Power of Comparison

Vortex Filtration Systems vs. Alternatives

• Central dust collection systems often require the installation of additional ductwork, a discharge airlock, and some way to dispose of collected dusts – or, someway to reintroduce collected dusts back into the manufacturing process. The Vortex® In-Line Filtration System is more cost-effective than central dust collection systems because it is a self-contained unit.

• Compared to central dust collection systems, the Vortex In-Line Filtration System is a better performing unit. This is because central dust collection systems are exactly that: centralized. Often times, the central dust collector is located away from the point of loading. A central dust collector also supports other equipment throughout the process, which creates multiple “pick-up points” in the dust collection system. In order for the central dust collector to be connected to each of these processes, ductwork can become lengthy and with many bends. In addition, faulty connections may allow air and dusts to escape to atmosphere. Each of these variables can impact the strength and balance of air withdrawal, which limits the overall performance of a dust collection system.Because the Vortex In-Line Filtration System is a self-contained unit which keeps captured dusts at the point of loading, it ensures that air withdrawal strength and other performance factors are kept constant.

• Central dust collection systems often incorporate larger-sized exhaust blowers, typically ranging from 20-100 horsepower (HP) – and sometimes, even larger. Because central dust collection systems also support other stages in the process, the exhaust blowers are running almost constantly – even when loading operations are not being performed. This results in high electrical consumption. Alternatively, the Vortex In-Line Filtration System features a stand-alone exhaust blower which runs only when loading operations are being performed. Therefore, the Vortex In-Line Filtration System significantly reduces energy costs.

• Other in-line filtration systems offered by the industry have bulky designs, making them challenging to install in limited space applications. The Vortex In-Line Filtration System’s compact, square-shaped design is ideal for limited space installations.

• Other in-line filtration systems offered by the industry have horizontally mounted filter cartridges, which allow heavy, high density dusts to build up in the filters. These dusts may not be dislodged by pulse cleaning. To address this issue, the filter cartridges can be periodically accessed and maintained to help dislodge dusts – but this recreates the original workplace safety problem of employee dust exposure and its potential health risks. The Vortex In-Line Filtration System’s filter cartridges are vertically mounted to allow dusts to release from the filter pleats without having to fight gravity. This reduces the load on a filter cartridge and helps extend its service life. Vertical mounting also reduces employee dust exposure, since the filter compartments must only be opened for filter cartridge replacement or infrequent maintenance.

• The Vortex In-Line Filtration System is not a dust “collector”; it is a dust “filter.” The primary difference being that with the Vortex In-Line Filtration System, dusts are temporarily captured before being purged back out of the filter cartridges and back into the material flowstream. By better managing dusts at the point of loading instead of routing them to a central dust collection system, it results in the following benefits:

• Improved profitability by loading out the dusts as product, rather than moving them to a central dust collector as waste.

• By continuously purging dusts back out of the filters, it keeps the filters clear and increases their service life.

• If a central dust collection system’s waste storage container is not regularly emptied, dusts may back up in the system and create clogs. This can result in dust overflow, which may cause dusts to escape to atmosphere and can create potential hazards in the workplace. Because the Vortex In-Line Filtration System is a self-contained unit which continuously filters and reintroduces dusts back into the material flow stream, rather than collecting dusts, this concern is addressed.

• Many in-line filtration systems incorporate two spiral hoses at each filter cartridge: one hose to force compressed air into the filter cartridges, and a second hose to exhaust spent air back out of the filter cartridges. Over time, these hoses can rot and crack, which may cause failures in the reverse pulse jet system. To reduce spare parts necessity and other maintenance costs, the Vortex In-Line Filtration System has replaced the second (exhaust) hose with an exhaust cap. The exhaust cap draws spent air directly through the filter cartridge before it is exhausted to atmosphere.