Bob Mayne, Dust Controls Specialist
WHY APPLY DUST CONTROL?
There are five (5) primary reasons for companies to apply dust control to their manufacturing operations:
- Machine Reliability Better Reliability Improves the Bottom Line
- Product Quality Fewer Customer Complaints and Good Public Relations
- Process Safety Less Dust in Work Area Reduces Fire Risk
- Fugitive Emissions Reduction Employees Breath Cleaner Air and Are Healthier
- Housekeeping Cost Reduction Money Savings
EXECUTION METHODOLOGY
Every customer has different processes, problems, and expectations when dealing with dust control, so it is important to tailor approaches to meet all the needs of a company. It is also a good practice to reduce risk and cost by breaking a project into smaller execution pieces for better project management control. Following is a high-level over view of a generic Dust Control Project.
1. INITIAL ENGINEERING MEETING
The first meeting should occur at the plant, in order to facilitate understanding of the issues or problems the plant is experiencing. The objectives of this meeting are:
- Determine the Project Success Criteria
- Discuss Budget and Schedule Targets
- Collect Pictures, Drawings, and Documentation
2. DETERMINE APPROPRIATE EXECUTION STRATEGY
Develop scope, project cost, and schedule.
3. CONDUCT FIELD AUDIT
Execute as required to understand current conditions, find root cause(s) of fugitive dust. Experience indicates that 20% of the dust emission points generate 80% of the dust, also known as the 80/20 rule.
4. DEVELOP CURRENT CONDITIONS & RECOMMENDATIONS REPORT
Develop a combination written report complemented with flow diagrams explaining current operation conditions for easy understanding. Outline the reasons for the fugitive dust emissions and propose recommendations.
5. REPORT REVIEW & PATH FORWARD
After allowing the plant time to review the report, conduct a detailed review to determine a solution.
DUST CONTROL SERVICES
Jedson Engineering has the capability to complete full spectrum dust control services; from increasing performance of a marginal operating dust control system (DCS), to complete design, procurement, installation, and commission of a new system. Service offerings include:
- Conceptual Engineering
- Definition Engineering
- Design Execution
- Air Systems Troubleshooting
- Capital Equipment Forecasting
- Static & Dynamic Commissioning
- Air System Balancing • Dust Sampling
- Construction Supervision
- DCS Training
- Maintenance & Monitoring Systems
- Remote Systems Monitoring