Project Synopsis

Evaluate and design a replacement for an inadequate dust collection system in a pigment manufacturing plant.

Project Summary

Process Engineering Associates, LLC (PROCESS) was hired by the client, the corporate engineering group for a worldwide manufacturer of inks and pigments, to provide support to one of their pigment plants.  Two pigment lines of the facility, each of which have their own dust collection system to provide capture of combustible dusts generated during a flexible intermediate bulk container (FIBC) discharging process.  The existing dust collectors and dust collection networks have not been providing adequate control of dusts in this processing area, so the client contracted PROCESS to evaluate alternatives and design a new dust collection system.  The new dust collection system design would need to meet current NFPA guidelines for handling combustible dusts.

Specific tasks for this project included:

  • A site visit and field walkdown to examine the layout and equipment characteristics of the existing system, as well as generation of an as-built Piping and Instrumentation Diagram (P&ID) for the existing system
  • A technical evaluation of dust collection strategies for a new system, including different FIBC unloading technologies and designs for dust collection hoods
  • Calculations of system flowrates, duct velocities, and pressure losses to identify acceptable duct parameters
  • Preparation of P&IDs showing the new dust collector and duct network
  • Preparation of a Dust Control Schematic showing the general layout and configuration of the dust collector system and providing air volumes and velocities for all sections of the system
  • Preparation of specifications for the new dust collector
  • Review of equipment and deflagration protection proposals
  • Comments for equipment vendor submittals.

As part of the design effort for this project, PROCESS worked with the client to help ensure that the system design would be congruent with the latest NFPA guidelines for collection of combustible dusts.

Industry Type

Pigment Manufacturing  

Utilized Skills

  • Development of As-Built P&IDs
  • Dust control systems process evaluation
  • Dust collection system design.

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