Issue link: https://www.e-digitaleditions.com/i/1292632
6 / October 2020 powderbulk.com INDUSTRY PERSPECTIVE PBE Getting back to normal W ith all the issues brought on by COVID-19, the first thing on your mind is most likely not dust collection. If you've been shut down because your industry was considered nonessential, getting safely back into full production to satisfy customer orders is the priority. If your dust collection system has been shut down for a period of time, I sug- gest that you check it out before putting it back into full operation when the time comes. Get ahold of the dust collector's maintenance manual and follow the procedure for startup as if the unit is a new installation. Be careful when preparing the production area served by the dust col- lection system for startup as well. Some production operations require area washdown before starting up. If moisture from the washdown enters the dust collection system ductwork, that moisture will get to the dust collector filter media if the exhaust fan is operating. The dust on the media will form a mud and dry, preventing airflow through the media. Now the filter media cannot be cleaned, raising the pressure drop across the dust collector and reducing the airflow through the dust collection system. Keep the exhaust fan off and cover the slots and openings on dust capture hoods to keep moisture out during the washdown. Don't forget to make sure the dust collector hopper is empty of dust and debris. Check all dust capture hoods, dust capture devices, and ductwork inte- riors and clean out any settled dust and debris that might have gotten inside. Check the airflow through each duct branch line to ensure that each one meets the original design airflow requirements. Rebalance the dust collection system to meet design airflow requirements if necessary. Last but not least, if the dust collection system has been handling com- bustible dust, have the dust explosion protection system on the dust col- lector and connecting ductwork explosion protection components checked by the manufacturer to ensure proper operation. Make sure all ductwork access doors are properly sealed and tightly shut. Check dust capture hoods and devices, ductwork, dust collector, and exhaust fan bonding connections across seams to safely dissipate static electricity to the building ground. Aim for an ideal startup when life is permitted to get back to normal by taking the time now to review and implement the above suggestions accordingly. Editor's note: This is one of a series of commentaries by Powder and Bulk Engineering's Editorial Advisory Board members and other experts. The editorials express the individual writer's views of trends affecting powder and bulk industries today. Powder and Bulk Engineering welcomes your response. John A. Constance, PE, The Engineers Collaborative, jac@engcollab.com Only at MUNSON ® can you test these and 14 other blending and size reduction machines side-by-side—using your material—ensuring you of top efficiency at the lowest cost. EE-0695 ROTARY BATCH MIXERS • 0.25 to 600 cu ft (0.01 to 17 cu m) • 100% uniformity in less than 3 minutes • Uniform liquid additions • Ultra-gentle • Complete discharge • Fast sanitizing LUMP BREAKERS • Throat widths 15 to 48 in. (38 to 122 cm) • Bed screens 1/32 to 2 1/2 in. (0.79 to 64 mm) • Quick screen cleaning, inspection, removal CL ASSIFYING CUTTERS • Throat widths 10 to 72 in. (25 to 183 cm) • Bed screens 1/32 to 2 1/2 in. (0.79 to 64 mm) • Precise sizes with minimum fines PIN MILLS • Controlled sizing down to 400 mesh • No screens, hammers, knives or rolls • Coarse & fine grinding of friable materials • Conditioning of cellulose fibers 1-800-944-6644 info@munsonmachinery.com WWW.MUNSONMACHINERY.COM VEE-CONE BLENDERS • 1 cup to 200 cu ft (0.5 to 5663 L) • Gentle, 5 to 15 minute cycles • Complete discharge • Ultra-fast sanitizing of smooth internal surfaces RIBBON BLENDERS • 1.0 to 800 cu ft (0.03 to 23 cu m) • Blends dry bulk to pastes • Shear reduces agglomerates • Low cost BLEND REDUCE COMPARE ©2016 Munson Machinery Co., Inc. MUNSON® is a registered trademark of Munson Machinery Co., Inc. EE-0695_BlendReduce_20160510_1720_Z-1249 5