When you work in an industrial environment, one thing is fairly consistent across industries: the work you do creates an excessive amount of dust and other debris. So how do you ensure that the workplace is kept clean and that your lungs are protected from harmful contaminants? The answer lies in having the right equipment. The dust extraction system working principle ensures that any harmful materials are removed from the air, creating a safer and more efficient workplace, making this equipment an absolute must for any industrial facility.

Why Is a Dust Extraction System Needed?

First, it’s important to understand why dust extraction systems are needed in the first place -- as well as where they can have the greatest impact. Dust collection systems are most frequently found in woodworking shops. This is because airborne particulates have been connected with a wide range of severe health conditions, including emphysema and chronic bronchitis. The chemicals and fungi frequently found in wood particles alone can lodge within the lungs and even lead to cancer.

 Of course, wood dust is far from the only type of particulate workers need to worry about. In construction and demolition, dust from concrete, insulation, and other materials can have an equally devastating effect on the lungs.

In an industrial setting, dust collectors are designed to safely remove a wide range of harmful particles and gases, ensuring that any air released into the atmosphere during the work is free from impurities. This helps keep the actual work area clean while also limiting the potential impact that industrial work might have on the surrounding environment.

With an adequate dust extraction system in place, facilities managers are able to keep the workplace clean while also protecting their employees from potentially deadly health hazards. The use of this equipment can truly save lives.

How Does a Dust Collection System Work?

So what are the working principles behind dust extraction systems? There are several varieties available, and choosing the right system for a particular facility will largely depend on the type of dust that is produced on-site. Facilities managers should be aware of factors such as dust particle size and concentration, the characteristics of the dust, and the degree of collection that is necessary.

In most setups, a collection hood will typically be located above the area that produces the harmful dust to ensure efficient extraction. Dust particles are sucked through a series of ducts until they reach the cleaning area. Proper sizing of the ducts ensures the rapid transportation of the gas while also preventing the dust from getting trapped.

Inertial separators are among the most common types of industrial dust collection systems. In minerals processing, inertial separators make use of a centrifugal collector, which uses a cyclonic airstream to separate the dust from the gas. Most inertial separators use a multiple-cyclone system to increase the overall efficiency. These models are typically found in steel mills, sawmills, cement plants, paper plants, and other similar facilities.

Another frequently used dust extraction system is known as a fabric collector or “baghouse.” By using a fabric filter, these systems are able to collect up to 99% of fine dust particles. As dirty air flows through the bag, the particles are caught by the filter, while clean gas is allowed to escape. Also of note are wet scrubbers and electrostatic precipitators (ESPs), which use scrubbing liquids or electrostatic forces to separate the dust from the air. ESPs are often used for toxic or sticky materials, including radioactive particles.

Regardless of the exact operations of the extraction system, processing the dust through these industrial machines subsequently allows clean air to be released from the facility. By eliminating potentially harmful particles from the air, industrial facilities can avoid liability issues and create a better workplace.