5 ways a dust collection system can lead to a more sustainable factory
An effective dust collection system can help ensure you have a sustainable plant and operation that cuts risks to workers and the environment.
As The Fabricator website points out, processes such as thermal spraying generate fine dust particles, and these carry a high risk of pulmonary problems for workers. Dust collection systems designed to deal with these kinds of risks provide more sustainable working conditions for employees –http://www.thefabricator.com/article/shopmanagement/reducing-thermal-spray-hazards-with-proper-dust-collection.
So follow these five steps to ensure your plant, factory or workshop is protecting both employees and the environment.
1 Use a dust collector that is environmentally compliant
Check for emissions and handling standards for the dust that you are collecting. If it is very hazardous, there will be regulations at every step and you may have to install special high-efficiency filters and specialist dust extraction equipment.
2 Make sure your dust collector is up to the job
An under-sized dust collector is not a sustainable choice because it will not provide sufficient air flow. And if activity at the factory increases, it will cease to operate reliably and will become subject to breakdowns. If the operating pressure drop is too high you may have to change filters constantly. All of this means that a smaller unit can actually use more energy than a larger one – not a sustainable strategy.
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3 Choose strong equipment for a longer life
It’s much greener to buy equipment that will last. In general, that means well-made and robust dust collectors that aren’t going to need replacing soon after being installed. Check that the metal is a sufficiently heavy gauge to cope with the job without buckling or showing signs of wear.
4 Green your supply chain
There’s no reason that a ductwork blast gate damper in a dust collection system can’t be green. Just check that it comes from a reputable company such as dustspares.co.uk, who are themselves environmentally compliant, rather than the cheapest possible part you can find.
5 Use long-life filters
We’ve got used to long-life bulbs as part of sustainable living but the same principle can be applied to plant operations. Long-life cartridges or other types of filter use fewer materials and therefore need less maintenance intervention.
They also mean less waste to your local landfill which has to be a good thing.