Bag Leak Detection Blog

Any investment in new technology, maintenance process or a management system is usually evaluated by the likely return on investment. Triboelectric particulate monitoring systems are no different. Many facilities are required to use the technology for compliance. In others, however, investing in a triboelectric particulate monitor may be a business decision, the same as adding additional instruments and controls. The calculation of ROI can be more complex when considering detectors all the way down to the compartment and row level, and when investing in baghouse control systems.

This article explores the 4 main benefits of triboelectric monitoring of PM emissions and provides some tips on justifying the investment.

Do you monitor your dust collectors?

Baghouses and dust collectors have the reputation for being neglected or a source of constant maintenance problems. Some facilities have to monitor their dust collectors based on their local, state or federal reguations. Thrugh the years it has been common to simply monitor the differential pressure, or just visually inspect the outlet stacks. Triboelectric broken bag detectors and bag leak detection systems have been around for decades now. Let’s take a look at how a triboelectric dust collector monitoring system can bring benefits to your facility.

An Opportunity Not a Hassle

Do you dread the task of managing you air permit renewal? Sure there's a process - but it's one that also provides a great opportunity to look at how your plant can improve operation while reducing costs.

The key is to take a different approach than simply copying the last permit application as many folks do. Certainly this involves more work, and requires an earlier start. (Want a reminder so that time doesn't slip away? We provide that service at no charge with a simple registration here.) By taking a fresh look, you'll often find opportunities to break the shackles of inefficiency that were built into your permit based on the best available technology at the time it was first written...which is often a decade or more ago. Imagine running today's plant with '90s computers!

Here are 3 tips to help you make your next air permit renewal a success and not just a refiling of paperwork. 

Tip #1 - Quit Taking Manual Readings and Automate Data Collection

Many options exist for monitoring various types of dust emissions including nuisance emissions, ambient/fugitive dust levels or emissions from a pollution control device such as an air scrubber or fabric filter dust collector. 

With ever more stringent regulations and the need for high performance from industrial processes in order to compete in a global marketplace, many facilities can no longer afford to install, operate and/or maintain outdated systems. The need for the best cannot be overlooked when considering operational and compliance issues for your facility. 

3 Reasons Why Accuracy Matters

Accuracy matters because accurate dust collection monitoring provides operators with the needed insight to operate, optimize and maintain these systems. Trying to operate a dust collector without accurate dust emissions data is like flying an airplane without an altimeter or driving a race car without a tachometer. Lack of data means poorer decision making and degraded performance.  

Air Permit Compliance is Confusing

Often facilities have a difficult time identifying exactly what local, state and federal regulators require of them regarding their dust collection systems. This is not unreasonable as the myriad of overlapping environmental, and health and safety requirements that affect dust collection systems can be quite the twisted knot to untangle. And stack monitoring requirements are just one more confusing twist in the knot. Many wonder if these monitoring requirements apply to them since their dust collection system is relatively simple and small scale. 

As we considered in our article Different Methods for Measuring PM Emissions and Filter Performance, plants face a difficult task comparing data derived from various methods of measuring PM emissions. Often  fabric filter manufacturers, dust collection system OEMs and other product manufacturers use units that are different than those used by regulatory authorities for emissions standards and for specific requirements of air permits.  

In the last article we considered methodologies used by control equipment manufacturers and their purpose such as grains per standard dry cubic foot, or parts per million. Now we will consider those used by regulatory agencies, their reasons for doing so, and how we can convert back and forth between them when needed. 

Cyclone Dust Collector Bridging & Other Hassles

Triboelectric dust detection systems can be used effectively to monitor a cyclone dust collector just as well as a fabric filter collector. In the same way that triboelectric systems can monitor baghouses for collection efficiency, operational output and maintenance needs, so to can they monitor cyclone dust collectors. In this article we'll take a quick look at common applications for cyclone collectors and then dig into two common operating problems that triboelectric detectors can assist with. 

Lots of information, but where to start?

As of Dec '16 we've published more than 75 articles on triboelectric dust detection technology and particulate emissions monitoring. They cover technical details, tips on use, suggestions to reduce downtime and operating cost and even how our technology is increasingly finding application in process industries for monitoring and control bulk dry goods conveying. 

We're committed to building this body of knowledge for emissions monitoring and process control experts worldwide. But with so much information, we know that sometimes folks new to the discipline may not know exactly where to start. So instead of boiling the ocean, here are three basic articles that we recommend reading first.

1. Triboelectric Dust Detection vs. Opacity Meters - Is there a difference?
2. Triboelectric instrumentation for process improvement
3. AC vs. DC - The role of signal Spectrum in triboelectric monitoring

Cement is a building block industry of global progress.  Roads, buildings, bridges, factories, stadiums, airports and more - everywhere we go, and everything we do is built on cement.  And because it’s everywhere many take it for granted….but not all of us

In fact, we’re focused on the cement industry and Auburn’s triboelectric detection devices are used for many different functions in cement plants around the world.

Who needs one more PM task....

Many wonder if their triboelectric bag leak detection system needs any kind of calibration to function properly. That's entirely understandable since many are accustomed to working with opacity meters or other older generations of equipment. Opacity meters require an initial calibration along with periodic calibration and rebuilds at specified intervals in order to stay accurate. 

While many OEMs can quickly state that “triboelectric systems do not need calibration” it can be confusing when some incorrectly refer to certain actions as “calibrating” their triboelectric unit.

So what is the truth, do you need to calibrate your triboelectric detector? 

Current generation Triboelectric Bag Leak Detection Systems Do Not Require Periodic or Initial Calibration