Designing a ventilation system always involves considering space constraints. Ductwork, which is essential for air distribution, occupies space within the facility, and its design must efficiently use the available area while ensuring optimal airflow.

Furthermore, complying with NFPA regulations often requires placing dust collectors outside the primary working area due to safety concerns. This external placement adds an extra layer of space management complexity. Additionally, dust collectors are typically mounted on structural supports known as skids, which simplify installation and relocation but also consume additional space within the facility. Therefore, creating an effective ventilation system design requires careful consideration of how these elements harmonize within the given space while meeting safety and efficiency requirements.

Aerodyne's GPC cyclone offers a practical solution for applications where space is a premium concern. Its compact design and efficient performance allow it to seamlessly replace bulkier equipment, making it a space-saving choice for a wide range of industries. By doing so, it not only maximizes available workspace but also simplifies maintenance and enhances operational efficiency. This versatility makes the GPC cyclone a valuable asset, offering a viable and efficient alternative to traditional, space-consuming equipment in various applications. 

Aerodyne GPC Cyclone

The GPC cyclone's compact design offers remarkable space-saving advantages, as it can be accommodated in areas that are only half to a third of the size required for traditional cyclones, as shown in the attached documentation. This compactness often permits indoor placement, aligning with NFPA-654 7.13.1.1.2 (2) regulations. Various industries, including those operating clean rooms, mines, vehicles, and portable systems, can capitalize on these space-efficient attributes.

Furthermore, the GPC cyclone's design introduces the opportunity for installation in smaller spaces, potentially replacing the need for extensive ductwork, including 90° elbows. Additionally, it can serve as an effective pre-filter for existing cartridge collectors, baghouses, and electrostatic precipitators. This adaptability opens doors to innovative system configurations, such as positioning it above a conveyor belt to recapture particulate matter and reintroduce it onto the conveyor, showcasing the versatility and space-saving capabilities of the GPC cyclone.

The GPC cyclone by Aerodyne provides an added advantage by eliminating the need for an equipment skid. Many companies accustomed to traditional cyclones may hesitate to incorporate a pre-filter or cyclone dust collector into their skid or unit due to space constraints. However, GPC cyclones can be conveniently mounted on various equipment, such as on top of a dryer, behind a crusher, or at the inlet of a cartridge collector, without requiring a skid. This flexibility simplifies installation and ensures that space considerations do not impede the adoption of efficient dust collection solutions.

Moreover, the adaptability of GPC cyclones extends to marine applications, where space efficiency is paramount. Unlike traditional cyclones that demand multiple levels of a vessel's decks, a GPC cyclone can be installed on a single deck, greatly enhancing the practicality, serviceability, functionality, and feasibility of incorporating cyclone-based dust collection systems on ocean or lake vessels. This versatility underscores the GPC cyclone's ability to provide effective dust collection solutions without imposing significant space-related limitations. 

With these savings in space, facilities can operate more efficiently and avoid floor space issues. For more information on the GPC, click on the link below or contact Aerodyne at dc@dustcollectorhq.com or by phone at (440) 543-7400.

---

To improve efficiency and safety, there is no substitute for an on-site inspection by an experienced expert. Click below to start with a free 20-minute phone consultation by clicking the button.

Aerodyne manufactures two different types of cyclones - the GPC (Ground Plate Cyclone) and the SplitStream Collector. These Aerodyne cyclones are not the traditional cyclones with which you are probably familiar. Both cyclones can be designed for vertical or horizontal installation; traditional cyclones can only be vertical. The Aerodyne GPC and SplitStream cyclones also provide high particulate removal efficiency. The following describes the different cyclones that are available along with their advantages and disadvantages.

Traditional Cyclone

The typical cyclone design consists of a tangential inlet and a long-tapered body. Centrifugal forces force particulate out toward the walls, and gravitational forces direct the dirty gas stream downward through the narrowing body. As the gas stream becomes constrained in the narrow end of the cyclone body, a phenomenon known as “vortex-reversal’’ occurs in which a secondary inner-vortex is generated and moves upward through the center of the primary vortex where it is exhausted from the collector. Dust near the walls fall into the cyclone hopper and out of the airstream. The traditional cyclone must be vertical in design to operate effectively.

Vortex-reversal is one of the primary causes for inefficiencies in cyclonic dust collectors. As the inner vortex travels up through the cyclone, it takes with it any fine dust particulates that did not have the inertia to be forced tight to the collector walls.

Another issue that can develop with traditional cyclones is that an integral hopper could have dust re-entrainment into the clean airstream. Oftentimes, traditional cyclones will install a dust trap to prevent re-entrainment. The dust trap is located below the cyclone hopper and is designed to minimize particulate re-entrainment. If you’ve seen a cyclone with what looks like a pocket underneath it, it has a dust trap.

Aerodyne GPC Cyclone

The GPC cyclone uses a combination of a sloped spiral inlet and fixed ground plate to provide several distinct advantages over the traditional cyclone dust collector described above. 

First, a spiral inlet directs the dirty gas stream toward the ground plate and hopper of the collector. This efficiently begins the centrifugal motion of the air without any dead spots. The fixed ground plate, utilized by the GPC removes the requirement of a long-tapered hopper. The ground plate provides the vortex-reversal, rather than the geometry of the tapered hopper in traditional cyclones.

As the dirty gas stream strikes the convex ground plate; fine particulate, which has not completely made it to the collector walls, is deflected into the hopper. The ground plate also shields collected particulate from the clean air, acting as a barrier between the separation chamber and collection hopper; Therefore, no separate dust trap is required.

The GPC design allows it to be much smaller than traditional cyclones and includes 6 sizes under 8ft3 per NFPA 654. A GPC cyclone is usually less than half the height of a traditional cyclone. The ground plate also removes the requirement of gravity, so it can be designed for a horizontal installation, with virtually no effect on collection efficiency. The horizontal GPC is around 1/3 of the height of a traditional. The removal efficiency is high (99% of 20 micron particulate*).

* spherical dust, specific gravity of 1

Aerodyne SplitStream Collector

The Aerodyne SplitStream Collector uses two airstreams to remove particulate in the air. The primary air stream enters the cyclone and proceeds through a mechanical spinner. The spinner imparts centrifugal motion into the airstream, thereby forcing dust particulate toward the cyclone walls.

A secondary airflow enters the cyclone near the clean air exit. The secondary air proceeds through nozzles or vanes as it enters the cyclone. The secondary air then rotates around the outer edge of the cyclone, collecting particulates and delivering them into the hopper. The secondary air then reverses direction and joins the primary air and leaves the cyclone. Since the SplitStream Collector has no moving components, it is capable of handling a wide range of materials, while requiring minimal maintenance.

Particulate that is abrasive, fibrous, friable, sticky, or hygroscopic can be separated and collected for air pollution control or reclamation. The secondary air ensures that the dust doesn’t contact the walls. This minimizes wall abrasion for abrasive applications and areas. For particulate that is sticky, the secondary airflow keeps the dust from building up on the walls.

The SplitStream Collector has a very high removal efficiency of light, fluffy particulate that floats in the air. The secondary airstream also gives the option to heat up or cool down the process air and material. Removal efficiencies as high as 99% of 7- 10 micron dust range are normal*.

* as measured in limestone testing

To learn more about the different types of Dust Collection Methods, click here to download our free white paper. To request a brochure of the Aerodyne GPC Dust Collector, please visit www.DustCollectorHQ.com. For more information regarding the full line of Aerodyne industrial dust collection products and material airlock valves, call (440) 543-7400, toll-free at (800) 358-7546, or e-mail dc@dustcollectorhq.com.

---

To improve efficiency and safety, there is no substitute for an on-site inspection by an experienced expert. Click below to start with a free 20-minute phone consultation by clicking the button.

Look under almost any dust collector and you will see a rotary airlock valve spinning its rotor and emptying the collected contents from the hopper. These valves have long been used to maintain a seal in vacuum dust collection systems while simultaneously providing an escape route for the dust. 

The advantages of a rotary airlock for dust collectors include automatic hopper emptying, minimal vacuum pressure loss, and the many options available to meet specific application needs. Rotary valves can be custom fit to handle high temperatures, harsh chemical environments, and abrasive materials. Rotary valves do, however, have a few major drawbacks.

Rotary Airlocks Drawbacks

Because rotary airlocks are sealed tight to the atmosphere they can be very difficult to clean. Cleaning a rotary valve often involves removing the drive assembly, end plate, and finally the rotor. This process can take hours to perform. Rotary valves are also expensive to operate. Typically, these valves are left running continuously, even when there is no dust present in the hopper. This not only wastes electricity but puts undue wear on the valve. Repair and replacement parts for rotary airlock valves can be quite costly as well. Even with these shortcomings, the rotary airlock remains the industry standard for most dust discharge applications.

Non-Powered Automatic Dust Discharge Valve

One alternative which has been gaining popularity is a non-powered automatic dust discharge valve. These valves, like the Armadillo and Platypus Vacu-Valves from Aerodyne, rely on the negative pressure (max -18″ W.C.) of a dust collector to hold a rubber sleeve closed to maintain an airlock. As the weight of the dust in the hopper builds up, the sleeve is forced open and dust is discharged from the valve. Leaf springs inserted into the valves sleeve also help to counterbalance the vacuum. 

 

The valves are available with a variety of sleeve materials for different applications. While these valves cannot be used in every dust collection system they are a very economical alternative to expensive rotary valves.

The Vacu-Valves from Aerodyne are priced at a fraction of the cost of standard rotary airlock valves and require no electricity to operate. These valves have no controls and require no lubrication. They easily handle abrasive materials that would jam or wear out a rotary valve.

---

To improve efficiency and safety, there is no substitute for an on-site inspection by an experienced expert. Click below to start with a free 20-minute phone consultation by clicking the button.

One challenge to designing a manufacturing process is choosing an effective dust collection system that will fit the limited available plant space. Low ceilings pose a challenge for high-efficiency cyclones due to their long-tapered bodies. In many cases, the dust collector must be placed outdoors or partially protruding through the roof. This can be an unfavorable arrangement.

Counter-cyclonic dust collectors, such as the Aerodyne SplitStream™ Dust Collector, use a secondary air stream that directs material toward the collection hopper, and may be installed horizontally with virtually no loss of efficiency.

As the dust-laden gas stream is drawn into the collector, it passes through a stationary spinner which imparts a rotational flow and forces particulate toward the walls of the collector. A powerful secondary air stream is injected into a manifold where it enters the separation chamber through a series of nozzles. The secondary air stream intercepts the collected particulate and carries it to the hopper. Because this design does not rely on gravity to bring the dust to the hopper like conventional cyclones, its operational efficiency is not affected by horizontal installation.

 

This type of dust collector may be suspended from a ceiling, conserving valuable space on the manufacturing floor. It also saves money compared to cutting a hole through the roof or building a site for the dust collector outdoors. Outdoor installation may also encourage condensation that can shorten service life and reduce efficiency. Finally, horizontal, high-efficiency cyclones may be maintained without the need for tall scaffolding that can pose a safety hazard to workers.

 

---

To improve efficiency and safety, there is no substitute for an on-site inspection by an experienced expert. Click below to start with a free 20-minute phone consultation by clicking the button.

For the past several decades, industrial facilities in a wide variety of industries have deployed dust collection systems as part of its manufacturing process. As technology and filtration techniques have improved, these systems have changed and evolved to become more sophisticated, and at times complex.

Dust collectors are used in many industries to improve air quality and remove harmful particles from the air. There are several types of dust collectors that are commonly used in industrial and commercial settings. Here are some of the most common types:

Baghouses

A baghouse consists of a vessel with many filters (bags) inside. The bags are located in rows and mounted on a tube sheet. The tube sheet separates the dirty air from the clean air. Dirty air enters the bag house near the bottom. The dirty air is forced through porous bags which have a built-up filter cake. Clean air goes through the filter/bag and leaves through the top of the vessel, while the dust falls down to be discharged through the hopper.

Cartridge Collectors

Cartridge collectors operate similar to baghouses except they use pleated cartridges to provide much higher surface areas in smaller filter volume than bag filters.  This means they are much smaller than baghouse for the same air volume.  However, the cartridges have lower temperature limits and can plug easily. They are used in the following applications: grinding, sandblasting, welding fumes, laser and plasma cutting fumes, graphite, pharmaceutical powders, acid fine chemical powders, and more. When dusts are difficult to handle, hygroscopic, or high temperature, a baghouse is a better alternative for trouble free dust collection and longer filter life.

 

Cyclone

The cyclone is the simplest design of all dust collectors. It is a mechanical way to remove dust from an air stream. The cyclone uses centrifugal and gravitational forces to force the dust to the vessel walls and then let gravity collect it. The cyclone requires only a discharge valve and fan for operation. Cyclones require very little maintenance. Cyclones are often used as prefilters for other dust collectors.  They can provide high removal efficiencies of larger dust particles, thereby decreasing the loading on the main dust collector, this can increase total removal efficiency, decrease system maintenance and extend equipment life, not to mention collect material before contamination.

ESP (Electro Static Precipitator)

ESPs use high voltage to electrically charge particulate in the air. The charged particulate is collected on charged plates as the air stream passes. ESPs use large amounts of electricity and can get collection efficiencies as high as 99% for many applications. ESPs provide good removal of sub-micron particulate. ESP are expensive and require high operating and maintenance costs.

Wet Scrubbers

Wet Scrubbers are available in a variety of designs including cyclones, venturi, packed towers, cloud chambers and fluidized beds. Wet scrubbers spray water into the dirty airstream allowing dust and water droplets to contact, thereby making them easier to collect.  Wet scrubbers have high removal efficiency but can be expensive to operate and treat the slurry leaving. The wet cyclone is just like a regular cyclone except that they spray water in the cyclone.

 

 

---

To improve efficiency and safety, there is no substitute for an on-site inspection by an experienced expert. Click below to start with a free 20-minute phone consultation by clicking the button.

A dust collector is a mechanical device used to remove dust from an air stream. The dust collection system consists of a hood (or air collection device), the dust collector, the motive fan and any inter-connecting ductwork, stack, dampers, controls, etc. Aerodyne Environmental manufactures cyclone dust collectors and the dust handling valves (airlocks) mounted on the dust collectors. 

To properly specify a dust collector, certain information is required:

1. Dust collector type – Cyclone, baghouse, etc.
2. Airflow (CFM) – The amount of air going through the collector. The airflow is critical to sizing a dust collector and without airflow no collector can be sized.
3. Temperature, pressure, humidity of airflow – Higher temperature, pressure, and humidity will affect collector materials of construction, size and may require special valves and controls.
4. Dust description* – The better you describe your dust the better your dust collector will operate. Example a sticky dust will bind a cartridge collector which will require frequent cleaning and/or replacing of the cartridges. While cyclones are well suited for sticky particulate.
   
   a. SG or density of the dust/particulate – the greater the density, the easier it is to remove.
   
   b. Dust/particulate loading (lbs/hr) – amount of dust.
   
   c. Particulate size distribution (microns) – how big is the dust (smaller dust is removed in baghouse but larger dusts can be effectively removed in a cyclone).
   
   d. Fibrous, abrasive, hydroscopic, granular, tendency to bridge, sticky, etc. (dust with these properties can wreck havoc on baghouses and cartridge collectors.
5. Removal efficiency required – The greater the removal efficiency, the more expensive the design will be.
6. Materials of construction required – from carbon steel to stainless and high alloy steel, the materials of construction affects price. Process conditions (temperature, gas/air composition, dust composition and humidity) can require specific materials of construction. (Example: salt in a humid environment requires stainless steel to prevent corrosion.)
   
   *If unknown, a pilot unit can often be rented from the manufacturer to test on your existing system.

---

To improve efficiency and safety, there is no substitute for an on-site inspection by an experienced expert. Click below to start with a free 20-minute phone consultation by clicking the button.

Dust collection systems pick up dust generated by process equipment and move it away for disposal or to be recycled. They use hoods to gather the air around the dust generation equipment. The dusty air is then sent to the dust collection equipment through ductwork. The dust collection equipment often consists of a pre-filter to help collect the dust followed by the main dust collector. An exhaust fan is often at the end and it powers the system by pulling the air through each of these components.

Cyclones

Cyclone dust collectors are very dependent on the airflow that is going through them. Cyclone pressure drops are based on many factors, but the two most important are the geometry of the cyclone and the volumetric airflow through the cyclone. The pressure drop formula of a cyclone has the square of the volumetric airflow through the cyclone. So, doubling the airflow will quadruple the pressure drop (2x ACFM leads to 4x dp). If your airflow changes through the system, the pressure drop through your cyclone can fluctuate. 

Since dust collection system static requirements are all related, the exhaust fan will find its operating condition naturally. However, if the airflow decreases, then the removal efficiency of cyclone will decrease too. This means the cyclone will remove less of the finer dust particles, thereby sending them on to the filters. That will cause greater dust loading for the filters, which could increase the frequency of cleaning (more plant air usage, greater filter wear, etc.) and decrease the lifespan of the filters.

Filter Collectors

Filter collectors would actually benefit from lower airflow. The lower airflow would decrease the air to cloth ratio, which can extend the life of the filters. However, as described in the rest of this paper, the overall performance of the dust collector system will decrease. And if the system has a cyclone dust collector, the benefits gained by a lower a/c ratio could be counteracted by higher dust loading coming through the cyclone.

Higher airflow will increase the air to cloth ratio and could put more strain on the filters. The velocity of the air going through the filter could increase enough that holes in the filters could develop, thereby causing dust to bypass the filters.

However, filter collectors have a pretty good range of airflows they can handle without significant effect on the system. Unlike cyclones, the pressure drop in a filter is based less on airflow and more on the filter pack on them.

---

To improve efficiency and safety, there is no substitute for an on-site inspection by an experienced expert. Click below to start with a free 20-minute phone consultation by clicking the button.

The exhaust fan provides the motive force for the dust collection system. The exhaust fan has a performance curve that defines how much airflow it will pull at a certain static pressure. When you turn on a fan, it will ramp up and increase the airflow until reaching the maximum static pressure it can provide.

As most exhaust fans are centrifugal fans, the curves show that the lower the airflow, the higher the static pressure. This means that as the airflow increases the static pressure decreases. When the airflow in a system changes, this means the static pressure required in the system has changed, so the system performance has changed per the exhaust fan curve.

When The Airflow Is Higher

With higher airflow, the operating point will move further right on the fan curve. Generally, this won’t affect the fan much. The efficiency of the fan could change, but the overall affect would be minimal. If this change takes the fan off its curve, then you could develop operational issues with the fan. However, this isn’t a common occurrence.

When The Airflow Drops

A much greater issue is when the airflow drops. This moves the operational point to the left of the curve. Most centrifugal curves have the static pressure of the fan level out as the airflow decreases. If you get to this flat part of the curve, the fan could provide unstable performance, where the airflow jumps around. For example, the fan curve can show that between 0 ACFM and 800 ACFM the fan provides 12” W.C. This means when you get into this area your airflow can fluctuate anywhere from 0 to 800 ACFM. This can cause issues throughout your system and isn’t a good place on the curve for the fan to operate.

When you are operating a dust collection system it is imperative that you maintain the airflow in the system within design criteria. If it increases too much it can cause added expenses, maintenance, and product loss. If it decreases too much it will let dust escape, lower removal efficiency, and possibly create dangerous environments. So, we highly recommend regular, if not continuous, monitoring of your process airflows to be sure you’re operating within design parameter.

---

To improve efficiency and safety, there is no substitute for an on-site inspection by an experienced expert. Click below to start with a free 20-minute phone consultation by clicking the button.

Dust collection systems pick up dust generated by process equipment and move it away for disposal or to be recycled. They use hoods to gather the air around the dust generation equipment. The dusty air is then sent to the dust collection equipment through ductwork. The dust collection equipment often consists of a pre-filter to help collect the dust followed by the main dust collector. An exhaust fan is often at the end and it powers the system by pulling the air through each of these components.

Dust Collector System with Ductwork

The first stage of the dust collection system are the collection hoods. Well-designed hoods are engineered so the dust generated by the equipment can be collected with the least amount of airflow possible. Once the dust leaves the pickup hoods, it travels through ductwork until it reaches the dust collector(s). In a well-designed dust collector system, the ductwork will be sized so that the airflow has enough velocity to keep the dust from falling out in the ductwork. Usually, the airflow needs to be between 4000 and 5500 FPM to keep dust from falling out. So, if the airflow in the system changes from its designed conditions the velocity in the ductwork will also change.

When The Airflow Is Too High

With too high of an airflow, the air velocity in the ductwork will increase. This will cause increased pressure drop in the system but it will also increase the erosion of the ductwork walls by particles making contact with the walls. Increased erosion of the duct walls will cause holes to develop, which will further affect the airflow in the system

When The Airflow Is Too Low

With too low of an airflow, the air velocity in the ductwork will decrease and could allow dust to begin dropping out and building up within the ductwork. This can cause the ductwork to become heavy and fall. If the dust is explosive, this dust can cause or feed an explosion and is a safety risk. If enough dust piles up, it could end up plugging the ductwork, thereby cutting off airflow through the ductwork.

---

To improve efficiency and safety, there is no substitute for an on-site inspection by an experienced expert. Click below to start with a free 20-minute phone consultation by clicking the button.

Dust collection systems pick up dust generated by process equipment and move it away for disposal or to be recycled. They use hoods to gather the air around the dust generation equipment. The dusty air is then sent to the dust collection equipment through ductwork. The dust collection equipment often consists of a pre-filter to help collect the dust followed by the main dust collector. An exhaust fan is often at the end and it powers the system by pulling the air through each of these components.

Well-Designed Hoods

The first stage of the dust collection system are the collection hoods. Well-designed hoods are engineered so the dust generated by the equipment can be collected with the least amount of airflow possible. The amount of airflow required by a hood is dependent on a variety of factors including, how the dust is generated, distance of the hood to the equipment, and the size and shape of the hood. How the dust is being generated and the distance of the hood from the equipment both affect the minimum velocity the air needs in the hood. While the size and shape of the hood affects the total airflow that hood requires for proper dust collection (velocity x area= airflow).

A properly designed dust collection system will have enough velocity in the hood to collect the dust being generated. The exhaust fan will have enough static pressure to keep this velocity after all the pressure drops in the system (ductwork, pre-filter and dust collector). Now, if for some reason the airflow is not at the design velocity at the hood, then the dust collection from the process will be affected.

When The Airflow Is Too High

If there is too high of an airflow in the system, the airflow through the hood will also be too high. This means that the velocity through the hood is also higher than designed. The greater airflow (velocity) will mean the hood will have greater suction around the equipment. While the hood will pick up the nuisance dust that you want collected, it could also collect material that you want to stay on a conveyor, table, etc. This will cause higher dust loading in the system. It will also mean that the dust collector is collecting valuable material that should be used in the process or is product. This will increase the waste of the system, thereby increasing costs. The greater dust loading in the system will also cause more maintenance in the ductwork and dust collector.

When The Airflow Is Too Low

If there is too low of an airflow in the system, then the airflow through the hood will also be too low. This means that the velocity through the hood is lower. This will allow dust that is being generated by the process equipment to escape the dust collection system by not being collected in the first place. The dust that escapes the dust collection system will settle on the surrounding equipment. This will cause increased housekeeping in the plant to prevent dust buildup. Dust buildup could become a fire and explosion hazard and/or cause increased maintenance on plant equipment.

Monitoring the airflow in the dust collection system will allow you to make sure the airflow at the pickup hoods is correct which will prevent dust from escaping from the system which would cause additional issues or too much material being collected which would cause loss of profits.

---

To improve efficiency and safety, there is no substitute for an on-site inspection by an experienced expert. Click below to start with a free 20-minute phone consultation by clicking the button.