A dust collection system is often needed in facilities such as plastics processing due to high-speed conventional vacuum-conveying systems moving plastic flakes and pellets so rapidly that some become damaged, causing problems such as dust.
A major issue is that pellets of soft materials can bump on conveying tube surfaces. They will then heat up due to friction, leaving smears of material that become stringy like ‘angel hair’. Harder material pellets can also shatter or chip when they hit tube corners or walls, creating ‘fines’ such as dust, particles or small pieces.
All fines, angel hair and dust must be removed before the plastic resin is processed into parts. If they aren’t removed, they will melt much quicker than undamaged pellets and run the risk of burning, leaving discoloured or blackened streaks in finished parts.
To remove them, processors will often implement de-dusting systems or dust collectors into their vacuum conveying systems.
Cyclone dust collection systems supplement the performance of dust-filtering screens which are provided with most conveying systems. They will greatly improve overall dust collection efficiency while also reducing maintenance requirements.
So, how do Cyclone dust collection systems work?
When duct collectors are added to a conveyor system, they are typically placed just before the dust filters that are positioned near the vacuum pump or pumps that drive the conveying system. It spins in a cyclonic motion as the air is pulled through the chamber of the dust collection system towards the vacuum conveying pump at a high speed.
This rapid circular airflow creates a centrifugal force that drives the heavier plastic fines, particles and dust outwards toward the wall of the cyclone’s chamber. The particles hit the wall, lose their velocity and then fall down into a bin or ‘hopper’ that is located underneath the cyclone dust collector.
Integrating a cyclone dust collector provides many benefits for plastics processors such as:
> They will virtually eliminate the risk of conveyor performance problems such as vacuum pump damage being caused due to fixed dust filter-screens becoming clogged from maintenance delays, or when dust filter housings are re-installed incorrectly after filter-screen maintenance.
> They greatly extend the maintenance interval that is associated with dust-collection equipment. In most cases, the only maintenance that is needed is to simple empty and replace the bin which catches the dust.
> They will dramatically reduce the amount of dust that has to be captured in fixed filter screens that are much more difficult to get to, remove and clean.
Are you are discovering that you are suffering from performance issues relating to your conveying system that is due to clogged filters on your receivers and pumps or are constantly emptying the bin on a dust collector? If so, then there is a strong possibility that a cyclone dust collection system will greatly improve your life.
Search online for a leading pipework systems supplier in the UK and start taking advantage of the many benefits of cyclone dust collector today!
