.

Wet dust collectors

These are wet industrial dust collectors that use a humidification process to remove solid particles and sometimes gaseous pollutants from the air. When contaminated air comes into contact with sprayed or nebulized water inside the dust collector, solid particles become heavier and settle.

Saturation filter dust collectors

These are industrial dust collectors equipped with filters that have a determined lifespan. The saturation filter allows dust to accumulate directly on the surface of the filter itself until the dust layer reaches a predetermined saturation. This means that the amount of accumulated dust reaches a level where the airflow through the filter is affected and the system needs to be maintained or replaced.

Cyclones

They are dust collection devices that use centrifugal force to separate particles from the air. Contaminated air enters the cyclone in a swirling motion, creating a centrifugal force that pushes particles towards the cyclone walls. Particles settle at the bottom of the cyclone, while purified air is exhausted from the top. Cyclones are effective for coarse and abrasive particles.

OberA industrial dust collectors are available with different cleaning methods

Automatic pulse-jet cleaning:

This cleaning method uses compressed air jets to blow accumulated particles off the filter surfaces.

Advantages :

• Automatic and programmable: Pulse-jet cleaning is usually integrated into the dust collection system and can be programmed to trigger at regular intervals or based on clogging conditions.
• No interruption of filtration: If the dust collector has at least two cartridges, pulse-jet cleaning can be performed without stopping the dust collector’s operation, allowing continuous filtration without disrupting the production process.
• Energy saving: Automatic pulse-jet cleaning is generally designed to minimize compressed air consumption, which saves energy.

Shaker cleaning of filters:

This cleaning method consists of mechanically shaking the filters to dislodge accumulated particles. This technique requires the dust collector to be shut down to perform filter cleaning.

Advantages:

• Simple mechanism: Shaker cleaning uses vibration or shaking mechanisms to dislodge particles, making it relatively simple and easy to implement.
• No compressed air required: Unlike pulse-jet cleaning, this method does not require compressed air, leading to energy savings.

Brushing device cleaning:

This cleaning method uses mechanical brushing devices to remove accumulated particles from the filter surfaces. This can be done automatically or manually.

Advantages:

• Deep cleaning mechanism: Brushing device cleaning allows for deep cleaning of filter surfaces, effectively removing adhering particles.
• Suitable for harsh environments: This method is suitable for industrial environments where particles are highly adhesive, or where sticky materials are present.

Manual pulse-jet cleaning:

Manual jet pulse cleaning involves injecting air into the media via a rotating nozzle or using compressed air guns to manually blow off accumulated particles from the filter surfaces. Although not automated, it can be used in certain specific situations where targeted cleaning is necessary.

Advantages:

• Precise Control: Manual cleaning allows for precise control over the direction and force of compressed air, which can be useful for targeting specific areas that require cleaning.
• Flexibility of Use: This method can be used in situations where automated cleaning is not possible or practical.

The different types of dust treated by our industrial dust collection systems

• Stone dust with Dustomat cartridge or bag filter dust collectors. For silica dust, these devices are available in filtration class H for CMR dusts.
• Non-explosive metallic dusts and chips with cartridge or bag filter dust collectors from the TK, Dustomat, Dustmac ranges.
• Explosive metallic dusts and chips (aluminum, titanium) with wet dust collection systems from the NA-K and Dustomat Hydro ranges, or in some cases with dry dust collectors from the Dustomat or Dustmac ranges.
• Fumes with cartridge dust collection systems (SRF, Dustomat, Dustmac P) or saturation filters (AIRBOX and ePUR EX).
• Dust and wood chips with POWER UNIT and Dustmac dust collection systems in ATEX version and equipped with H-class filters.
• Dust and powders from the food and chemical industries with Dustomat and Dustmac range dust collection equipment.
• Paper and cardboard dust and fibers with AAS, MOBIL and Dustmac dust collection equipment or the ePUR EX range.

How to choose your industrial dust collector

Understand the application requirements:

• Analyze the characteristics of the particles to be treated: size, shape, density, abrasiveness, flammability, etc.
• Identify the specific contaminants present in the air: dusts, fumes, gases, chemicals, etc.
• Evaluate the applicable compliance standards and environmental regulations.
• Assess the airflow rate and operating conditions.

Determine the necessary airflow rate for the industrial process:

• Consider seasonal variations or fluctuations in airflow.
• Take into account the temperature, humidity, and air pressure in the industrial environment.

Choose the appropriate type of dust collector:

• Refer to the descriptions of the different types of dust collectors (bag filters, cartridge filters, cyclones, electrostatic precipitators, etc.) to identify the one best suited to your application’s characteristics.
• Consider the specific advantages of each type of dust collector based on your needs, such as filtration efficiency, collection capacity, ease of maintenance, available space, etc.

Consult a dust collection specialist:

• Seek advice from dust collection experts who can evaluate your industrial environment, your specific needs, and recommend the best solution.
• Manufacturers and suppliers of industrial dust collectors are also a valuable resource for obtaining technical information and specialized advice.

Consider investment and operating costs:

• Evaluate the initial cost of purchasing and installing the dust collector.
• Take into account long-term operating costs, such as maintenance expenses, consumables (filters, cartridges, etc.), and energy.
• Compare the performance and costs of different suppliers to find the best value for money.

Check the supplier’s references and experience:

• Check the references of potential suppliers and review their experience in providing industrial dust collectors for applications similar to yours.
• Do not hesitate to ask for customer testimonials or visit existing installations to evaluate the actual performance of the proposed dust collectors.

In summary, selecting an appropriate industrial dust collector requires a thorough analysis of application requirements, operating conditions, and particle characteristics, and therefore working with industrial dust collection experts.

The advantages of an industrial dust collector

Improved air quality:

Industrial dust collectors effectively remove harmful particles from the air, which helps to improve air quality in the industrial environment. This reduces the risk of respiratory diseases and other health problems associated with inhaling hazardous particles.

Compliance with environmental standards:

Industrial dust collectors help facilities comply with environmental regulations regarding particle emissions. They ensure air pollution levels are kept below authorized thresholds, thereby avoiding potential fines and penalties.

Protection of worker health:

By eliminating hazardous particles from the air, industrial dust collectors help protect worker health. They reduce exposure to harmful substances present in particles, thus preventing occupational diseases and improving overall employee well-being.

Prevention of explosion and fire risks:

In industrial environments where flammable dusts are present, industrial dust collectors play a crucial role in preventing explosion and fire risks. By capturing and eliminating combustible dusts, they reduce potential ignition sources and minimize the risk of serious accidents.

Increased efficiency of industrial processes:

By eliminating undesirable particles from the air, industrial dust collectors help maintain the cleanliness of equipment and facilities. This improves the efficiency of industrial processes by reducing blockages, downtime, and associated maintenance costs.

Environmental protection:

Industrial dust collectors help reduce the environmental impact of industrial facilities by minimizing particle emissions and contaminant releases into the air. This promotes better environmental conservation and preserves air quality in surrounding areas.

Increased equipment lifespan:

By eliminating abrasive particles from the air, industrial dust collectors help reduce wear and deterioration of industrial equipment. This extends their lifespan, reduces replacement costs, and improves the overall productivity of the facility.