Simple Timers

For many years, pulse-jet baghouses were cleaned by simple timers.  The timers would start the cleaning cycle every so many minutes.  You would be able to change how often your filters are cleaned by changing the time between each cleaning.  This design makes sure that the filters are cleaned regularly, whether they need to be cleaned or not.  The main issue with this is that every time a filter is cleaned, it increases the chances of it failing.  Filters are cleaned by pulsing high pressure air into the filter.  This expands the filter, which causes the top layers of dust to fall off.  But that expansion can also cause holes or rips in the filters.

Pulse-On-Demand Controller

So it would be beneficial to minimize the cleaning of the filters to only when it’s needed.  The pulse-on-demand controller does just this.  It measures the pressure drop across the filters.  When the pressure drop gets over a certain amount, it will begin the cleaning process.  Many of these controllers also have “bag break” technology, which will tell you when one of the filters has a hole.  You will then be able to replace the filters only when they are needed.  Some controllers can even isolate the row where the broken bag is located, so you won’t have to replace all the filters.

Installing a Clean-on-Demand controller, “bag break” technology, and cyclone pre-filters (Check out other Aerodyne blogs for more info) can help you decrease the maintenance on your filters, extend filter life, and lower operating costs (less air usage).

 

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To learn more about which dust collector, please contact our experts at 440-543-7400 or visit our website: www.dustcollectorhq.com.

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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.

Do the rotary valves under your dust collectors cause maintenance headaches?  Are they clogging?  Are you having to drop everything and assign extra labor to fix them?

The disadvantages of Rotary Valve

Most dust collectors are equipped with a motor-driven rotary airlock valve that empties contents from the hoppers. Rotary valves have been used for many years and are probably the most widely used airlock design. However, maintaining rotary valves is difficult and time consuming. These valves run continuously, regardless if dust is present, which leads to wasted electricity. In addition, the valves can wear out rapidly, resulting in costly repairs and replacements.

Best Alternative: Aerodyne Vacu-Valve ^®

A highly cost-effective alternative is Aerodyne’s Vacu-Valve ^®  Trickle Valve System. The Vacu-Valve relies on the negative pressure of the material handling system to hold the duckbill sleeve closed. As the dust or material builds up, the sleeve is forced open, allowing the contents to discharge. Once emptied, the negative pressure then immediately closes the duckbill again. This trickle valve system requires no lubrication, power, or controls. Materials that would normally jam or wear out a rotary airlock valve, the Vacu-Valve handles with ease. There is a variety of duckbill sleeve options designed for specific applications; and the Aerodyne Vacu-Valve ^® is available in an open or closed design, to further accommodate the particular application.

Aerodyne’s Vacu-Valve ^® is the solution! Have a look at this infographic and to learn how the Vacu-valve solves these issues and improves the discharge efficiency of your baghouse, filters and cyclones.

 

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How Do Vacu-Valve Dust Valves Work?

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To learn more about which dust collector, please contact our experts at 440-543-7400 or visit our website: www.dustcollectorhq.com.

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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.

As maintenance staffs become smaller and have less time to do preventative maintenance, technology needs to step in and help. 

Level Switches

That is where level switches in dust collector hoppers fit in.  An airlock works by allowing dust from the dust collector to leave the vessel while preventing air from leaking in or out of the system.  Some airlocks operate by emptying the hopper as soon as dust falls and some require a buildup above them to help seal the valve and provide motive force. 

The main thing is, that dust often times will not constantly be falling through the valve.  This means that walking next to a vessel won’t always tell you if the airlock is operating correctly. 

Installing a level switch in the hopper will help.  The level switch measures the amount of material in the hopper and if too much is in the hopper it will provide a signal (alarm).  This will tell maintenance that the airlock is not operating correctly and it needs to be investigated.  Depending on the system’s controls, the alarm can be a local alarm (light and/or horn) or feed into the central computer.

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Dust collection systems can range from being fairly simple to extremely complex. 

It’s important to know that you have the proper system for your application. Some questions always come up when looking at dust collection systems.

To make life easier, we have put together some common questions we get asked along with answers and explanations. Have a look.

Volume 1:  

Volume 2:

 

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To learn more about which dust collector, please contact our experts at 440-543-7400 or visit our website: www.dustcollectorhq.com.

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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.

When your dust collectors are having issues, one of the first places to look is the airlock valve.  Often times, dust is hygroscopic and when outside air leaks into the system, humidity follows.  This can cause the dust to absorb the humidity and become sticky or harden like cement.  This can lead to plugged filters, hoppers and damage to rotary valves.  While rotary valves are the industry standard airlock, they constantly allow air leakage.  A low leakage valve is required. Double dump valves however are very low leakage, since there is no direct connection to the outside atmosphere.  The valve always isolates the conditions above it from the conditions below it.  This minimizes air leakage, thereby minimizing humidity from affecting the dust.

So if you have a non-explosive application that is hygroscopic, look into a double dump (flap) valve.

Find out more information now.

If you are having operational issues on your dust collection system, contact Aerodyne at 440-543-7400 or dc@dustcollectorhq.com.

In order for a dust collector to operate at its peak performance, the hopper has to be isolated from the outside.  This means either the dust bin/receptacle is “hard connected”, meaning there are no air leaks or an airlock is used.  An airlock isolates the dust collector hopper from the outside, while allowing the collected dust to exit the system.  Common airlocks are rotary valves, trickle valves, double dump valves, and knife gates.  Some airlocks are low leakage (double dump valve and trickle valves) while others have continuous leakage (rotary valves). 

Airlocks are important because without them air will enter (system under vacuum) or leave (pressurized system) through the dust discharge valve.  If the system is under vacuum, the air entering the system from the dust discharge will re-entrain the dust back into the clean air, thereby lowering removal efficiency.  If the system is under pressure, air will blow out of the bottom, spreading dust everywhere, creating unnecessary maintenance cost for the facility.

If the system is dealing with an explosive dust, an airlock should be used to prevent an explosion from propagating from the dust discharge flange.  Specially designed rotary valves are used to prevent this.

Furthermore, airlocks allow you to change the dust bin without shutting off the system.  If you don’t have an airlock, when you need to change your dust bin, you either have to turn off the system, or operate the unit without any isolation. 

So when you are spending money to capture your dust in a dust collector, don’t forget to put an airlock on it, so you will have the best performance possible.

Read our article on what type of airlock valves to use in particular applications.

If you are having operational issues on your dust collection system, contact Aerodyne at 440-543-7400 or dc@dustcollectorhq.com.