Nitrogen Generators Can Decrease Chances of Combustible Dust Explosions in Dust Collectors

Over the last 30 years, more and more accidents involving dust collector explosions are being reported. The purpose of a dust collector is to improve the air quality in industrial facilities by removing particle matter from the air and the working environment and converting it to safer breathing air. The trick is that sometimes - depending on the industry that is using the dust collector – the actual dust being collected may have a combustible aspect which could result in a combustible dust explosion. In the United States alone there have been at least 350 combustible dust explosions. The scariest part about this is that in most instances, those injured were unaware that a hazard was present to begin with; a hazard that needed to be monitored carefully.

Depending on your industry’s process and application, combustible dust can be present in many different forms (i.e. metal dust, wood dust, plastic resin dust, etc.) and multiple sizes. Combustible dust can be produced in facilities you may not have even thought of – food, wood, plastic, rubber, pharmaceuticals, coal, grain and more.

As a precautionary measure, dust collectors are introduced to absorb this combustible dust and decrease the risk of any fires which could not only injure your employees but decrease your plant’s efficiency whereby your process needs to be shut down for repair or replacement for an extended period of time.

Nitrogen can be introduced into your dust collector for explosion prevention. Instead of using only oxygen in the dust collector process, a nitrogen generator can convert some of the oxygen to nitrogen thereby decreasing the chances of a dust collector fire.

Membrane nitrogen generators or PSA (Pressure Swing Adsorption) generators are best suited to assist any industry where dust collectors are a necessity.

Speak to an experienced nitrogen generator supplier to ensure that you choose the generator best suited for your process.

Nitrogen Generators Benefit Rapid Prototyping Industry

Selective Laser Sintering (an additive layer-by-layer process) requires a high power laser to fuse small particles of plastic, ceramic and metal together into a 3D prototype. Because rapid prototyping (or SLS) is a process actionable only at high temperatures it is important to ensure your process is safe and that you are operating at maximum efficiency. Nitrogen generators can assist in this application.

A membrane nitrogen generator is your best option for this application as membrane generators can virtually operate themselves without the assistance of a controller. Nitrogen purity in a membrane generator is adjustable from 95 - 99.9%.
The desired flow and purity required for your rapid prototyping process will determine how many membrane modules will be utilized. Once the air in your SLS process has passed through the membrane bundle(s) it is nitrogen that is used to inert the chamber during the process.

Contact an experienced nitrogen generator supplier if you have specific questions regarding how the generator can assist your process or any concerns that you may have.