Managed vs engineered approach These two strategies address how to control combustible dust

and even though the goal is the same, the principles undergirding each approach are vastly different. Let’s examine each approach, and determine its strengths and weaknesses.

Managed approach A managed approach is essentially manual housekeeping. In this

scenario, third-party cleaning services or plant employees remove accumulated dust intermittently. The interval of cleaning depends on the processing and the type of particles because the more dust generated, the more frequent the cleaning required.

The approach looks like this: A person gets up on a ladder (worst case scenario) or on a scissor lift and starts removing the dust from overhead structures and processing equipment. Once the dust settles on the floor it is then removed from the building.

The cost of cleaning for this approach varies widely. A range of prices has been reported to me, including Larry Baker, president of Fuzion Solution, who noted that one company in the paper and pulp industry spends an average US$2.40 per square foot on manual cleaning. Another cost is for one woodworking facility, which amounted to US$0.40 per square foot. Another is a small mill that reported spending US$10,000 monthly on manual cleaning.

So the cost is present at whatever level but the question remains: Is that a good solution for the price?

BenefitsA managed approach is the status quo solution. Before

technological advances were made, manual housekeeping was the only solution available.

Many people find that ongoing cleaning is an attractive option because there are low upfront costs. You don’t have to invest a lot of money at one time to continue either using cleaning services or using your employees to manage combustible dust levels.

What’s more, manual cleaning for combustible dust can even appear not to cost anything, as it is absorbed in operational budgets. It costs, of course, but that cost is buried, which appeals to some companies’ budgeting process. Continuing in this way just seems like less of a hassle.

Manual cleaning also does not need a strategic plan, which can be viewed as a benefit. If companies do not have a capital investment plan, it can be extremely difficult to allocate the funds needed for an engineered approach. Even if the engineered solutions can show ROI for the installation, some companies can’t secure the initial investment needed. Within this framework, ongoing manual cleaning is appealing.

NEW REGULATORY STANDARDS AND PRACTICAL SOLUTIONS

by W Brad Carr, President, SonicAire, USA

Last month, we outlined the new regulations that grain processors needed to be aware of. This included the new NFPA 652 and OSHA initiatives. This month we delve into the array of options available to control combustible dust. Grain processors need to be aware of the strengths and

weaknesses of each before choosing the smartest approach.

PART 2

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Weaknesses A managed approach means that personnel or third party

businesses clean the overhead structures on a continuing basis. This means that these personnel are at risk when cleaning overhead areas, which is considered a mandatory activity. If you have ever seen anyone on a ladder or scissor lift in those high-ceiling plants, you will know exactly what I mean. This seems to be a solution that uses dangerous practices to eliminate a dangerous situation. That’s not a trade-off that makes sense to me.

The second weakness in a managed approach is equally problematic. Given the fact that people are scheduled to clean at certain time intervals, it is axiomatic that there are times when the facility does not comply with safety standards. As I said earlier, there is basically a zero-tolerance approach to fugitive dust buildup. The cyclical nature of manual cleaning allows for too much accumulated dust, preventing the plant from being in compliance with OSHA.

The third weakness is a monetary one. A managed approach requires never-ending costs. You have to keep the cleaning services forever because you are always cleaning up after the fact.

Not only are there ongoing costs that continue for the duration of the life of the plant, there is also lost production time when the cleaning takes place. You can’t clean safely when the machines are operating. Inevitably, lost production means lost profits.

Engineered approachReferred to as automated housekeeping, the assumption of

an engineered approach is that technology can be leveraged to automate cleaning processes and continuously protect against the

risks of combustible dust accumulation. Two types of engineering solutions exist and the first is

localized filtration. With this, the equipment captures the combustible dust by either vacuuming or suctioning. This approach is often needed, but the reality is that it can’t be used alone. Localized filtrations simply can’t capture every particle of dust. There is always fugitive dust.

The second technology is barrier technology, which prevents fugitive dust from accumulating on overhead structures. With barrier technology, a robotic clean fan automatically establishes and maintains OSHA compliance throughout the plant. With this approach, there is a one-time deep clean of fugitive dust, and once that dust is removed, the barrier technology prevents new dust from ever accumulating again.

Often there is a synergy between the filtration and the barrier technologies for enterprise-wide compliance, because they can be effectively used together in one facility.

BenefitsThe value of using technology stems from its simple operating

principle: It is better to prevent dust from accumulating instead of cleaning it up afterwards. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, and only engineered solutions have a proactive approach to prevent dust from accumulating.

The first benefit is that employees are not put at risk to clean. No longer do people have to climb ladders, mount scaffolds or scissor lifts to reach the fugitive dust in overhead areas. Often in these cases, personnel have to extend their bodies beyond the confines of the scissor lift to make sure all the dust is removed. With an engineered approach, these safety hazards are eliminated.

The second benefit is that a one-time investment means a

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permanent clean. Professionals can show the ROI of their expenditures, amortizing the costs against the ongoing costs of manual cleaning. The duration of the payoff will depend on the technology chosen. An engineered approach allows for automated, controlled cleaning that doesn’t interfere with production.

Most significant is the benefit that an engineered approach means that plants can now be in continuous compliance. Depending on the sophistication of the specific technology, it

also delivers consistently higher levels of clean to meet or exceed those standards. Plants can avoid stiff fines and more importantly, keep their employees safe continually.

WeaknessesThe most difficult part of an engineered approach is breaking

with the status quo because of budgeting processes. You have to budget strategically for the capital investment required for any engineered solution. Far too often, we stay comfortable with the status quo until something cataclysmic happens. The tragedy of a combustible dust explosion then forces a change.

Another issue is that you have to be careful about how the technology is used. Firstly, the equipment has to be appropriated and installed correctly, and the technology needs to be used continuously so process areas are clean. Secondly, for clean fans, you don’t want to robotically clean more than a 90-100’ diameter per fan because there are too many obstacles in the way.

The effective solution• Initial cost• Operating cost• On-going labor cost• Employee morale• Energy usage• Disruption to normal production

To conclude, we know we have to control combustible dust, regardless of the complications. If we fail to do so, we will have to deal with the consequences of combustible dust controlling us. So regardless of where the regulations are, we should do the right thing to prevent an explosion. We have nothing to lose – except for combustible dust.

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Ad_allState.indd 3 01/08/2016 09:49

"we know we have to control combustible dust, regardless of the complications. If we fail to do so, we will have to deal with the consequences of combustible dust controlling us. So regardless of where the regulations are, we should do the right thing to prevent an explosion."

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