Timber product manufacturers that create fine dust in their production and use a variety of materials are targets for Fercell Engineering Ltd’s new Dust Storm DS Series extraction filter technology.
The Dust Storm took pride of place on Fercell’s W12 stand last year and takes its inspiration from similar units operating in the recycling industry where fine dust filtration capabilities are required.
The reverse air pulse filter unit, with options for positive or negative pressure filter formats, has a modular structure to enable easy alterations to suit the future needs of manufacturing operations.
Fercell managing director Mark Fletcher said the technology could help any timber product manufacturer which operates sanding machines, such as door and cabinet producers.
"Denibbing after the application of an undercoat creates a lot of fine powder," said Mr Fletcher.
"Some of the buffing machines also need a lot of air for the rate of extraction."
Typically, these applications are serviced by large fabric filters, which Mr Fletcher said could be expensive for large volumes of air, had a large footprint and were difficult to modify.
"Traditional filter units can only use a bag or a cartridge, whereas the Dust Storm can accept both. If you start off with a fine dust application you can use a cartridge and then switch to a bag for large particles.
"It’s a much more flexible solution, is more cost-effective and takes up less space."
Dust-laden air is introduced into the filter middle section through a rectangular inlet where the optimised filtration of dust particles takes place.
The inlet is designed in accordance with the "down flow" principle, with a diffusion effect ensuring a minimum pressure drop and maximum filtration.
A key feature is the technology’s ability to complete a clean cycle automatically while remaining in operation. Filter elements are cleaned by the Power Pulse system, using the integral compressor which produces its own dry compressed air.
Dust particles are collected on cylindrical pleated and permeable filter elements to achieve the largest possible filtration surface. Fercell says this removes dust particles with minimum pressure drop while maintaining continuous operation.
The flexibility and modular build is emphasised with options for either a flat bottom with automatic scraper or conical bottom with rotor vale discharge.
