Cement Dust Compressor Intake Filtration

Is there no way to get an intake vent above the average dust level???

reverse cycle dust bag collectors, cement dust is very fine, cyclone filters will take most of the bigger chunks out, but fine dust, I'm not too sure it will happily remove.

the "Reverse Pulse" idea works by a air pulse inside the filter bags, litrally punching a pressure pulse inside the bags, loosening the collection from the bag sidea and allowing it to fall to the base.

My idea is, if its dangerous to walk into the area where the intake is, and you need breathing apparatus, then most possibly your compressor will need its own breathing apparatis too..

Australia..

Controlled Enviroment

Filtaire

International..

Donaldson

Try progressive reduction using cyclones followed by baghouse filters.

Try with standard absolute filters ,at the intake of one compressor , to see its effectiveness. Normally such compact filters come with a frame and you can have a cone to connect it with the intake. I think sizes are 500mmX500mm . They have capability to arrest finest dusts with low pressure drop. Put a differential pressure gauge or manometer accross to see how long the filter will last.

Hi airmek, You do not say where you are, nor do you say what compressors they are.

To keep dust out a room- positive pressure would help make the whole room dust free.

one of the problems many maintenance guys have is that they are given a number of compressors on a pad...or in a ventilated room and told keep it running.

All the anwers are correct but look at the costs to do each ..and you might find the to rebuild the house and fit a pressure system might just come out cheaper.

Hi,

Donaldson brand cyclonic dust traps. They work. Consult with them and I'm sure there is a solution. The devices come in a variety of sizes, and configurations.

Cheers,

Stu.

Given that there are aire quality problems with both cooling air flow and with air intake, you will need to apply multiple solutions. Due to the air volumes and velocities, expect to open up your checkbook, big time.

Consider using multiple stages of air filtration for air intake and cooling air.

You have several good answers presented to research. Inertial air separation can deal with the heavier dusts, and final filters to remove finer dusts. Cheaper pre-filter will probably need weekly changing but can prolong the life of more expensive final filters.

Oversize the filter area for longer filter life and less time spent on pressure changes.

install differential pressure measurement across filters to monitor when filters need changing.

If this looks too expensive, (and this does cost money and time!) another alternative is to factor the cost of a continuous compressor replacement policy. Buy a 7th compressor, and every 2 months install a replacement. Write it off as a cost of being in a cement dust environment. If it seems too expensive, compare the cost of a high quality dust filter for the coolers and compressor intakes.

Not sure if this will help in your instance but here we have problems with fine paper dust particles. What we have done is to use pvc pipe and run the intake through the roof and use the outside air on the intake side of the compressor. Also our compressors are water cooled so there is no problem with the cooling fins being compromised with dust contamination.

You will need to double check to make sure that your stack height does not restrict the air flow to the compressor.

On my 50 hp Quincy I am using a 8" diameter stack pipe which reduces down to the existing 4" intake on the unit itself. Simple rubber coupling keep it all sealed tight and the filter is a high flow filter sized to fit the end of the pipe and it held in place with a rubber coupling at on end and a spring tensioned cap on the other.

Hope this helps.

I am vipin Dave - Technical Advisor from India. I can be approached at vipindave@hotmail.com

I suggest that you plan for room pressurization system. This means

1. Put all ccompressors in one room.

2. Keep the room fully closed.

3. Install centrifugal fan with Auto viscous filter before fan. Auto viscous filter should be continuously moving as curtain and air sucked by fan should be through this filter.

4. Throw this filtered air into the closed room.

5. Air will escape from the slits of doors and windows. It will not allow dirty air to come in.

6. Dust will get trapped in curtain. Go to oil bath. Get dislodged into oil bath. You have to replace oil at regular intervals.

I have suggested this system in cement plants and are successful.

vipin dave

Also, you should be looking at trying to minimise the concrete dust at the source too.

pulling the dust down via an extraction system, or if cutting, "wet" cutting, or some combination of wet extraction and recycling/compaction of the slurry, remember, if the compressors are suffering from the dust issue, the workers will also be suffering, a possible OH&S issue?