Dust Testing Capabilities

Are You Satisfied With Your Dust Collection Equipment?

Video Microscope

This video microscope allows detailed visual inspection of dust or fume. Physical characteristics including shape, abrasion, adhesion, cohesion and other traits can be analyzed with the highest degree of accuracy. this analysis helps to determine selection of a bag vs. cartridge type system.

Close Up of Dust

Small particles such as this spice dust pose the greatest challenge to dust collectors. This sample has been magnified 200 times by the microscope. The arrow points to an example of fine particulate that can bleed through many filter media.

Dust Samples

The Camfil APC test laboratory in Jonesboro, AR has tested hundreds of customer supplied dust samples for analysis.

Have you ever experienced plugged filters, high emissions or other system problems? If so, you're not alone. Industry experts estimate that 80% of all dust collectors do not operate satisfactorily!

The reason: Proper design and selection of dust collection equipment is a complex task. Doing it right involves comprehensive analysis of the challenge contaminant, system operating conditions and many other factors. Yet all too often, equipment decisions are based on guesswork rather than FACTS. As a result, many dust collectors do no perform as expected.

The Solution: Testing, Testing, Testing

Camfil APC recognizes that a dust collection system is a major capital investment and - if it's not functioning properly - a costly operating expense. So to help you invest wisely, we've built a state-of-the-art dust collection test facility that's unparalleled in the industry.

Here, we can perform a battery of tests on your sample dust, including simulated challenges that no other manufacturer can equal. We analyze your performance requirements in depth. We use this information to develop the best collection system for your needs. No guesswork. No assumptions.

Dust Testing Methods

Camfil APC can perform comprehensive bench tests on your dust using the following methods:

Particle Size Analysis

This reveals the dust's particle size distribution down to the submicron range. This information determines the filtration efficiency required to meet emissions standards. The dual-laser particle analyzer shown in Figure1 can pinpoint both the count (the number of particles of a given size) and the volume or mass spread of the dust. Knowing both is important because many dusts are mixed.

For example, the exhaust dust from a plasma cutter includes submicron carbon particles mixed with much larger steel particles. Scientific testing is the only way to identify the tiny particles of carbon dust, which helps you choose the appropriate equipment and filter media. Sieve analysis is a related test that measures particle size larger than 100 microns.

Video Microscope

This provides visual analysis of the dust shape and characteristics. Together with particle size analysis, this tool is vital for proper equipment selection, often helping to determine what type of collector should be used. For example, a microscope may be needed to see oil in the dust-a common occurrence with processes involving oily steel. Oil can cause serious problems with dry-dust collectors, sometimes dictating the use of an alternate system.

Pychnometer

This testing apparatus determines the true specific gravity of the dust as opposed to the bulk density. Specific gravity is the weight of a given material as a solid block. For example, aluminum weighs 165 pounds per cubic foot. Bulk density is the weight of the same material in the form of dust. For example, flame-sprayed aluminum dust weighs only 1 to 2 pounds per cubic foot. Pychnometer testing can help to determine the efficiency of cyclonic-type dust collectors.

Moisture Analyzer

This equipment measures a dust's moisture percentage by weight. This information can help to prevent or troubleshoot moisture problems that could affect filter performance. A humidity chamber is used to see how quickly a dust will absorb moisture. This test helps to identify hygroscopic (moisture-absorbent) dust. Hygroscopic dusts require widely pleated filter cartridges or bag-type filters, as these sticky dusts cause tightly pleated filters to plug up.

Abrasion Testing

This measures the relative abrasiveness of dust. This knowledge helps to determine the optimal design of dust-handling components, including valves, inlets, and ductwork. For example, when capturing a highly abrasive dust such as cast-iron grindings, the collector must be designed with low inlet velocity. If inlet velocity is too high, the dust will re-entrain on the filter elements, abrading the filters and causing premature wear.

Terminal Velocity Testing

This pinpoints the air velocity required to lift the dust. This information helps to determine correct filter housing size and bag length. Horizontal convey velocity testing reveals the optimal velocity needed to move the dust horizontally, aiding in proper ductwork system design. Sliding angle/angle of repose testing determines the angle at which dust forms freely, aiding in hopper and dust discharge design. This test further identifies whether the dust tends to stick or agglomerate.

Obtaining Your Dust Sample

If you are in the process of upgrading your existing dust collection system, or planning on investing on a new one, contact us for an analysis of your dust and application. Representative dust samples for the application must be gathered in a very specific way, so contact us first for instructions and authorization.