Industrial Dust Collection System Checklist

By Bart Eggert, Product Manager

It would be great if you could simply order a stock dust collector, pull it out of the box, plug it in and never think about it again. Unfortunately, as every plant manager and plant engineer knows all too well, this just isn't the case. Once a dust collector has been sized for an application there are still a number of things to address before and after installation in order to make sure this important piece of process equipment operates efficiently and reliably. Whether you are installing a baghouse, cartridge filter, cyclone, or any combination of these types of dust collectors, taking a close look at some critical areas in advance can save a lot of time, money, and headache down the road. While some of these suggestions may seem obvious, if ignored they can bring undue cost and grief to a dust collection project.

Here are a few critical areas that must be addressed in order to make sure the installation and operation of your dust collection system runs smoothly.

Sizing

• Check the overall dimensions of the selected dust collector to make sure it will fit in the desired location.
• Be sure to account for clearances necessary for bracing, fans, discharge valves, collection containers, ductwork, and other controls that will be installed along with the dust collector.
• Make sure adequate space is left for personnel to perform routine maintenance and inspections on the dust collection system.

Discharge Airlock Valve

• Get the right valve for the job. The valve you use to empty your dust collector will play a large role in how efficiently your system runs. Be sure the valve selected is capable of handling the type of dust you are collecting.
• Make sure the valve is capable of providing a proper airlock for your dust collection system to avoid major pressure drops.
• Look for signs of wear that can cause the valve to leak. Check for leaks around flanges and shafts of rotary airlock valves.
• Consider a non-powered automatic valve for power and maintenance savings.

Fans and Controls

• Verify static pressure of your entire air handling system before specifying a fan. Subtle changes in the system such as the size and type of ductwork used can have a great impact on the static pressure the fan will need to work against.
• Adjust drive belts, dampers, or variable frequency drives (VFD) to achieve the best possible performance.
• Examine fan blades for dust buildup which can cause excess load on the drive motor or cause the fan to become imbalanced.
• Inspect drive belts for wear or slippage - a slipping belt can create inefficiencies and inconsistent performance of a dust collector.

Gauges

• Make sure gauges are installed in a convenient location where they can be frequently monitored.
• Periodically check pitot tubes and manometers for clogging which will cause them to give inaccurate readings.
• Monitor inlet velocity pressure to be sure inlet velocities are operating within the specification of the dust collector.
• Monitor static pressures at the dust collector's inlet, outlet, and hopper. Gauges can be used to pinpoint problems in the dust collection system such as blinded filter bags, clogged inlet or outlet, and clogged hoppers.
• Gauges can be used to activate a safety shutoff if static pressures rise to an unsafe level.

Maintenance and Performance

• Inspect inside of the dust collector for dust buildup on interior walls. Remove buildup which can cause collection inefficiencies or even clog some types of material handling valves.
• Inspect and replace worn cartridge filters and filter bags when needed. Filter bag cages and retainers may need to be replaced as well.
• While mechanical dust collectors such as cyclones require far less regular maintenance than filter-type collectors, they should be inspected periodically for material build up and abrasive wear.

See entire issue.