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As a business, it is critical to have an efficient process. The goal is always to find the lowest cost for the best outcome. Cruise vessels move large volumes of air internally for heating, ventilating, and cooling, hotel laundry operations, commercial kitchen ventilation, propulsion engine air scrubbing, and so on. A typical cruise or land-based hotel laundry system with nine (9) high-capacity dryers incorporates eleven (11) or more air movers or fan blowers. Nine air movers at the dryers and an air mover for supply and exhaust to the main laundry. For marine air moving applications, savings can be realized by applying automation to these variable applications. However, many air movers (fans/blowers) are selected and applied without consideration of to process. Thus, a fan is either “on” or “off” without the benefit of cost savings. Photo of fan with lint accumulation Now add in the likelihood that the laundry system is not properly filtered. Lint passes through the laundry into the duct work and onto the exhaust fan (such as in the case shown here). Lint on the fan impedes airflow, raising the power output required. This raises the energy cost to run it as well. Not to mention the maintenance required to clean the dirty ductwork, exhaust stack, fan blades, liability insurance for the maintenance workers . . . that's all money down the drain. Air Dynamics Industrial Systems Corporation has designed its own Commercial Lint Removal System - Lint Removal System II (LRS II) to reduce wasted energy expenditure. • 99.9% Filtration @ 0.5 Micron • Pulse-Jet Filter System • Increased Energy Efficiency Additionally, the LRS II integrates into the laundry system, circumventing many of the inefficiencies of the air-moving process. Air Dynamics has been designing and installing turn-key ventilation systems and dealing with fluid dynamics challenges for over twenty-five years. Our systems are already trusted by Carnival, Cunard, Holland America, and other industry leaders. Call us to discuss how we can help you run a more efficient and safer laundry system.

Burnt Dryer Unit: Image Courtesy of U.S. Coast Guard A laundry lint fire in 1998 off the coast of Alaska forced the eyes of the maritime world back to the danger of an onboard fire at sea. Cruise-line industry leaders such as Holland America and Cunard knew it was time for an effective solution. But the first question was, how? Dryer Lint – A Prime Accelerant The standard laundry operation onboard marine vessels contains washers and dryers, with some employing lint removal systems. In an optimal scenario, this would remove all the lint before entering the ductwork. However, this is rarely the case. If the lint removal system’s filtration is not properly engineered, the system will pass the lint into the exhaust duct creating a fire hazard for the vessel. Since the hotel/crew laundry rooms are located low in the belly of the ship, lint exhausted into the ductwork can traverse the height of the ship. And if the lint can travel there, so can fire fueled by it. What is an effective laundry lint filter? A lint filter ranges in efficiency depending on the design. Most filters applied in lint removal systems are effective to 200 microns. This level of efficiency is not adequate for marine applications. Is there a better way to protect a vessel from a laundry lint fire? The first step is to determine how effective your filter is at removing lint. Ignoring lint accumulation is asking for disaster. One spark from a faulty wire, an absent-minded employee, or a misstep from a contractor can cause devastating fiscal losses. Delaying proper assessment due to a monetary concern can lead to exponentially more financial losses from liability lawsuits and ship repairs or loss of the entire vessel. Where to turn? When faced with this challenge, Holland America and Cunard chose Air Dynamics Industrial Systems Corporation. Since 2002, Air Dynamics has been continually retrofitting outdated systems onboard cruise liners around the United States and the world. Air Dynamics Industrial Systems Corporation has developed advanced lint removal systems with a focus on filtering materials otherwise ignored by competing systems. Our systems are effective to half a micron, trapping lint and pathogens and reducing topside emissions to zero. Additionally, the system offers greatly improved power efficiencies that can save thousands of dollars. Visit our website to see the improvements we’ve already made on many cruise-line vessels. Feel free to contact our engineering department to hear about our prior installs and the many ways we can improve ventilation systems onboard your vessel. Fire Prevention for Hotel Laundry - The LRS II This system is the LRS II installed on board a Carnival Cruise Vessel. Filtration to 0.5 microns ensures a clean laundry room and ductwork. The LRS II also boasts greatly increased energy efficiency that reduces overall expenditure. Already trusted by Holland America, Cunard, and Carnival, the LRS II can handle the continuous, heavy-duty work that other systems can't. Get ahead of the challenge, and get the right solution. Air Dynamics Industrial Systems Corporation. 717-854-4050 or visit us online @ www.airdynamics.net

Tips for Operation and Maintenance of Dust Collection Systems "In addition to the ongoing challenge of combustible dust, Pennsylvania feed and grain mills have been under increasing pressure by the FDA regulations to meet human food standards in the production of animal feed." Grain Mill Dust: The Basics Dust is produced from a variety of processes in the grain and feed industry, as well as many other manufacturing applications. Anytime the material (corn, wheat, soy, etc.) is modified, reduced, or mixed dust is produced as a by-product. This dust is commonly referred to as fugitive grain dust. Click the picture to Read a Dust Collection Case Study Dust collectors of all types from cyclones to cartridge filters and fabric filters are applied in the milling process to capture dust. In some cases, the dust is returned to the process, and in others, it is removed from the process as completely as possible - as in manufacturing for example. Make no mistake, dust collectors are not a set-and-forget animal. These systems have a personality that can change abruptly if you introduce something irregular such as wet compressed air or a change in the process it serves. In the case of grain milling, grain is fed into a milling machine from above while the reduced or modified material is dispensed into a material transfer system below for further disposition. Dust collection is applied to the milling common area where the milled product moves to the next portion of the operation: be it bagging, mixing, or storage. How to Collect the Dust, and What to Avoid Let’s assume a bag filter or fabric filter is applied to remove the grain dust prior to venting the air into the atmosphere. Modern filtration equipment is employed to keep the milling machine interior under a negative atmosphere or a slight vacuum to avoid blowing combustible dust into the facility. A slight vacuum is several inches of water column. The full vacuum would be 29.92 inches of mercury. To accomplish this, the filtration system must be properly sized. If undersized, the milling machine enclosure begins to spout dust. If over-sized, no harm is done to the process, only to the pocketbook in initial acquisition as well as maintenance and operating expenses. Filter cleaning for dust collectors can be timer-based (most expensive to operate, but least expensive to purchase) or pressure-based (least expensive to operate, but more expensive to purchase). To begin with, the filter cleaning system must be supplied with compressed air at all times. The air should be instrument quality for all systems mounted outdoors. Air compressors typically deliver air at a 37-degree dew point temperature. Think dry material, dry air, and dry filters. If any one of the three is wet, you will increase your energy and O&M costs significantly. Air pressure should initially be set to the lowest pressure recommended by the dust collector manufacturer. A pressure of 110 PSI is typically too high for cleaning a fabric filter dust collector. Many recommend 80 to 85 PSIG. Over-cleaning the filters due to excessive air pressure will shorten the filter life and other parts of the system as well as potentially create fugitive dust in or around the process. Filter Cleaning in Bag or Fabric Filter Dust Collectors. Recently, we visited a milling operation where the bag-type dust collector was supplied with compressed air (filter cleaning air) at 115 PSIG. A bag filter constructed of polyester felt at a weight of 16 oz. per square yard is referred to as depth-loading media. It is possible to over-clean these types of filters. Depth-loading media is a matrix of media fibers that create a hazardous path for the incoming particle. As material or dust accumulates on the filter exterior, the dust itself becomes the filter. The dust accumulation on the filter exterior becomes the “dust cake”. The dust cake is desirable as it can increase the filter media efficiency. The way to maintain a healthy dust cake is to manage the filter cleaning interval as well as the filter cleaning pressure. The filter cleaning pressure required is a function of the design of the cleaning system. It is determined from the airflow through the system, the size of the system and space, and the number of filters in the system. Use this information to calculate the pressure required. Once established, the filter cleaning air pressure and volume requirements should not change. Maintaining Your Dust Collector: Do’s and Don’ts Replace the diaphragm valves and springs on a yearly basis for timed filter applications and eighteen months for pressure-based applications. Alter these as required based on how the valves sound and perform (from new) when they pulse. A functioning system should of loud concussive sounds. A deteriorating system will have a reed-like noise. Be prepared to replace the electrical solenoids at the two-year mark for timed applications, and three years for pressure-based applications. When purchasing a dust collection system access to the electronics used to initiate the filter cleaning cycle should be located at chest height in the area of the collector, at platform level. Preferably, this enclosure should be located in a non-electrically classified area. Savings for the electrical enclosure itself can range in the many thousands of dollars for a non-classified electrical enclosure! If one of the filter/cage assemblies falls off during operation, the top or clean side of the dust collector will have to be accessed and cleaned spotless. If organic material finds its way in this area of the system it could spell contamination trouble in food applications. Replace the filters on a regular basis as recommended by the manufacturer. Typical applications for fabric filter bags are replaced at one-year intervals. Finally, if the product has made its way into the clean air section for the dust collector, the fan wheel blades will have been affected. Lock out and tag out the fan motor and wipe the fan wheel blades with a rag. A small build-up can have a large effect on system performance. If you'd like to learn more, please click here to view our Dust Collector Page and view feature sheets and case studies about our various dust collection installations and options.

Cleaning Chores When you are young, cleaning up your bedroom is a chore. How many times can you remember hearing the familiar refrain, “Go clean your room”, and having to trudge off to fix up a messy bedroom? The consequences for procrastinating could have been being scolded or grounded. We never worried about our personal space igniting into a destructive explosion. Dust collecting on your bedroom dresser was not going to deflagrate or explode. Housekeeping at work Today, we work in dusty environments where many dusts are combustible. How many of us make the connection between good housekeeping habits at home and good housekeeping habits at work? Look around your work environment. Do you see dust on overhead/horizontal surfaces in your facility? If so, you may have a potential problem. It is up to every individual that reads this to know or investigate the nature of the dust in your manufacturing environment. Many dusts that result from manufacturing are combustible. Over the last twenty-five years while working in the field of industrial ventilation I have personally missed TWO Explosion events. Fortunately, I was in the wrong place at the right time! The first event was an aluminum polishing operation where I toured the facility so I could provide a combustible dust collector proposal. I thought it odd that I could taste aluminum when I left the plant. Hint: if you can taste the particulate that is combustible, the concentrations of dust may be of sufficient quantities to foster a combustible dust explosion. The enterprise I visited had a proposal in four or five days. Thirty days later, BOOM! An aluminum dust cloud ignited where two employees were grinding aluminum. Aluminum burns fast, about 24,000 feet per second. It also burns hot. The clothing worn by the employees melted to their bodies, resulting in third degree burns. The second incident caused an explosion in a PVC plastics plant I was working in. I recall returning a ladder to an area of the plant where plastic dust was piled up like snow drifts about six inches deep along walls and equipment. A year later, an employee lost their life in that explosion. Even today, we as a company are invited to enter facilities where there are more than sufficient amounts of combustible wood dust, coffee dust, P.E.T. plastic dust and many others, yet some institutions continue to operate without safeguards in place. My odds of being in the wrong place at the wrong time increase over time. A plant explosion is a result of an alignment of at least five factors. See the pentagram of conditions below. So, you look at it and say to yourself, we don’t have that possibility here at our plant. Let’s examine the forensic findings of a large plastics facility that was leveled by a single explosion and resulting fire. What does it mean? OSHA has identified combustible dust as, “. . . defined as a solid material composed of distinct particles or pieces, regardless of size, shape, or chemical composition, which presents a fire or deflagration hazard when suspended in air or some other oxidizing medium over a range of concentrations”[1] Critically, the dust must be fine to cause an explosion Are we getting it? OSHA recently re-issued the combustible dust initiative – CPL-008-003. WHY did OSHA have to re-issue a safety directive? The reason for the re-issuance was due to the Imperial Sugar plant explosion in Georgia. One of the plant’s managers predicted the impending explosion. Yet, employees still went to work and managers continued to operate under less than favorable conditions and the danger was plainly visible to the naked eye. In Plain Sight Are you cognizant of the visible signs of danger in your plant or are you oblivious to the potential danger of dust accumulation? Does your plant take a proactive approach to safety or a reactive approach to safety? The answer(s) surround you. Ask or determine the composition of the products your plant manufactures or works with. OSHA publishes a Combustible Dust Poster that lists types of dust and their propensity to combust, explode, or deflagrate. See it here - There is a relatively inexpensive go/no-go test for determining if a suspected dust is combustible. Have your dust tested. If you have determined the dust is combustible, walk to the area of the plant where you know there is a buildup of dust. Look on overhead rafters, bar joists, tops of equipment, crane rails, conduits, pipes, etc. If the dust layer is thicker than a paper clip, it’s time to decide. You are now no longer oblivious to the possibility of a future event that may change the course of your life and others around you as well as the potential for a future event to damage or destroy the facility you work in. Institute a housekeeping plan per OSHA’s recommendation. Verify that all processes that create dust are addressed per the ACGIH’s Industrial Ventilation, Manual of Recommended Practice (www.acgih.org) and NFPA’s Guideline publications for the handling of combustible dusts. See the NFPA website for details - http://www.nfpa.org/codes-and-standards/all-codes-and-standards/list-of-codes-and-standards/detail?code=654 It is a well-understood fact that dust explosions are a serious matter. Dust explosions are a relatively frequent, highly preventable occurrence. OSHA has developed an extensive list of materials that can deflagrate or cause a catastrophic explosion. A Formula for Disaster Dust explosions are not based solely on the fine granulation of the dust. There are five key components that must be met for each explosion to occur: 1. Combustible Dust 2. Confinement of Dust Cloud 3. Dispersion of the Dust Cloud within the Confined Space 4. Oxygen, as with any fire, and 5. The Ignition Source. The combined effect of these five ingredients can produce a disaster. Additionally, a key component to consider besides the main five conditions is the material being handled. Each particulate has what is called Kst value (speed of pressure rise) ranging between 0 - >300, and a P-max value (maximum pressure of a dust cloud explosion) determined by the dust in question. These two figures are used to determine the Explosion Severity Test. Each kind of dust also has varied levels of explosion points determined by the ‘ignition sensitivity’ and the ‘explosion severity’. The explosive index is a set range between 0 - 10. Materials low on the scale are at low risk, and those higher far more volatile. This scale is similar to the Kst and P-Max determined Explosion Severity Test. An occasionally overlooked combustible fuel besides many of the commonly considered combustible dusts like wood by-products, fugitive grain dust, and combustible metals is the plastic industry. No matter the fuel, the devastating results remain the same. The plastic industry has experienced many of the same challenges faced by others handling combustible materials. OSHA has listed many guidelines on how to handle combustible material, but much of the implementation is left to the employer’s discretion. This leaves many tough questions for manufacturers who need to meet shareholders' expectations via the bottom line and at the same time, ensure a safe work environment for their employees and the future earnings of the company. This article will provide a general example of factors to consider when modifying, shaping, processing, blending, mixing, transporting, collecting, filling, or handling combustible materials. Out of sight – out of mind It’s true the example plants above did not have all five conditions present during any one of the plant's normal processes. However, over time a mixture of plastic dust built up layers above the ceiling forming a chemical mixture of combustible dust. Then, one day the plant was destroyed when a small “event” occurred in an enclosure. The event sent a shock wave through the plant, which dislodged the “mix” of plastics in the rafters. As the combustible mix rained down towards the small fire created during the first event the second event destroyed the entire plant. To clean or not to clean When developing a plan to protect your business from a negative event involving combustible dust, it is critical to consider how each element of the five conditions necessary for a dust explosion is represented in your facility. For this article, let us create a mock company, Plastic Co., to represent the do’s and don’ts of the combustible checklist. A common plastic used for varied applications is polyethylene terephthalate (PET) – more commonly known by its family name - polyester. PET has a relatively high Kst value of 156. Additionally, per studies conducted by the Department of the Interior PET ranks 7.5 out of 10 on their explosivity scale. In this article, we will use PET as an example of the product Plastic Co. produces to demonstrate specific ways in which combustible plastic dust can cause challenges, and explore possible solutions to them. Plastic dust is a by-product of the manufacturing and recycling process. When the plastic composite is being machined, heated, and formed, bits are shaved off and distributed on the floor and in the air. The size of the dust is determined by the application or specific operation. This is critical to understanding how volatile your dust may be. Dust that is coarse has a less likely chance of explosion than dust that is very fine. OSHA stipulates that dust that can pass through a U.S. No. 40 standard sieve (420 microns) has the capacity to explode, combust or deflagrate. Below: Dust collecting on pipes & rafters Let’s look at our example of PET to see a specific application. PET dust in certain applications can easily pass through a U.S No. 40 standard sieve. At Plastics Co. the manufacturing facility has high ceilings with cross beams for support, and ledges along the walls. These spaces provide surfaces that permit PET dust to accumulate quickly. The standard house-cleaning process employs compressed air blow down of the accumulated dust followed by a manual sweep of the piles. Although this process is inefficient (herding dust) it is also a high-risk behavior. Dust blown off ledges etc. easily recirculates in the plant and nearby HVAC returns where it is re-distributed into other areas of the facility! Eventually, these areas can accumulate to dangerous levels. The standard rule by OSHA is any plastics over 1/8th of an inch, and in some cases, 1/32” have the capacity to explode. 1/32” is the thickness of a single paper clip. Now the layered dust shouldn’t be cause for too much alarm. Remember, it is the combined effects of the five conditions that cause the explosion. But it is important to keep in mind that most facilities are already “contained” by the walls of the building. Furthermore, the PET dust located on the rafters and ledges is a breath of air away from forming a dust cloud. This coupled with the compressed air cleaning having spread dust around to far corners of the facility has produced dispersion. And finally, the air itself within the facility produces the fourth piece of our explosive pentagon - oxidation. All that is left is the spark from a faulty wire, machine, or careless mistake. When placed in comparative perspective, it becomes quite clear the virulent danger implicit in the manufacturing process of plastics, and all combustible materials. These hazards increase the longer no action is taken. Don’t wait for disaster. Allow your eyes to be the conduit for awareness and your knowledge to seek out a solution for yourself and others around you. Work Cited https://www.osha.gov/Publications/3371combustible-dust.pdf [1] See OSHA’s “Hazard Communications Guidance for Combustible Dust”

Your material handling operation has grown, and it’s finally time to consider updating to a system that not only transfers your product faster but does so without the mess and affected air quality of antiquated mechanical material handling systems. While there’s no arguing that a new pneumatic conveyor system is an investment, there’s also no denying the countless benefits that come with the implementation of this advanced technology in your facility. Curious about how a pneumatic conveyor can help you save money, keep your facility safer, expedite processes, and help boost sales? Keep reading to learn more. What Is a Pneumatic Conveyor? To put it simply, a pneumatic conveyor is a material handling system designed to easily transport granules, powders, or other dry bulk material through a fully enclosed conveying line. This advanced transfer technology involves a flow of gas or air from a source, like a fan or a blower, combined with a pressure differential. Material is fed into the conveyor line, and a dust collection system removes the particles in the air. Unlike other types of conveying systems which can move paste or wet materials, pneumatic conveyors are designed for dry materials like sand, powdered chemicals and minerals, sugar, flour, and food ingredients. What’s Wrong With My Old Mechanical Conveying System? The mechanical conveying system in your facility may “get the job done”, but is it doing so in a way that is energy efficient, clean, and fast? Most likely not. A mechanical conveying system runs in a straight line with few directional changes. For each directional change, the system requires an additional motor and drive. That’s a lot of moving parts! Most mechanical conveying systems are also open to the ambient air in your facility, rather than closed with the added protection of a dust collector. This means that all the dust being produced in the mechanical handling process escapes into the air of your facility, increasing the danger of dust explosion and negatively affecting air and finished product quality. If you’ve ever opened a bag of flour in your kitchen and seen the mess that can cause, just imagine that multiplied by a few thousand, with far more dangerous dusts than flour. Above: Mechanical Conveyor at a facility we serviced. | Notice the excess dust covering the outside and ground. Wasted product and a dust explosion hazard. Another common complaint about mechanical conveying systems is the amount of space they take up and the required horsepower, which can make a big difference in a facility with a smaller footprint. As mentioned before, every change in direction requires another motor and drive. That kind of power output adds up quickly! So a Pneumatic Conveyor is Better? Since material in a pneumatic conveying system is transferred through a streamlined, small-diameter pipeline, there is much less energy needed for the process, and material is transferred faster and with less material lost due to fugitive dust. In a pneumatic conveyor, a custom pipe can be created to bend around the equipment already in place at your facility, so it takes up no extra space. On the topic of space, a pneumatic conveyor also has a considerably smaller footprint than your existing mechanical conveyor, so it may even free up additional floor space. If you aren’t already convinced of the benefits of this superior, dust-free material transfer utility, consider that a pneumatic conveyor has fewer moving parts, meaning fewer parts to replace or repair; that’s money saved in the long run! If you’re interested in learning how a pneumatic conveyor system can improve your material handling process, contact Air Dynamics. Or visit our Pneumatic Conveying page by clicking here.

As manufacturers, our goal is to always provide the top product for consumers or commercial manufacturers to use. We hire the best chemists, engineers, and top safety personnel to train our staff on production protocol, as well as handling and site safety. However, many overlook the very standards we are supposed to uphold as manufacturers. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration continues to uphold workplace safety standards and regulate the hazards of combustible dusts, but as many of us know that is often overlooked by the manufacturers at the expense of the employees entrusted with producing consumer and commercial goods. The same employees work day after day in an environment that they rely on for being safe. Why wouldn’t manufacturers comply, and ensure the health and safety of their employees? One possible explanation is a lack of proper education on the dangers of combustible dust. While dust explosions, or deflagrations as they are termed, have been recorded since the 18th century it is easy to think old adage, "It won't happen to me". So even when a company deals with dust considered combustible, the problem gets swept under the rug, literally. It's an understandable decision. There is an endless string of work and decisions to be made for management, and dust control is just one of the many. The difference with combustible dust though is the complete devastation that can occur. Combustible dusts are fine particles that present an explosion hazard when suspended in air in certain conditions. Usually organic or metal in nature, a dust explosion can be catastrophic and cause employee deaths, injuries, and destruction of entire buildings. In many combustible dust incidents, employers and employees are simply unaware that a hazard even exists, or they simply ignore it, which we have seen in a number of cases. Dust is surprisingly pervasive and lethal. Industries that are at risk of combustible dust explosion hazards exist in a variety of industries, including agriculture. chemicals, food (e.g .. candy, sugar. spice, starch, flour. feed). grain, fertilizer, tobacco, plastics, wood, paper, pulp, rubber, furniture, textiles, pesticides, pharmaceuticals, tire and rubber manufacturing, dyes, coal, metal processing, recycling operations, and fossil fuel power generation. Combustible dust can detonate from as little as the static electricity caused by the movement of particles alone. Many have noticed a trend through the years that industries are aware of the hazards and choose to push them under the carpet. Not only placing their employees in danger on a daily basis, but also the consumer or commercial goods that are produced, the environment around the facility, and the community of which they are a part. Dust-related fires and explosions continue to impact a range of industries and the people who work in them around the globe. Why is the safety of our employees and facilities, not a concern until after a major incident causing death and injuries happens? It is important to determine if your company has a hazard, and if you do, you must take action now to prevent tragic consequences. Even a thin layer of dust the width of a paperclip, once airborne, can be ignited by the smallest spark. Although manufacturers keep to general housekeeping by sweeping the floors and ensuring proper ventilation systems that scrub the air, most manufacturers overlook the build-up along beams, piping, and other surfaces that may be beyond the reach of everyday cleaning. They don’t see it; they don’t clean it. All the more reason for manufacturers to continuously be aware of the hazards that exist and take corrective action when noticed. Refrain from using brooms or compressed air to clean dust. Rather, use a vacuum approved specifically for combustible dust collection. These vacuums must be OSHA-certified “Explosion proof.” Avoid having flat, unused surfaces where dust can accumulate. Ensure your facility uses and maintains appropriate ventilation equipment and systems. Be aware of worn equipment. such as bearings. can generate heat and become an ignition source. Keep all equipment in good condition. Eliminate unnecessary sources of ignition, including heat sources, friction, sparks, and open flames. There are three key entities involved in combustible dust issues, each with its own particular area of responsibility. Although these top three agencies are the responsible agencies for regulation, that doesn’t mean you need to wait until you are the one facing a fine. The National Fire Protection Association sets safety standards, amending and updating them on a regular basis. This fall the NFPA starts its first revision cycle of NFPA 652, the organization’s newly introduced combustible dust standard for general industry. Later this fall, the US Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is preparing to hold a panel examining the impacts of a proposed OSHA combustible dust standard on small businesses – the first major event in its combustible dust rulemaking process to be scheduled since 2010. OSHA’s role. together with local authorities, is to enforce the standards published by NFPA. Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, employers are responsible for providing safe and healthful workplaces for their employees. OSHA‘s role is to ensure these conditions for America’s working men and women by setting and enforcing standards and providing training, education, and assistance. The U.S. Chemical Safety Board is an independent federal agency responsible for investigating industrial chemical accidents. For more information and regulation changes visit OSHA. See our article in October 2016 issue of Facility Safety Management Magazine.

An intense dust storm blew through downtown York on Wednesday night, gathering strength on its way to Utah. That’s not a weather report, but a description of York-made industrial equipment that was on display for visitors as part of an open house at Air Dynamics Industrial Systems Corp. The Roosevelt Avenue company specializes in air pollution control systems, environmental simulators, and industrial vacuum systems. The 50,000-pound behemoth that roared for guests under the roof of a former air conditioning factory is one of Air Dynamics' MIL-STD-810 Desert Wind sand and dust environmental simulators. The simulators are used by the military and aircraft manufacturers to test the effects of desert conditions on everything from electronics to helmets, guns, missiles, and jet engines. The machines do that by blasting the hardware with intense doses of gritty dust, in temperatures of up to 160 degrees. Components from 16 manufacturers go into fabricating the custom simulators, which are assembled by a team of five. "It's something that we're really proud of," said general manager Aaron Lehman, who spearheaded the design and fabrication of the environmental testing simulator. That pride runs deep: This is a family business, founded by Lehman's father, Dan, a U.S. Air Force veteran. The company's seventh such machine built since 2009, the latest Desert Wind simulator soon will be shipped to the Dugway Proving Ground in Utah, a U.S. Army testing center for defense against chemical and biological weapons. The York-built machine will aid Army technicians in evaluating how intense desert conditions affect equipment, munitions, and weapons. For the family-run company, founded by a veteran, it's another opportunity to serve the nation — as the region's industries have been doing for generations. "York is a great place for this," Dan Lehman said. "We have a great workforce." Continue Reading this Article full link: http://www.cpbj.com/article/20160825/CPBJ01/160829894/yorks-air-dynamics-shows-off-latest-desert-wind-testing-machine-for-us-army

According to the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists, over ninety percent of dust collection systems are improperly designed or installed. If you just read our blog about how Dust Collection Units can Save you Stress and Money, you already know the necessity of installing a properly designed industrial dust collection system in your facility. The world-class dust collectors we design and manufacture at Air Dynamics can prevent the effects of air pollution in your facility, including dust explosions and worker illness caused by dust inhalation. We know that all industrial manufacturing, food processing, and fabrication facilities are different, and that’s why we offer extensive configurations of dust collector systems, each with different features to make them highly functional for your unique application. Below, we’ll share a little bit about each type to help you begin thinking about which is right for your company’s needs. Cartridge Filter Dust Collectors Ideal for manufacturing facilities in industries like Aerospace or automotive, where metal processing applications such as grinding, sanding, welding, and soldering are common, this heavy-duty dust collector can be custom-built to meet your process demands. Cartridge filter dust collectors are highly effective where the dust particulate is of a specific size and shape. A cartridge filter incorporates a significant amount of media per unit volume. Therefore the dust cannot be fibrous so as to bridge between the pleats of the cartridge. One of the most valuable features of this system is the benefit of a low-pressure drop across the unit, meaning it consumes 30% less energy than traditional dust collector design. This reduces the frequency of maintenance and lowers operating costs. Considering cartridge filter dust collectors for your application? Learn more details and compare the different available models. Fabric Filter Dust Collectors Fabric Filter Dust Collectors are ideal for all manufacturing operations that produce dust, including wood and all fibrous dust. Available in many different models as well as custom configurations, these advanced dust collection systems feature some of the same benefits as cartridge filter dust collectors, but with a different filter media and shape. High-strength inlet deflectors help protect the fabric bags from the wear caused by abrasive dust particles over time, helping to extend the life of the filter bag. Available with your choice of hopper shape, the units can be custom-built to fit your unique application but always include our engineered filter cleaning system for unmatched continuous duty performance, convenient service access doors, and a high-efficiency fan on the clean side of the system. Convinced that a fabric filter dust collector is right for your application? Learn more details first, then contact us and speak to one of our helpful design engineers. Compact Dust Collectors Compact dust collectors are suitable where there is a requirement for portability or small manufacturing operations. If fumes, gases, vapors, dust, and other contaminants are an air quality concern in your manufacturing or processing facility, a compact dust collector might be the ideal solution. With the choice of portable, floor-mounted, or suspended models, the heavy-duty construction allows for an entirely customized filtration solution for your unique needs. Compact dust collectors are effective for capturing and controlling fumes, smoke, and dust. A polysorb carbon after filter for fumes or a HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Arrestance) filter for final filtration of fumes and respirable particulate. Our portable industrial dust collector is ideal for smaller facilities that produce smoke and fumes such as welding where hexavalent chrome and other hazardous air pollutants are generated. Despite the smaller size, this advanced dust and contaminant collector features the same reliable construction and powerful filter cleaning system as larger standalone models. Does a compact dust collector sound like the right air-quality solution for your facility? Learn the other details about this innovative system and if you still have questions, contact us today. We’re Here to Help! If you’re still unsure about which dust collection system is suitable for your application, we’re happy to help. Here at Air Dynamics, we’ve built our reputation on our ability to design and manufacture dust collection and pollution control equipment for facilities of all sizes in just about every industry. When you contact us, we’ll take the time to get to know your needs, recommending or custom designing a dust collection system that removes dust, smoke, and contaminants from the air, giving you peace of mind and keeping your facility and workers safe. Contact us today to get started!

Whether you’re the owner of a powder coating company, a wood shop, a machine shop, a food production facility, or any other type of industrial manufacturing or fabrication facility, you already know that dust is an unavoidable part of everyday life, but the risks associated with dust don’t have to be! While traditional ventilation, regular cleaning, and the use of masks can accommodate a very small amount of dust in your facility, there’s no replacement for high-quality dust collection units to ensure the safety of your workspace as well as the health of your workers. Dust Can Be Deadly There’s nothing safe about combustible dust. Combustible dust in the air of manufacturing facilities pollutes the air, contributing to respiratory illnesses in workers and resulting in low morale, costly sick time, and slowed production due to skilled workers being out sick. Luckily, preventing the dangerous illnesses caused by dust inhalation is as simple as taking appropriate measures to ensure that the air is filtered and dust is contained in dust collection units. No matter what the size of your facility, there’s a dust collection system suitable for your unique needs. From compact dust collectors to cartridge filter dust collectors, there is a wide range of solutions available, and with the help of a dust collection design specialist, you can find the perfect fit for your specific application. The Danger of Dust When a large amount of powdered combustible material is in the air of your factory or manufacturing facility, there’s a much greater danger than workers inhaling it. From wood dust to corn starch to metal dust and powders, when there’s a high enough concentration of dust in an enclosed space with other oxidizing gases like oxygen, there’s a severe danger of dust explosion. OSHA reported that in 2010, 3 workers were killed in a titanium dust explosion in West Virginia. In 2008, 14 workers were killed in a sugar dust explosion in Georgia. These tragic accidents could have been prevented if the facilities had consulted a dust collection specialist who would have designed and installed dust collection units per the National Fire Protection Associations NFPA 654, NFPA 61, NFPA 484, NFPA 655, and NFPA 664 providing adequate air filtration and reducing or eliminating the danger. Protect Your Facility As proven by the sugar dust example, even the most benign materials can become deadly in a dust explosion, so no matter what type of dust is in your facility, caution should be taken. An advanced dust collection system design and installation could be the difference between business as usual and a catastrophe. In association with the NFPA and the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists, we at Air Dynamics are aware of the various dangers associated with combustible dust. That’s why we follow these recommendations and take the time to get to know the unique details of your business, analyze the processes, and then implement a comprehensive dust collection system that will improve the air quality, protect personnel and your facility, yielding peace of mind and improving the health and safety of your workers. Contact us today to learn how a few dust collection units can be a life-changing addition to your business.

The CKV HydroDynamic Scrubber™ is Suitable for 24/7 Cooking Operations Suitable for 24/7 operations, CKV HydroDynamic Scrubber™ is a wet scrubber that removes grease, smoke, and odor from commercial cooking process to reduce or eliminate chances of fire damage, grease-induced deterioration of rubber roofing, stains on building exterior, and contaminated HVAC coils. Using an approach suited to air-stream pollutants, the system effectively removes grease particulate and grease vapors in commercial kitchen ventilation (CKV) operations. Designed for commercial kitchen ventilation, the CKV HydroDynamic Scrubber™ removes grease, smoke, and odor from the commercial cooking process. Each year, commercial cooking operations cause more than $100 million dollars in fire damage to property. Other damage includes grease-induced deterioration of rubber roofing, stains on the building exterior, and contaminated HVAC coils resulting in high maintenance and energy costs. According to a 2006 white paper report commissioned by Food Service Consultants Society International (FSCI), current technology for CKV grease removal is far less than 50% efficient at grease removal. The commercial cooking process generates grease in the form of tiny droplets (particulate matter) and grease vapors (gas or condensable PM). Impingement-style filters and baffles are less than 50% efficient at capturing particulate matter (PM) greater than 2.5 microns in size. Filtration efficiency on grease particles is less than 2.5 microns and grease vapors is near zero. The U.S. EPA has designated certain areas throughout the country as non-attainment areas. These low-lying areas such as river basins and mountain valleys allow these fine particulates to settle out during temperature inversions and calm atmospheric conditions. PM 2.5 or respirable particulate is considered an environmental health hazard because the small particulate cannot be expelled by the lungs. How do we capture the grease droplets and vapor current CKV equipment exhausts into the atmosphere? The CKV HydroDynamic Scrubber™ uses an approach suited to the airstreams' pollutants. This technology becomes an ideal solution for grease, smoke, and odor. The CKV HydroDynamic Scrubber™ is highly effective in the removal of grease particulate and grease vapors in CKV operations. Please contact our engineers to discuss your commercial kitchen ventilation challenges. Air Dynamics Contact Information Phone: 717-854-4050 Email: sales@airdynamics.net Visit our website for more information: www.airdynamics.net

YORK, Pennsylvania USA – Air Dynamics Industrial Systems Corporation proudly announces another U.S. military client will receive their Desert Wind ™ Blowing Sand and Dust Environmental Simulator. The Blowing Sand and Dust Environmental Test Chamber will be delivered to the United States Naval Air Warfare Center, Aircraft Division Patuxent River MD. The sand and dust chamber will be used during performance testing of Naval qualification, the safety of flight, flight worthiness, and evaluation programs including Naval aircraft/shipboard/ground electrical and mechanical components and systems. The test chamber purchase was initially awarded to another firm under contract N68335-11-C-0226, by the U.S. Navy’s Lakehurst procurement in September 2011. The firm was awarded the contract for a low-price; however, the firm failed to deliver any technically acceptable substance to the Navy. Subsequently, the U.S. Navy issued a “Sources Sought” Request for Information under solicitation number N68335-13-RFI-0163. This RFI was pivotal in the Navy’s ability to sole-source a Desert Wind™ system from Air Dynamics. After delivering numerous blowing sand and dust test chambers to the U.S. military, Air Dynamics Industrial Systems Corporation is becoming recognized in the test and evaluation community as the leader in delivering innovative and significant test condition improvements to MIL-STD-810G Method 510.5 Procedure I (Blowing Dust) and Procedure II (Blowing Sand) testing capability in a single, dual purpose chamber. Specifically designed to test the effects of desert conditions on various hardware, this capability provides precise, independent control of the four test parameters including data logging and data output that advances the state-of-the-art for the United States military. The Desert Wind technology was recently granted a notice-of-allowance for a new patent by the United States Patent and Trademark Office. The product was accepted by Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC) as part of a contract for the U.S. Department of Defense and by Canada’s Aerospace Technology Center. The Director of Innovation & Development at the Aerospace Technology Center, where a Desert Wind is currently being operated, Stephane Carpentier had this to say…"The Desert Wind is the best technology we have found for testing and calibration laboratories. We use it within the aerospace and military sectors to assist the creation of parts development and provide part of the certification needed." Desert Wind can maintain temperatures as high as 200°F/93°C. With Allen-Bradley’s PLC, the system maintains instantaneous control of temperature, wind velocity, particle concentration, and relative humidity. Operator controls and information are displayed on AB’s Panel View color touchscreen. Each parameter, including concentration (mass/time), delivers repeatable test results using NIST-calibrated instrumentation. The chamber offers pre-programmed auto and manual operating modes as well as being thermally insulated for integration into any test and evaluation facility where MIL-STD-810, DO-160, or other blowing sand and dust testing standards may be required. About Air Dynamics Industrial Systems Corporation Air Dynamics is headquartered in York, PA, and is a Veteran owned family family-operated business that specializes in industrial ventilation systems, environmental simulators, dust collection, pneumatic conveying, and industrial vacuum systems. For more information about Air Dynamics Industrial Systems Corp., go to www.airdynamics.net

Air Dynamics Corporation developed the concept of Sand and Dust Environmental Simulation in a single test chamber. Capable of real-time monitoring each test parameter, the technology will provide repeatable results for MIL-STD-810G sand and dust testing for military hardware and the war fighter. In addition to MIL-STD-810G Blowing Sand and Dust Chamber, the sand and dust environmental simulator can be adapted meet test standards such as DO-160F and others. The Patent Pending Technology will provide the same capability to evaluate commercial products in a real-time, repeatable environment complete with data logging capability. Commercial applications include sand and dust testing for Automotive, Wind Turbine, Solar Panel and Aerospace manufacturing. Air Dynamics will be providing technical services to the U.S. Military in support of environmental simulation and testing development. Efforts under this task will provide enhanced testing capabilities in the simulation of environmental impact and equipment degradation in areas with significant airborne sand and dust. Air Dynamics will fabricate and install a Desert Wind™ Test Chamber for the U.S. Military. Specifically required for the project are engineering and technical support for the research, design, development, integration, test, evaluation, installation, software/firmware support, safety analysis and engineering related logistics for the procurement, production, maintenance, and related services for the Test Chamber systems, subsystems, equipment and components. Air Dynamics will provide test fixture design and development support for the Environmental Testing Branch including to design/development, validation, fabrication, and documentation. The process includes prototype design; prototype, developmental, qualification and OPEVAL fabrication and testing, product engineering, electronics integration, test fixture design and prototyping, value engineering, systems integration, reverse engineering, safety and failure analysis and repairs at the Military Test and Evaluation Division. We will test and evaluate systems, subsystems, equipment and components both locally at our manufacturing sites and the final installation site. We will also perform field service engineering tasks at the Division locations and private contractor facilities. Tasking at the Military Test Center will include installation and testing of new components and systems, trouble shooting and maintaining deployed equipment, and the installation and testing of alteration kits and components in accordance with applicable operational specifications. Background on the Project The impact of airborne sand and dust on DOD assets is a complex and challenging problem. In order to provide reliable data on equipment reaction to adverse environmental conditions, specialized test equipment is required. The new capability will provide an improvement to the Operational Readiness of the U.S. Armed Services. About Air Dynamics Industrial Systems Corporation Air Dynamics Industrial Systems Corporation is a custom Integrator and Manufacturer of Indoor Contaminant Control systems and Hybrid Air and Material Moving Systems. We are a veteran owned small business concern, established in 1991. We offer Pollution Control Systems, Vacuum Systems, Environmental Process Cooling, Energy Optimization, Product Development, Engineering & Design. For more information, please contact Daniel Lehman, 717-854-4050, dlehman@airdynamics.net, or visit our website for more information www.airdynamics.net