Page 23 - OHS, January/February 2022

sometimes half of seemingly comparable systems, may have a higher purchase price; however, many times the difffference between initial cost is recouped within few months through compressed air savings.
Since Venturi powered vacuum cleaners have no moving parts, and are therefore virtually maintenance free, except for occasional replacement of filters and exhaust mufflers, it is not unusual to see them in service for 20 to 30 years, making them the most economical and reliable systems for dust mitigation.
Buyers of air-powered vacuum cleaners should seek out manufacturers that offer lifetime guarantees for their Venturi units, ensuring they are getting the most bang for their buck. Electric powered vacuum cleaners are available in single phase and three phase options with vacuum equalizer kits that allow the use of off the shelf static conductive collection bags that eliminate dust clouds associated with dumping debris.
Continuous bagging industrial vacuum models are also available for combustible dusts. These units not only eliminate dust clouds associated with dumping of drums or rigid collection container, but also avoid a potential cause of back injury by eliminating the need to lift large bags of dust and debris from containers. When simultaneously vacuuming by multiple users is needed, or for larger spread-out facilities where a central vacuum system would be cost prohibitive, portable breakaway central vacuum systems that have the ability to operate within smaller
fifixed networks, or as portable vacuum systems, are available. ThThese larger portable units utilize positive-displacement rotary- lobe vacuum pumps that provide 50 percent more vacuum power with consistent airflflow for quick recovery of materials from large piles and over long distances. ThThere is always a cheaper version of something that you can buy, but cheaper does not always equate to long term cost savings.
Energy costs, ease of use and time-saving technologies, such as tool-less assembly and quick, dust free filter cleaning technologies are all factors that provide facilities value when purchasing heavy duty combustible dust vacuum cleaners for hazard mitigation.
The easier a piece of equipment is to use, such as portable vacuum cleaners, the more likely operators are to regularly use them as directed by safety protocols. Working with a seasoned vacuum technology expert with deep knowledge of materials characteristics and NFPA guidelines as it relates to combustible dust promises a system that enables facilities to comply with combustible dust standards specific to plant needs.
REFERENCES
1. https://lasp.colorado.edu/home/2021/11/08/tiny-grains-severe- damage-lasp-led-research-shows-how-hyper velocity-dust-impacts-can- damage-a-spacecraft-and-disturb-its-operations/
2. https://dustsafetyscience.com/2020-report-summary/
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