Successful installation and start-up of a dust collection system by SysTech Design at a vanilla bean processing plant.
View of dust collector, isolation valve, and fabricated hood
The handling and blending of dry food powders is a typical operation at food processing plants, generating dust particulates that need to be captured to maintain air quality. Most often, these particulates are combustible, and the air cleaning system needs to be designed with explosion protection features. In this application, where vanilla bean extract is in a powdered form, the dust is combustible, and the dust collection system and components were designed to meet NFPA requirements for worker and plant safety.
Equipment stats:
Dust Collector: Donaldson Torit Model DFE 3-18 cartridge dust collector
Filter Elements: Ultra-Web SB (Spunbond Polyester Media)
Exhaust Fan: Cincinnati Fan Model HDBI-160
Explosion Protection: Hoerbiger EVN565 Flameless Explosion Vent
Drum Kit Isolation: IEP inlet isolation valve
Noise Control: 80 dBA fan outlet silencer
System Electrical Controls: 20 HP AyrDyne Control Panel
SysTech worked closely with plant personnel and the process equipment supplier to install a dust collection system that would capture fugitive dust from a new sanitary sifter, paddle blender, and bag filter. A unique balance had to be struck to ensure we didn’t capture good product while still meeting air quality and housekeeping requirements.
A Donaldson Torit Model DFE 3-18 dust collector was selected for 5150 CFM exhaust airflow using a 20 HP Cincinnati Fan. The cartridge filter elements contained Donaldson Ultraweb SB (Spunbond) filter media because of the unique composition of the hygroscopic dust and the necessary filtration efficiency.
Maintaining constant airflow in dust collection systems is important to maintain both in-duct velocity to keep the conveyed dust in suspension and design capture velocity at the pickup hoods. SysTech uses variable frequency drive packages for dust collection systems because they monitor and control exhaust airflow, resulting in enhanced filter life and process optimization. A 20 HP AyrDyne control panel was selected because the user has the option to set VFD parameters upfront and to continually monitor the performance of the unit. The VFD offers maximum efficiency and energy savings, by allowing the system exhaust fan to ramp up or down based on the pressure drop measured across the filters.
Explosion protection included a Hoerbiger EVN565 flameless explosion vent and an IEP Technologies passive isolation valve on the inlet duct. Flameless venting is an option allowing dust collectors to be installed inside a plant, while still meeting safety requirements outlined within the NFPA code.
SysTech’s role was to oversee the installation to ensure everything ran smoothly because none of the process equipment was in place when the dust collection system was purchased. We worked alongside the OEM process equipment supplier and installed the dust collection system as they installed their components. It was a collective effort leading to a successful system installation.
