Dust Collectors

Many industrial processes produce dust, smoke, or other forms of particulate contamination. Left untreated, these particles render a worksite’s air unsafe to breathe, causing respiratory problems in the short term and other health issues in the long term. Particulate matter can also damage the environment, so its release is often strictly regulated. To deal with these challenges, facilities turn to dust collectors. Dust collectors are highly configurable units designed to filter air so that it is safe for both humans and the planet. 

How Does a Dust Collector Work?

Dust collection is a simple but effective process. First, a powerful blower pulls air into the system’s ductwork, which forces the air through a filter. The filter captures contaminants ranging from <1 micron in width to larger pieces of dust and dirt. The matter remains in the dust collector’s receptacle while the cleaned air is recirculated into the workplace. 

Four critical components work together to make this process possible:

Blower

The dust collector’s blower forces air circulation into the system, through the filter, and then back out into the environment. Most blowers are either centrifugal or axial, with centrifugal blowers using wheels to move air and axial models using propellors. When choosing a collector, you must ensure that the blower has an adequate capacity based on the volume of air you need to move. Other considerations include the operating conditions such as temperature, pressure, and humidity, as well as the types of contaminants being filtered.

Duct

A dust collector’s ductwork must be carefully designed to properly direct airflow. The pipes’ sizes, shapes, and configurations should be chosen based on airflow requirements and the arrangement of other equipment in the facility.

Dust Filter

The dust filter most directly determines air quality. Choosing the right filter media is critical to ensure that all contaminants are properly removed. Common options for filter media include PPS, P84, aramid, fiberglass, and PTFE. Filters are available in different shapes to ensure compatibility with different types of dust collectors.

Receptacle

Once filtered from the air, particles must be collected for future disposal. These receptacles usually take the form of boxes, bags, or drums. Alternatively, some dust collectors include a conveyor to transfer collected matter to a separate site.

Types of Dust Collectors

Dust collectors vary substantially depending on the industry and the specific application. Baghouse collectors are the most common systems, and they are available in a range of configurations. Other options include pulse jet and cartridge dust collectors.

Type Benefits / Advantages Applications
Baghouse (Fabric Filter)
  • Highly versatile
  • Capable of removing very small contaminants
  • High dust load capacity
  • Material handling
  • Metal fabrication
  • Ceramics
  • Glasswork
  • Universities and research labs
  • Powder processing
  • Papermaking
  • Mining
  • Foundries
  • Battery plants
Bin Vents
  • Excellent efficiency for high-volume applications
  • Minimal ductwork for easy cleaning and maintenance
  • Low energy consumption
  • Tank loading
  • Product transfer
  • Conveyor venting
Cartridge Dust Collector
  • Ideal for low-to-moderate dust volumes
  • Removes particulate matter <0.5 microns
  • Compact design for space savings
  • Bulk powder processing
  • Laser & plasma cutting
  • Chemicals
  • Blast cleaning booths
  • Welding
  • Foundries
  • Grinding

US Air Filtration's Dust Collection Expertise

At US Air Filtration, we’ve been experts in the air pollution space for over 50 years, and our team has extensive experience designing and manufacturing complex dust collection systems. We offer both stock and custom industrial dust collectors to handle every contaminant at any processing volume. We also support customers with installation and maintenance services.’

For help identifying the ideal dust collector for your needs, contact the team at US Air Filtration today.