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camfilapc.com US Pharmacopeia 6 Vessel strength is an important factor in sizing explosion protection equip- ment. A heavy-duty dust collector, constructed of thicker-gauge metal and with a higher pressure rating, will stand up better in the event of a combustible dust explosion and will often allow use of a simpler and less costly explosion protection system to achieve compliance. This approach also provides more flexibility in regard to equipment placement, potentially saving space inside the facility. Find out if your dust collection supplier can provide real-world test data to assist in this strategy. Determine the best filter media and pleat configuration for the job Tablet presses typically generate fine dry and potentially hazard- ous dusts which require the use of high-efficiency filtration media in the dust collector. A typical example is a polyester-cellulose blend with a micro- fiber synthetic melt-blown laminate or nanofiber surface layer that provides 99.99 to 99.999 percent efficiency on 0.5 micron and larger particles by weight (MERV 15 to 16). Since temperature and humidity are well controlled in the GMP space, they do not pose a challenge unless the collector is located outdoors, in which case the media should be able to handle a wide range of environmental conditions. Furthermore, if the manufacturer uses a clean-in-place (CIP) or wash- in-place (WIP) system on the press, a high-efficiency spun-bond polyester media with an oleophobic treatment might be specified so that filters can withstand the excess moisture gen- erated by the cleaning process. A bypass damper may also be used to reduce or eliminate the moisture content in the airstream before it reaches the collector. This will allow cleaning to take place without requir- ing shutdown of the dust collector. A carbon-impregnated media may also be required if the material being col- lected is highly combustible and static dissipation is needed as determined by a risk assessment. Explosion vents and flameless venting are two types of explosion protection systems that mitigate combustible dust explosions in dust collectors.