Details: 

What:  “Clearing the Air: Preventing Combustible Dust Hazards with the Proper Cleaning Equipment”

When:  TODAY! Monday, May 24^th @ 2:30pm

Doors open at 2:20pm

Where: Hyatt Regency Denver (across the street from the convention center)

                Centennial C, Level 3

Details: Combustible dust-related fires and explosions are a constant threat for manufacturers. In fact, OSHA estimates that in the U.S. alone, over 30,000 facilities are at risk for major combustible dust explosions. While these incidents are not 100% preventable, they are certainly not inevitable. You can significantly reduce the risk of a combustible dust accident by instilling best engineering practices — practices that include a solid maintenance plan in order to reduce or eliminate dangerous dust that settles on floors, walls, machinery, and overhead areas.

This event will provide attendees with a basic understanding of combustible dust issues and discuss critical housekeeping tips and recommendations. We’ll answer your questions:

• How OSHA define combustible dust?
• How does the OSHA Combustible Dust NEP pertain to maintenance?
• Why is proper maintenance so critical?
• What are “properly-equipped” industrial vacuums to combat combustible dust?
• Are “explosion-proof” vacuums always necessary? 

P.S. Refreshments will be served!

Ideal for process-integration systems, central systems or for general maintenance, the three-phase 08 series, which includes the 3308, 3508, 3508W, and 3558, gives users the cleaning muscle they need for continuous duty applications, effectively collecting and retaining contaminants such as dust, bacteria, or packaging scraps. Features include:

• Efficient filtration: Graduated filtration, oversized filters and HEPA and optional ULPA filters that trap up to 99.999% of all ultra-fine particles, eliminate debris while keeping performance high.
• Ergonomic filter shaker: Safely and easily purge the filter to prevent clogging and downtime. Reverse purge and electric filter shakers are also available.
• Portable Design: Equipped with extra-large wheels and a wrap-around handle; users can push, pull, or maneuver the vacuum with ease.
• Low Noise Operation: The 08 series is quieter than ever, with a sound suppressor that reduces the speed of the exhaust air and muffles the sounds for increased worker comfort and safety.
• Stainless Steel models: prevent contamination from the vacuum itself; can be easily cleaned

In addition, the modular Nilfisk CFM 08 Series vacuums can be customized based on the type of materials being collected (i.e., fine dust/powders, debris, toxic materials, liquids, etc.) using dozens of interchangeable accessories, hoses, and filters—including those for overhead cleaning. Stainless steel models are also available.

For more information, visit http://www.nilfiskcfm.com.

The WSS 100 is a base model for coolant/chip collection with a gravity fed drain valve. The WST 100 DV is equipped with a diverting valve that reverses the flow of air to pump out the tank quickly and easily. It is also equipped with a tilting motor head, allowing easy access to the internal chip basket. Additional features and benefits of both vacuums include:

• Great Price/Value ratio

• Small, very maneuverable for use in tight areas and smaller metalworking shops

• Chip basket collects metal shavings – 3 optional filters are available for higher filtration efficiencies (300, 100 and 50 micron)

• Internal oil mist filter prevents oil mist from entering the motor

• Liquid level sight tube

In addition, when coolants are collected, they are filtered for reintroduction into the machine tool. During the suction phase, the coolant becomes full of oxygen that aids in killing existing bacteria. Both the WSS 100 and WST 100 DV can be equipped with a wide range of accessories that have been designed for the specific needs of the industry.

For more information or to schedule a free facility assessment and machine demo, call 1-800-645-3475 or visit www.nilfiskcfm.com.

Increased Collection Capacity; Increased Savings

June 9, 2009, Malvern, PA—The Nilfisk CFM R Series of industrial vacuums continuously and efficiently collects large quantities of packaging scraps at the source when integrated with cutting and other packaging equipment. In these applications, the vacuums’ unique scrap-compacting feature enables workers to double – and in some cases triple – collection capacity, dramatically reducing downtime.

The R Series is designed to extract lateral trim, scraps, and dust during trimming and edging applications. It features a three-phase powered induction motor with regenerative blower that operates virtually maintenance-free in continuous duty packaging applications. High vacuum pressure compresses the collected debris to optimize the collection capacity by up to 300%, dramatically decreasing downtime. Features include a viewing window to indicate when reusable collection bag needs emptying, mounted wheels for easy maneuverability, quiet operation, and heavy duty steel or stainless steel collection container.

Many vacuum companies offer basic models dressed up with a few anti-static accessories and describe them as suitable for explosive material. With metal parts and non-enclosed motors, these vacs can create arcs, sparks or heat that can cause ignition of the exterior atmosphere and overheating that can ignite dust blanketing the vacuum. Plant Managers should take no chances when it comes to protecting your facility and look for CERTIFIED explosion-proof vacuums that are explosion-proof to the core. This means that everything from the outer shell to the internal mechanics including the motor, switches, filters and inner chambers should be grounded and constructed of non-sparking materials such as stainless steel.

Approval by a nationally recognized testing agency such as CSA or UL is imperative and will protect you from purchasing a poser. Look for models that state they are certified for use in your specific NFPA classified environment. This provides legal certification and ensures that every component in the vacuum from the ground up meets strict standards for preventing shock and fire hazards.

Explosion-Proof Vs. Intrinsically Safe

In environments where electricity is unavailable or undesirable, pneumatic vacuums for hazardous locations are excellent alternatives. It is important to note that only electric vacuums can be certified and deemed “explosion-proof,” but properly outfitted pneumatic vacuums, referred to as “intrinsically-safe,” often pack the same punch as their electric counterparts while still meeting the requirements for use in your NFPA classified environment. Again, beware of companies that refer to their pneumatic models as certified explosion proof. Testing agencies for air-operated machines simply do not exist.

Filtration

As with any critical environment vacuum, superior filtration should not be sacrificed on an explosion proof model. For peak operating efficiency, the vacuum should have a multi-stage, graduated filtration system, which uses a series of progressively finer anti-static filters to trap and retain particles as they move through the vacuum. For companies of all shapes and sizes, the use of HEPA filters is not just critical, but mandatory. Quality HEPA filters offer an efficient, effective way to trap and retain the smallest dust particles, down to and including 0.3 microns, helping to preserve air quality and protect workers. Manufacturers also have the option for an ULPA filter, which captures particles down to and including 0.12 microns. In order to eliminate combustible dust from being exhausted back into the ambient air, the HEPA or ULPA filter should be positioned after the motor in order for it to properly filter the exhaust stream. The motor’s commutator and carbon brushes generate dust, and if the exhaust stream is not filtered, that dust will simply be released back into the environment.

Spill Response

Don’t forget to take spill response into account when purchasing an EXP. Although OSHA’s current audits are specifically looking at companies that handle dry solids, manufacturers’ maintenance plans are also under the microscope. If you plan on collecting flammable or explosive chemicals, consider a wet-model explosion-proof vacuum, which are also available in both electric and pneumatic versions.

Conclusion

Picking the right vacuum often raises a lot of questions, especially when it comes to disaster prevention. Ask your vacuum-manufacturer to do an onsite analysis of your vacuum needs in order to recommend what type of vacuum, hose and accessories you should use.

As displayed in one too many plants all across the U.S., the term “maintenance” oversimplifies the role an industrial vacuum system plays in today’s manufacturing processes. The right vacuum can save money, protect the integrity of the product, increase productivity, and most importantly, protect your most valuable asset, your employees.