Maintaining proper dust collection in the food industry is a crucial aspect of facility management to meet hygiene standards. With potential shifts in industry perspectives due to food handling concerns, operations managers must stay updated on current and proposed standards. However, establishing correct requirements for each food manufacturing line can be challenging, given the absence of a single ruling body.
Dust collectors play a vital role in upkeeping a clean processing environment, yet they are sometimes overlooked in comparison to other manufacturing equipment needs. Choosing dust collection equipment for the food industry should be based on the specific requirements of each manufacturing process. The type of product, the dust generation point, and the manufacturing stage all influence the selection of dust filtration equipment.
When seeking solutions and optimizing dust collection equipment, companies often turn to in-house experts, corporate Environmental Health and Safety groups, or external consultants. Regardless of the approach, involving the dust collection equipment manufacturer is crucial. Collaborating with these experts simplifies the equipment selection process, as they possess extensive knowledge on effectively collecting and filtering dust.
To determine the correct dust collection solution, it is essential to ask the right questions about the dust’s characteristics, such as wetness, fibrous nature, abrasiveness, explosiveness, or stickiness. Additionally, understanding whether the dust will be reintroduced into the process or become a waste stream is crucial. Collaborating with the dust collection manufacturer, along with in-house processing experts, helps determine suitable solutions for each application.
Assessing the performance efficiency of existing dust collectors and identifying areas with inadequate collection or hazardous conditions is a critical step. Modifying existing dust collectors or investing in new ones depends on the specific requirements of the manufacturing process. Selecting the right combination of dust collection options can lead to space, time, and energy savings.
Various methods contribute to saving space, time, and energy, including compact dust collector configurations with smaller footprints, fans with Variable Frequency Drive controllers for automatic airflow adjustment, and advanced filter media technologies. Newer filter media, such as nanofibers, PTFEs, and spunbonds, along with updated configurations, offer improved performance and extended service intervals.
Food manufacturers, while often more comfortable with traditional collector styles, should explore the latest technologies for enhanced dust collection performance. Upgrading to newer dust collection equipment that incorporates cutting-edge technologies can lead to operational savings. Even if current dust collectors are functional, considering filter media upgrades can offer potential savings. Contact your local CoolAir representative to discuss the dust collection needs of your facility and benefit from their filtration expertise in your process.
