Whether producing cereal or pre-made cake mixes, food processing plants produce a lot of dust when creating their products. This can lead to significant issues for production plants and their workers, affecting the workforce and the company’s profits. Thus, the a need for reliable dust collectors in the food processing industry.
Let’s look at the importance of dust collectors in a food processing plant and what to consider when buying one.
How Dust is Formed in Food Processing
Food processing plants generate a large volume of dust during the transition from raw material to final product. The formation of dust happens at the following stages of production:
- Food preparation – when dry raw food items are cut or ground into small pieces, it generates dust.
- Drying or dehydration – some food items are dried and dehydrated to either extend shelf life or turned into a powdered form. During this time, dust particles can be released and accumulate in the air.
- Feeding and mixing – mixing powdered items like flour, sugar, and spices to create cake mixes, for example, can generate dust particles in the process. This also occurs when feeding raw items on a feeder to form pellets or crumbles.
- Packaging – dust formation happens at the packaging stage, especially when working with powdered or granular food.
Dust Control in Food Processing
First, let’s look at the reason why dust in food processing plants needs to be properly managed. There are three main concerns regarding dust control in food processing: fire prevention, cross-contamination, and health dangers.
Fire Prevention
Food dust is highly combustible – meaning it can easily burn and cause explosions when in contact with an ignition source. Dust particles generated by food processing can accumulate and remain in key areas of a plant, namely the ventilation systems and processing equipment. Large volumes of food dust can easily spark, leading to an explosion and causing property damage and injury to the employees.
Cross-contamination
Cross-contamination happens when food is exposed to another product it’s not supposed to be in contact with. With the various food sensitivities nowadays, strict adherence to food segregation is important for processing plants. Uncontrolled dust in food processing plants can cause airborne food contamination or foodborne illnesses, leading to costly recalls and damage to brand reputation.
Health Dangers
Another potential danger when food dust accumulates is the safety of a plant’s employees. Dust particles can be inhaled, triggering allergic reactions. While dust contains trace amounts of these allergens, constant exposure and inhalation can be dangerous in the long run. Plus, allergens are not only found on raw materials, as processed food items can also have additives some workers can’t be exposed to.
How Dust Collectors Work
Dust collectors function as an effective filtration system for food processing plants. It works as a vacuum that draws dust-filled air into the facility’s ventilation system, filtering the air as it passes through the filter material. Once the dust particles are separated, the clean air is either released or returned to the facility, encouraging better air circulation.
How to Select the Best Dust Collection System for Food Processing
Choosing the ideal dust collection system for food processing plants is a big investment, thus requiring careful thinking and consideration. Here are some key points when looking for a dust collector:
Dust Type
The first thing to check is the type of dust the food processing plant is generating. Dust particles come in different shapes and sizes – some larger than others. Knowing the size and volume of the dust you’re dealing with will help determine the kind of dust collector and filter material the facility will need.
Then there are also the materials that compose the dust generated to look into. Most food processing plants produce either combustible or allergen-rich dust, so the filtering material must have properties that can handle these contaminants.
Facility Space and Layout
After considering the type of dust produced, it’s time to check the size and layout of the food processing facility. Depending on how big the factory is, you may require a stronger dust collector setup. Additionally, you have to ensure that the existing ductwork and ventilation within the facility are updated to accommodate the dust collector for food processing.
Another factor here is if you want to set up multiple independent dust collectors or a centralized unit. Smaller facilities may benefit from a centralized dust collector setup, while expansive factories might want to consider a decentralized filtration system.
Airflow and Static Pressure
Airflow and static pressure play a key role in the efficiency of a dust collection system, as it helps in the filtering and air recycling process. To get this, we have to check the generated dust volume, the number of dust sources in the facility, and the ductwork layout.
Energy Requirements
Dust collector for food processing plants must not only have power and ideal filtration material but also have energy efficiency. Since you’ll be constantly using the dust collector, it should meet energy efficiency standards to regulate costs while staying eco-friendly.
Industry Compliance
Finally, your food processing dust collector must meet industry standards for safety and performance. Each region has its set of regulatory requirements, so it’s recommended to adhere to them for the safety of the workers and continuous plant performance.
Tysum Dust Control Solutions for Food Processing
Working with a dust collector manufacturer to supply food processing plants with effective and industry-standard dust collector for food processing. Trust the experience and proficiency of Tysum to meet your dust collector system needs, just as more than 500 clients in over 30 countries did.
Tysum designs, develops, and manufactures world-class dust collectors in baghouse and cartridge varieties, ideal for food processing plants of any size. We also produce and supply an assortment of filter materials that ensure a 99% collection of dust, dirt, and contaminants ranging from 0.5 to 50 microns. For OEM requirements, our expert engineers can craft custom dust collector systems and filters tailored to the specific needs of the food processing plant.
The entire production process is done in-house, thanks to our ISO9001-certified production facility equipped with the latest equipment and cutting-edge workshops. Securing numerous certifications from international regulators like CE, NFPA, and OSHA, our custom dust collectors for food processing are guaranteed to meet their standards for quality and performance. We conduct multiple quality checks during production and a meticulous testing process, giving each client confidence in our products. Moreover, we only use the best materials and electronic parts for our dust collector solutions, including those from Schneider, ABB, and Siemens.
With over 20 years of production expertise, we are one of China’s leading manufacturers of dust collection solutions. Focusing on innovation and quality, our team takes on any challenge and strives to provide lasting dust collectors for food processing solutions that will last for long.
Efficiency and Profitability, Maintained by Dust Collectors for Food Processing
Dust collectors for food processing help mitigate the risks involved in manufacturing and packaging food in a plant. By effectively filtering the harmful dust particles in the air and recycling clean air into the facility, the safety of the facility and the employees are improved significantly.
If you’re looking for a dust collector and filter material manufacturer to partner with, don’t hesitate to contact Tysum! We have industry experts who can assist in selecting the right machine for your needs and even develop custom solutions for your target market. Contact us today for a free quote.
