A dust collector is a system used to improve the quality of air produced by industrial and commercial processes by collecting dust and other impurities from air or gas. A dust collector system is designed to accommodate high volumes of dust. It consists of a blower, dust filter, a filter-cleaning system, and a dust receptacle or dust removal system. 

Before you buy a dust collector there are some things you should think about. Read on to find out what they are: 

The reason you want a dust collector can vary for different situations like whether you are collecting wood chips, soybeans, or welding fumes. So it is important to understand the processes that create dust as well as the kind of dust that is being generated. You need to think about how long the dust is generated for, whether there are multiple processes, different schedules for the processes, and so on. All these conditions affect the number and style of the dust collector you choose. 

Is the Dust Collector Configurable? 

In the case of dust collectors, a generic approach does not work, and one dust collector cannot meet every customer’s needs. Consider if your dust collector supplier can give you the features you need. Often space constraints or footprints are reasons for customizing a dust collector. Find out if your dust collector supplier can incorporate accessories like discharge apparatus, monitoring tools, or fire and explosion handling devices. Do they modify the collector with special pressure ratings if needed? How often do they provide such services and can they advise on such situations?

What is the Range of Dust Collector Solutions Available? 

Check if there are different dust collectors available for different needs. You need to find one that matches your process perfectly and a one-size-fits-all solution might not work for you. You can choose to have centralized dust collectors or dedicated ones for parts of a process as your need might be. 

Utility requirements also play an important role in selecting a dust collector. Is compressed air readily available at the site? How often will the dust collector be used? Who will maintain and operate the dust collector? How much power will it consume? How will you monitor the air quality level?- these are some of the common questions that should be raised before going for dust collectors. 

What is Required for Smooth Installation? 

The size of the dust collector and the location where it will be installed are the two main factors when it comes to installing it. Large central dust collectors need one or more cranes, and an installing contractor to fabricate and install the pipes and other equipment. Smaller dust collectors are installed near the site of dust creation and do not need pipes and therefore, only a fork truck and routing of electrical and compressed air supplies are required for installation.

How to Get Good Value for Money? 

The dust collection strategy does not end with buying and installing a dust collector. You need to consider operational costs as well. You will need to factor in energy consumption, replacement of parts and filters, and lost production due to downtime. Figure out the different operational costs of different collectors before buying one. 

What Kind of Support do you Get? 

A dust collector will be used long term and it is important to remember that you will need replacement parts and filters. Your dust collector supplier should be able to get you these replacements easily. They should also be able to support you when technical issues crop up. Contacting your maintenance person should be easy enough so that you get the right support on time. 

Make a well-informed decision after considering all your requirements and options, so that you get the best out of your dust collector.