Dust collection systems remove dust and other particulate matter from the air, and they are important for many companies and industries at large—food and beverage processing plants, in particular. They come in many forms and configurations for different applications and materials. But, at the highest level, they can be divided into three types of solutions—each with its own unique advantages and disadvantages. 

Cartridge dust collectors are known for their high efficiency, low maintenance and ability to remove a range of particle sizes. Cyclone dust collectors are well-suited for heavy dust and debris removal, have a simple design and a low operation cost. Baghouses are efficient in capturing fine dust particles but require more maintenance. The choice of dust collection system will depend on the specific requirements of the application and the type of dust or particles that need to be removed.

All of this addresses the “which” question, but why is dust collection a must-have piece of F&B manufacturing equipment? Consider these 10 top-line reasons.

1. Regulatory Compliance: Many industries are subject to strict regulations regarding air pollution and emissions, and a dust collection system can help companies comply with these regulations by removing dust and other particulate matter from the air.

2. Safety/Liability: Dust and other particulate matter can be hazardous to workers’ health, and a dust collection system can help to reduce the risk of respiratory problems and other health issues by removing these particles from the air. 

3. Equipment protection: Dust and other particulate matter can damage equipment and machinery, and a dust collection system can help to extend the life of equipment by removing these particles from the air.

4. Product quality: Dust and other particulate matter can negatively impact product quality, and a dust collection system can help to ensure that products are free from contaminants by removing these particles from the air.

5. Janitorial savings: Dust removed from the air is dust removed from surfaces. Catching the dust before it escapes saves cleaning staff a lot of time and effort.

6. Pest prevention: In F&B processing applications, dust collection is worth it even if just to deter pests because, once you house them, it can be nearly impossible to eliminate them.

7. Energy efficiency: Dust and other particulate matter can clog filters and other components of heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems, leading to decreased energy and equipment efficiency. A dust collection system can help to improve energy efficiency by removing these particles from the air.

8. Fire prevention: Dust and other particulate matter can be a fire hazard, particularly in industries that reduce the particle size of flammable materials like wood and grains. A dust collection system can help to reduce the risk of fire by removing these particles from the air.

9. Environmental concerns: Dust and other particulate matter from metals and chemicals can be harmful to the environment, and a dust collection system can help to reduce the environmental impact of industrial and commercial operations by removing these particles from the air.

10. Cost savings: Dust and other particulate matter can lead to increased maintenance and repair costs, as well as decreased energy efficiency. A dust collection system can help to reduce these costs by removing these particles from the air.

Comparing Methodologies

Given there are several different types of dust collection systems available, each type has its own unique advantages and disadvantages making it better suited for certain applications than others. Here are some key considerations.

Cartridge

Cartridge dust collectors are a type of dust collection system that uses pleated filters, known as cartridges, to trap and remove dust and other particles from the air. These systems are well-suited for use in a variety of industrial and commercial environments, including F&B processing facilities as well as woodworking and metalworking shops.

One of the major benefits of cartridge dust collectors is their high efficiency in removing dust and other particulate matter from the air. Because the cartridges are made of a porous material, they are able to trap and remove a wide range of particle sizes, from fine dust to larger particles. Additionally, cartridge dust collectors take up little space and it’s very easy to swap the filters. The downside is that these filters will clog more frequently (are not practical for) high-volume applications.

Cyclone dust collector outside of a food processing plant. Image courtesy of ABM Equipment. 

Cyclone 

Cyclone dust collectors, also known as cyclonic separators, use centrifugal force to separate dust and other particles from the air. These systems work by drawing dirty air into a cylindrical chamber, where the air is then spun at a high velocity. This spinning motion causes the heavier dust and particles to be thrown to the walls of the chamber, where they can be collected and removed.

Cyclone dust collectors are well-suited for use in applications where a large volume of heavy dust and debris needs to be removed, such as in woodworking or metalworking operations. They are relatively simple in design, easy to maintain and have a low running cost. However, they are rather large and are not as efficient in removing fine dust particles as compared to the other methods because they don’t use bags. For this reason, some processors who continuously generate a lot of dust but also need everything filtered will pair a cyclone filter with another option for a two-stage solution.

Compact baghouse outside of a brewery. Image courtesy of ABM Equipment.

Baghouses

Baghouses, also known as fabric filter dust collectors, use a series of filter bags to trap and remove dust and other particles from the air. These systems work by drawing dirty air through the filter bags, which are made of a porous material that captures dust and other particles.

Baghouses are well-suited for use in applications where a high degree of filtration is required, such as in cement plants, power plants, flour milling and other industrial operations. They are efficient in capturing fine dust particles but are relatively high maintenance as the filter bags usually cannot be replaced by laymen. The considerations to be made with baghouses are footprint and maintenance cost. But if you have room outside your facility and a service agreement with an apt provider, these pains can be alleviated without much trouble. For these reasons, baghouses are the popular solution.

Overall, integrated dust collection systems are a consequential component of a bulk dry solids processing facility, ensuring that particles don’t get into the air and on the facility floor. This makes breathing easier, reduces risk of slipping, and depending on the application, will reduce explosion risk or attraction of pests. By effectively capturing airborne particles, a cleaner and safer work environment is ensured.