A Canadian aerospace firm was considering upgrading its existing dust collectors, which were used to handle combustible dust generated during high-velocity oxygen fuel (HVOF) coating, blasting, and grinding operations. Initially, they planned to retrofit five outdated units to comply with NFPA standards within a four-week plant shutdown. However, Wayne Zimmer, the regional manager at Camfil Air Pollution Control, advised against this approach and suggested investing in new dust collectors instead.
Camfil APC refrains from retrofitting dust collectors due to the inherent risks and costs involved. Retrofitting is costly, requiring substantial investment in engineering without addressing the core problem of aging machinery. Additionally, assessing the structural integrity of old, fatigued components is challenging, increasing the likelihood of operational failures.
Zimmer and his team proposed one of Camfil APC’s newer dust collectors to help the manufacturer achieve NFPA compliance. These modern units offer a quicker and simpler installation process, avoiding the pitfalls and delays typically associated with retrofitting older models.
After weighing the advantages and disadvantages, the client decided to transition to Camfil. The dust collection systems, installed three years ago with filter cartridges, have functioned flawlessly without needing any replacements. Encouraged by this success, the customer now intends to replace all remaining outdated dust collectors with NFPA-compliant units.
To learn more about their journey, you can watch the full story narrated by Wayne Zimmer in this video.
Combustible dust presents significant fire and explosion hazards for numerous manufacturers. It arises during various manufacturing and packaging processes involving combustible materials. Common sources include organic substances like paper, rubber, and sugar, metals such as aluminum and magnesium, wood, chemicals, and textiles.
The HVOF spraying, blasting, and grinding processes utilized by the aerospace company mentioned earlier are prime examples of activities generating combustible dust. Once airborne, these particles can ignite and explode upon encountering an ignition source like friction, static electricity, or open flames. Such incidents can cause equipment damage, facility destruction, worker injuries, and even fatalities.
According to DustEx Research Ltd., between January 1 and July 1, 2023, there were 159 fires, 32 explosions, 71 injuries, and 48 fatalities linked to combustible dust globally. U.S. historical data reveals an average of 28.4 combustible dust explosions annually between 2016 and 2023, leading to 28 injuries and 3.5 fatalities per year.
Preventive measures have significantly reduced these occurrences. Strategies include implementing robust dust collection systems capable of capturing combustible dust and incorporating explosion protection equipment.
Determining whether your dust is combustible requires specialized testing by an accredited laboratory adhering to NFPA, ASTM, or similar standards. Consistent methodologies ensure reliable and comparable outcomes. The Kst value serves as a critical benchmark for assessing dust explosiveness; for instance, magnesium with a Kst of 508 is highly explosive, whereas charcoal with a Kst of 10 is not.
When dealing with combustible dust, not just any dust collection system suffices. Proper filtration and explosion protection are essential to prevent the collector itself from becoming a source of explosions due to accumulated explosive dust.
Camfil’s Gold Series industrial dust collectors effectively remove all types of toxic and combustible dusts and fumes from environments. Equipped with an explosion protection system surpassing NFPA and ATEX standards, they safeguard workers from occupational hazards and dust explosions. Watch this short video for more insights into this collector.
For tailored recommendations based on your specific needs, consult our dust collection experts who can suggest the best solutions to mitigate combustible dust risks and enhance facility safety.
Discover more about our offerings and why many businesses choose Camfil to design and construct their comprehensive dust collection systems.
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