Dust abatement in a wood industry

In woodworking companies, dust abatement is a crucial aspect. 

Firstly, wood dust can pose a serious threat to workers' health as inhaling fine wood particles can cause a variety of respiratory problems. Furthermore, they can represent a fire and explosion risk if present in high concentrations in the air and if there is a possible source of ignition. 

Secondly, dust abatement also helps to preserve the surrounding environment. Airborne wood particles can settle on soil and water, causing environmental contamination that can damage local ecosystems and affect air quality. 

This is why it is essential to implement effective systems for their abatement, for example as we did in the case of one of our customers who produces wood panels.

Our client company, which is based in Central Italy, is one of the most important producers of pressed wood panels in Europe.

The company was facing a significant problem relating to the treatment of dust emissions that originate inside two warehouses where pressed wood panels are produced for the furniture industry.

We proposed to the customer to install a spraying system with fixed lines in order to cover the two affected areas with a micronized jet of water, in order to create an environment that forces the dust to absorb the water through hygroscopic action.

The resulting weight of the dust allows it to fall almost immediately by gravity to the ground, avoiding its air dispersion in the environment. 

We have therefore planned the preparation of lines with nozzles with a shorter distance between axes near the belts and machinery (in area A and area B), and a greater distance between axes in area C used for handling: 

• Area A: lines positioned centrally and fixed under the three belts for a total of approximately 300 m of line and 300 spraying nozzles; 
• Area B: two equally spaced lines fixed under the roof with nozzles directed alternately at 120 degrees to each other thus covering the entire area for a total of approximately 200 m of line and 60 spraying nozzles;

• Area C: lines positioned on the perimeter of the door with nozzles directed inwards to prevent dust from escaping for a total of approximately 100 m of line and 24 nozzles.

Through a combination of dust abatement systems and a synergistic approach, the company has managed to improve the working environment and reduce dust emissions by over 50%. 

If you want to know more about how to reduce dust emissions with water mist barrier technology, read this in-depth article.