Whole Plant dust collection running 9 lines and built in expansion - NFPA

Known Issues:

  • Nine (9) production lines but not all production lines run 24/7/365.

  • Production lines are being added one every two (2) months till complete.

  • Additional Equipment and production lines are being planned for in the near/far future.

  • Hydroscopic dust absorbs moisture and becomes tacky and can easily plug standard filters.

  • Dust contains food product, so bug harbors are an issue.

  • Indoor air temp in January = 65 degrees F / Outdoor air temps as low as -50 degrees F.

  • Large quantity of fugitive dust from production process.

  • Dust may contain substances that cannot be introduced into the environment per DNR.

  • All dust is combustible, so Fire and Explosion mitigation are required.

  • Heat Loss is an issue so returning the air back into the building is required.

  • Dust Hazard Analysis needs to be done to determine Kst and Pmax values of dust.

  • Production equipment requires custom hooding and duct work on most drops.

  • Large air volume and large diameter pipe 40" return air pipe.

  • NFPA Strategy must be identified and approved by AHJ (Authority having Jurisdiction).


Provided Solutions:

  • Provide two (2) Donaldson Torit DLMC 6/6/15 collectors with extra air volume in each system to allow for future expansion.

  • Use Donaldson Torit Dalmatic envelope style bag collector with oleophobic filters to ensure dust will release from filters during cleaning.

  • Independently duct each production line to dust collector and use VFD Drive and Air Flow control system so that each production line can be operated independently while maintaining NFPA required minimum in duct air velocity to avoid dust falling out in dust work on the way to the collector.

  • Build dust collector on large leg extensions to allow for a full-sized dumpster (sealed) to be placed under the dust collector to limit man hours required to replace collection containers.

  • Use steep sided hoppers with access clean out openings for maintenance.

  • Provide safety ladders and platforms for filter changeouts and general maintenance.

  • Provide Dessicant regenerative dryers for the compressed air lines that are servicing the dust collector.

  • Provide Basic cold weather climate kit (solenoid enclosure heaters) to make sure valves do not freeze in low temps.

  • Use Flanged round industrial duct outside the building.

  • Use flat lip clamp together pipe inside the building to allow for mobility and to remove bug harbors (no rolled lip pipe).

  • Use automatic air driven blast gates (low voltage) to open/close (start/stop) individual duct runs.

  • Provide vibration isolation base for ground mounted fan system.

  • Provide required NFPA solutions for fire and explosion mitigation.