Though inputs and outputs may look similar, each foundry's process can vary greatly from other foundries across the industry. For example, the die casting process is significantly different from that of sand casting or forging.
Regardless of the method, processing metal creates dust, smoke, and fumes that are harmful to employ health, operational equipment, and the quality of finished products.
Keller's Clean Casting brings air filtration to every step of the casting / metal forming process. With increasing focus on improving air quality standards and the explosive properties of light alloy metals, it has never been more important to ensure the solution and process match.
How can Keller bring value to your operations?
By providing products and expertise to address concerns for each process phase: from melting to forming to finishing.
Gaseous matter might be adhesive or odorous during some casting processes. These sticky fumes quickly clog the pores of the filter element causing premature failure of the dust collector. Without proper filtration material and capturing, this type of fume can cause problems in the dust collection process (particularly the ductwork), leaving employees and equipment exposed to harmful particulates and operational accidents.
Potential Dust Collector Remedies:
This combination not only provides long filter life with constant 24-hour airflow but has additional ancillary benefits of reduced fire risk due to the addition of inert powder into the mixture of dirty air emissions and potential smell reduction (absorption of hydrocarbons).
Keller also provides wet scrubbers and mist collectors with pre-spraying processes that can help address issues raised by gaseous fumes.
Fires in dust collector systems rely on two factors: fire load (the fuel for the fire) and ignition source (the source for the fire).
The fire load can exist due to one of more of the following fuels:
The source of the fire can come from internal or external sources:
1. Internal Ignition Source (Inside the Dust Collector)
2. External Ignition Source
Some potential solutions to reduce the risk for fires include:
The manner of capturing dust and fumes depends on the production process in use. Optimally, fumes are captured at the source.
However, for some foundry processes, the parts being handled are too large or unconventionally shaped to allow for source capturing while still allowing an employee to work efficiently. In these situations, custom capturing elements or an ambient collection of fumes is needed.
Select a Step in Your Process to Learn More