Dust and Fume Control

Health & safety legislation exists to ensure the welfare of employees in the workplace, making it the responsibility of the employee to identify any hazardous substances used or produced in processes. A large number of industrial processes require effective and efficient control of different types of fumes and dusts to ensure protection of employees and compliance with the CoSHH Regulations 2002 (As Amended). MECHON specialises in extraction systems that remove and filter harmful airborne substances and hazardous dusts from working environments.

MECHON utilises local exhaust ventilation (LEV) systems as the main control technique for reducing employee exposure to hazardous substances. Hoods are employed to capture the fumes at source, conveying them through a system of ductwork to either an abatement plant or atmosphere. The MECHON solution also focuses on the nature of the substance, including hazard identification, occupational (workplace) exposure limits, toxicity, explosive limits, corrosivity, and chemical compatibility.

Hoods Design

Whilst any abatement (filtration) plant forms a crucial part of any system, MECHON pays particular attention to the design of the extraction hoods and ductwork systems: correctly designed hoods and ductwork systems will ensure lower airborne exposure levels, reduced extraction rates, and minimal disruption to the process.

Specialised hoods include

	Rear extract booths		Laminar downflow booths
	Canopy Hoods		Bag filling stations
	Spray Booths		Air brake hoods
	Containment enclosures		Fume cupboards
	Downward draft tables		Articulated Arms

Dust Control Systems

Extracted dusts must be suitably filtered to ensure limited impact on the surrounding environment and guarantee compliance with the Environmental Protection and Pollution Prevention & Control Acts. Various filter types are at our disposal to achieve this aim, these filters include:

	Reverse Jet Bag Filters (normally with polyester-needlefelt elements)		HEPA Filters
	Cartridge Filters		Wet Collectors
	Shaker Filters		High Efficiency cyclones
	Silo venting filters		Dust Suppression systems
	Sintered Filters

Fume Control Systems

Fume control poses a particular challenge when abatement and dispersion is required: statuary instruments such as the Environmental Protection Act, Pollution Prevention & Control Regulations, and the Solvent Emissions Regulations stipulate how substances are discharged to atmosphere.

Abatement techniques include

	Activated carbon filters		Electrostatic precipitators
	Fume scrubbers		Chemical filters
	Oil mist filters		HEPA Filters

MECHON has a vast amount of experience in the handling of hazardous dusts, which are extremely toxic or at high risk of causing dust explosions. Specialised ductwork systems and filtration plant, such as wet collectors (precipitators) and sintered type filters, are installed in these types of applications. All equipment installed in potentially explosive atmospheres are ATEX approved, ensuring compliance with the DSEAR Regulations 2002.