A dust collection system must capture contaminated air before dust spreads through the workshop. Capture effectiveness depends on hood position, air velocity and the relationship between the process source and surrounding airflow.
The duct network then conveys the dust-laden air to a cyclone, separator, filter or other collection device. The fan must overcome the resistance of the complete route while maintaining sufficient conveying velocity.
Dust type is critical. Fine fibers, light sawdust, hard particles, sticky dust and moist dust behave differently and may require different separators, fan materials, wear protection and maintenance access.
The fan must maintain the design airflow after pressure loss from capture hoods, ducts, branches, separators, filters, dampers and the final discharge route is included.
Filter resistance may increase as dust accumulates. Selection should consider the expected operating condition rather than only the clean-filter pressure shown at startup.
The fan is positioned before the final collector or filter, so dust-laden air passes through the impeller. This arrangement requires careful review of particle hardness, concentration, buildup and wear.
The fan is installed after effective separation or filtration. Cleaner air through the impeller can reduce wear, but filter leakage and the confirmed residual dust level still require review.
For a new project, airflow should be distributed across all active hoods while maintaining suitable duct velocity and sufficient pressure at the most unfavorable branch.
Existing-system diagnosis should compare the current airflow and pressure with filter condition, duct blockage, branch balance, air leakage and fan wear.
The fan may be installed on the dirty side or clean side depending on the system design. Clean-side installation after effective filtration can reduce fan wear, while dirty-side installation requires careful review of dust type, particle hardness and fan structure.
Provide required airflow, total pressure, dust type, concentration, particle size, hardness, moisture, temperature, duct layout, collector resistance and installation position.
Hard or abrasive particles can accelerate impeller and casing wear. A cyclone, separator or suitable dust collector should normally remove these particles before the fan inlet.
Filter resistance is part of the total system pressure. As filters load with dust, resistance can rise, so the design point and maintenance condition should both be considered.
Only when the air is sufficiently cleaned and the remaining dust concentration, temperature and medium condition are within the fan's confirmed limits. Raw dusty air requires a more suitable fan direction.
C6-48 is a primary direction for light dust, fibers and wood-chip airflow. Higher-resistance projects may require 9-19 or 9-26 review, while a 4-72 direction is limited to suitably filtered clean-side exhaust.