Dust Extraction in the Waste Handling Industry

Exeon are specialists in dust control. We have extensive experience in the Waste industry, enabling us to support the requirements. Below are some example case studies:

DUST CONTROL FOR WASTE SORTING PROCESS

At this Materials Recovery Facility (MRF) there were six separator units which used airflow to separate lighter and heavier products. These emitted a large volume of dust from which was a hazard. Read more...

NEW DUST EXTRACTOR ON PRINT EXTRACT

The existing print discharge gave off a very fine mist of dust which over 2 weeks amounted to just 1kg of product. However this dust spread across the factory was enough to cause significant concern! Read more...

NEW EXTRACTION SYSTEM ON PAPER WASTE SYSTEM

This paper waste handling system discharged paper cuttings into a waste skip. The discharge arrangement was unfiltered and this allowed large quantities of dust to escape and go all over the adjacent car parking area. Dust Extraction was required to prevent this environmental issue. Read more...

Dust contamination occurs in Waste sites in the following ways:

Mechanical handling / Conveying

Mechanical movements of waste cause the release of dust into the atmosphere.

Shredding / Compacting

Shredding and compacting of waste causes agitation and as a result release of dust into the atmosphere.

Screening / Sorting

The process of screening and sorting waste is often a dusty process, and often there is vibration involved, again involving agitation of waste and release of dust.

Ventilation systems are needed to provide local or background extraction of these dusty areas in the buildings where the waste is stored or processed. The ventilation systems provide improved working conditions for the operators and sufficient odour and dust filtration to meet environmental requirements.

Exeon looks to work with Clients to design bespoke extraction solutions tailored to the individual site requirements.

WHY IS IT SO IMPORTANT?

Dust Extraction is important at Waste Sites for the following reasons:

Dust Levels and Damage to Health

High dust levels within the atmosphere are dangerous to operators inside. RPE masks can be worn for specific short-term operations, but it is considered the last line in defence. For constant dust discharge, dust extraction should prevent airborne dust from creating a dangerous environment and potential respiratory illnesses.

ATEX Rating of the Area

With some types of dust, explosions can occur through the allowance of dust into the atmosphere. There is the potential risk of creating a dust zone if there is a dust buildup. ATEX zoning is also expensive, due to the specialised electrical equipment required to operate within these zones.

Cleaning Requirements

Airborne dust will settle around the plant and create an expensive cleaning requirement, a health and safety slip hazard, and a potential for vermin.

Fire Risk

Waste material, particularly fine dust, can be very flammable through allowing this to build up around the plant, which can create additional risk within the plant.

Water reduction

Water sprays can be used to control airborne dust but this can create issues with the longevity of the plant due to corrosion

The regulations for dust control in the waste industry are led by the following organisations:

Health & Safety Executive

Environmental Agency

The standard documentation for dust-creating processes is HSG:258. This is an HSE document that controls the health of workers within the premises. There are various Workplace Exposure Limits (WELs) which apply to different dusts within the waste industry. If operators are exposed to these dusts then dust control is required to protect them.

POP (Persistent Organic Pollutants) Regulations

Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) are poisonous chemical substances that break down slowly and get into food chains as a result. The manufacture and sale of these are now banned. However there are widely present in both the textiles and foam of domestic seating.

The new POP regulations require separate handling of specific waste streams to ensure these go to incineration and not landfill, and also systems to ensure particulate does not escape to the atmosphere during shredding at waste sites. The guidance recommends LEV to contain the dust (EA POP Guidance for Domestic Seating Section 3.7).