Answering Your Questions about Dust Testing
The collection and testing of dust samples is a long-established practice used by industrial safety and hygiene professionals to make informed dust collection decisions.
The collection and testing of dust samples is a long-established practice used by industrial safety and hygiene professionals to make informed dust collection decisions. This article will answer basic questions on what you need to know about testing your dust to ensure dust collector safety and compliance.
Q. Has dust testing changed in recent years?
A. Though dust testing protocols have not changed markedly, the importance of dust testing has changed. While knowing your dust has always been good practice, it is rapidly becoming a necessity in today’s regulatory climate.
Q. What are the main categories of dust testing?
A. There are two general categories of testing to be concerned about: (1) explosibility testing, which determines whether a dust is combustible; and (2) bench testing, which pinpoints physical properties of the dust. Both categories of tests are needed to determine the right dust collection system for your application.
Q. What is explosibility testing?
A. To determine whether a dust is combustible, it must undergo explosibility testing in accordance with ASTM test methods as stated in the “National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 68 Standard on Explosion Protection by Deflagration Venting.”
NFPA 68 stipulates that if a dust sample is available, it must be tested. The standard further states that it is the responsibility of the end-user (i.e., the plant or safety engineer) to commission testing and report on results. This is a noteworthy change from past practice; what used to be a “guideline” is now a “standard” and is regarded as mandatory.
Explosibility testing is available through several companies that specialize in explosion protection services. You can go directly to such a company or commission the testing through your dust collection supplier.
Using your dust sample, the lab will start with a screening test to determine whether or not your dust is combustible. If it is not, testing will stop there. If it is combustible, the lab will conduct further testing on dust cloud parameters to pinpoint the Kst (defined as the deflagration index of a dust cloud, or rate of pressure rise) and Pmax (the maximum pressure in a contained explosion).
Even if you believe your dust is not combustible, it still must be tested under NFPA 68. For example, paper dust may be inherently non-combustible, but if a coating is mixed in during processing, it can render the dust combustible. If your dust is found to be even slightly combustible, you will be required to use explosion venting equipment on your dust collector.
Q. What if there is no dust sample available for explosibility testing?
A. If a dust sample is not available, it is permissible to use an equivalent dust (i.e., same particle size, etc.) in an equivalent application to determine combustibility. But once the dust becomes available, it is still recommended that you go back and test the dust as above.
Q. Why is bench testing of dust also needed?
A. Whether you are planning a new dust collection system or updating existing equipment, dust collection is a complex challenge. Dust sample bench testing is an excellent tool for knowing your dust better and assisting in accurate equipment selection. Bench testing has many benefits. By identifying the dust characteristics properly, you can determine the right type of collector and filtration media for your needs and determine the right equipment sizing for energy savings and operational efficiency. This can help minimize maintenance problems and enable you to meet more stringent emission requirements while extending filter life.
Q. Where do I go for bench testing?
A. A few independent test laboratories have dust collection experience and can be commissioned to perform bench testing. Some dust collection equipment manufacturers have in-house test labs and offer free testing as a value-added service. Be sure, however, to find out if you are obligated to buy a dust collector from a manufacturer who tests your dust.
The lab will ask for a sample and detailed data on the process generating the dust, the operating requirements, airflow conditions, temperature and humidity, etc. This application data gives context to your test program for more meaningful results.
Q. What types of bench tests are commonly performed?
A. Common bench tests include:
Particle size analysis reveals the dust’s particle size distribution down to the submicron range and determines the filtration efficiency required to meet emissions standards. A dual-laser particle analyzer can pinpoint both the count (the number of particles of a given size) and the volume or mass spread of the dust. Knowing both is important because many dusts are mixed. Sieve analysis is a related test that measures large particle sizes (>100 microns).
A video microscope provides visual analysis of the dust shape and characteristics. Together with particle-size analysis, this tool is vital for proper equipment selection, often helping to determine what type of collector should be used. For example, a microscope may be needed to see oil in the dust.
Pychnometer testing determines the dust’s true specific gravity (the weight of a given material as a solid block) as opposed to the bulk density. It helps determine the efficiency of cyclonic-type collectors. Moisture analyzer equipment measures a dust’s moisture percentage by weight, providing information that can prevent moisture problems. A humidity chamber is used to see how quickly a dust will absorb moisture. This helps to identify hygroscopic (moisture- absorbent) dust which requires widely pleated filter cartridges or bag-type filters, as these sticky dusts cause tightly pleated filters to plug up. Abrasion testing measures the relative abrasiveness of dust, enabling you to determine the optimal design of dust-handling components, including valves, inlets and ductwork.
Velocity testing helps determine the correct dust collector and filter size, as well as the appropriate ductwork and discharge/hopper design.
Q. When should I consider specialized dust testing?
A. With a highly unusual or trouble-prone application, additional testing might be necessary. Explosion test labs have the capability to perform a variety of advanced tests using both small- and large-scale test vessels. A reputable lab will be able to make recommendations as to whether further testing is needed to analyze your combustible dust problem.
Similarly, after bench testing is completed, you might need further information to analyze a difficult dust or to meet especially stringent emissions control requirements. In both cases a large dust sample is run through a full-size collector on a test rig, so that dust particle size, pressure drop and other parameters can be precisely monitored and real-time emissions monitoring can be performed.
When you have finished testing your dust samples using these guidelines, you will know your dust much better. Knowing your dust is the key to making sure you have the best possible dust collection equipment for worker safety and comfort, emission control, plant cleanliness and compliance.
Source: Camfil Air Pollution Control