Manufacturer Seeks Dust Collection Solution for Shot Blasting Booths

The process of shot blasting is often used to prepare a fabrication or a casting for downstream processes such as finishing (painting). For surface preparation – usually of metal surfaces prior to painting – the shot blast process is usually manual in order to reach awkward corners and to achieve a uniform degree and required roughness standard, for example SA2½. The process works by repeated impact of the surface with high speed abrasive material such as chilled iron shot. There is also the option to surface blast with expendable shot – usually the bi-product of some other process such as copper smelting. In this case the “shot” is crushed copper oxide slag. There is also blasting using glass beads or beads of other softer material. In all cases the “shot” is likely to be recovered and ‘air washed’. There is also the need to maintain extraction to collect the airborne dust removed from the surface being worked upon. By its very nature the dust generated from shot blasting brings with it a significant risk of abrasion damage to the filtration equipment. If the system is correctly designed and operated the unbroken shot should not be drawn into the filter however dislodged parent material (as dust) and broken shot are certain to be drawn into the filter. Fragments of broken shot or shattered beads (from bead blasting) have sharp edges and enter the collector with considerable velocity.

Challenge 

Our client is a global manufacturer, supplier and installer of shot blasting booths. Their aim was to improve the efficiency of the collection of dust generated through the shot blasting process thus providing their end-users with dust collection equipment alongside their booths. The challenge in ventilating this type of process is to collect the nuisance dust only and not the steel shot material used in the cleaning process. Appropriate air inlets and duct work was also to be supplied to ensure maximum dust extraction for the safety of the workers (typically four) in the booth.

Solution

Two ATEX OptiFlo® RC units were selected. These pulsejet cartridge dust collectors are specifically designed for the handling of dust generated by shot blasting and providing a continuous operation. The OptiFlo® RC was supplied with REDClean® NFR cartridges. AAF cartridge technology allows operators to reduce power consumption, enhance efficiency and extend the time between cartridge change-outs.

Benefits

 The installation of the OptiFlo® RC dust collectors together with the shot blasting booths has ensured the removal of airborne particles, prevention of settling dust and provided a safer environment for the workers. The systems also incorporate a purpose designed abrasion resistant inlet to deal with the risk of abrasion damage. Since the successful commissioning of these dust collectors, the two units have performed to the high standard expected by the client, prompting them to choose the OptiFlo® RC for future booth installations.