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In any system of dry bulk material handling, and especially ones that employ conveyor belts to move materials, the effectiveness of dust suppression is always an issue. This means that in the large majority of manufacturing facilities, some of the smallest pieces of airborne particulates can be the most troublesome and adversely impact a wide variety of factors, including worker health, equipment maintenance, facility compliance to environmental regulations and the quality of products.

Dust suppression in manufacturing facilities is a hot topic for both financial and health reasons. That’s why it’s worth taking a good look at this issue with the expertise and insights of Deca Vibrator Industries, Inc. — a family-owned material flow equipment company with decades of experience solving customers’ bulk material flow issues. Since 1980, we’ve been preventing blockages and unwanted material buildups in industrial applications that range from challenging outdoor conditions to some of the most environmentally indoor facilities.

The Dust Challenge

Depending on what type of material a manufacturing facility handles, the buildup of dust can wreak havoc with electro-mechanical equipment and employees’ respiratory systems. In some instances, it can even lead to a risk of explosion. Clearly, dust — whether inhalable, flammable or just plain visible — is a problem you’re better off dealing with effectively rather than waiting until it becomes problematic to your facility’s operations.

So what exactly is dust? And why is it such a challenge to control?

Dust is an all-encompassing term for a wide variety of small solids with average particle diameters that are under 500 microns. To put this into perspective, 500 microns is about the size of a single grain of salt or half the thickness of a dime, which measures in at 1,000 microns.

But all dust particles are not created equally. Larger pieces of dust that are heavy enough to fall from the air and settle tend to be somewhere between 500 and 100 microns in diameter. From here on down in size is where dust particles become extremely troublesome, since anything under 100 microns in diameter remains airborne much longer. And since particles with diameters of less than 10 microns aren’t always caught by the body’s respiratory defense mechanisms like mucous membranes and cilia, they can make their way deep into the lungs, where they can be retained indefinitely.

Clearly, approaches like basic spraying or hosing techniques that attempt to control dust can result in more damage than good. Work areas, equipment and materials often become saturated, while smaller sized dust particles remain airborne, unaffected by the much larger droplets of water that pass them by. In actuality, the water droplets’ speed and size create air streams that repel and push the airborne dust particles out of the way, preventing them from colliding and bonding with the water at all.

More Efficient Material Flow Creates Less Particulate Matter in the Air

Fortunately, with our deep understanding of materials, flow solutions and equipment manufacturing, we’re able to advise you and supply material handling equipment & solutions that effectively manage the problems airborne dust particles cause.

Oftentimes, the solution lies in the application of a proper combination of material flow aids and dry bulk material handling equipment. For severe dry bulk material handling challenges, our Air Slide provides a guaranteed solution.

Whether you’re processing coal, aggregates, or even feed and grain, managing atmospheric dust throughout your operation is key to operating efficiently and safely.

Deca Vibrator Industries, Inc. for All Your Dust Suppression Needs

If your facility, workers or products are being adversely impacted by dust, it’s time to get a solution that works specifically for you. At Deca Vibrator Industries, Inc., we know what our clients need — and we don’t settle for second-best solutions. We are a direct partner to our clients, providing unique solutions and consulting for each particular dry bulk material flow challenge.

Ready to say goodbye to your dust problem? Contact us today.