Cartridge Collector Dye Test for leak detection

We were called in to do a leak test on a cartridge collector. It had visible dust emission just out of the stack.

With the system running, fluorescent powder was added to the dirty side of the cartridge filter. The collector was then shut down, and access doors were opened. Broken gasket seals (Figure 3 & 4) and one leaking cartridge with the help of black light (Figure 5) clearly came into view.

Figure 1 Dirty side of the collector

Figure 2 Dirty side of the collector

Figure 3 Broken and shrunk gasket

Figure 4 Broken gasket

Figure 5 Leak detected in a cartridge with the help of a black light

After the leaky cartridge and the broken gaskets were replaced, the cartridge collector worked normally again.

Later, a dust detector paired with a tower light alarm was installed on the ductwork behind the dust collector.

Any regular maintenance program for your baghouse/cartridge collector should include periodic Leak testing. This maintenance task helps to detect compromised filters, expose bag bleed-through, damaged tubesheets, or bad seals within your system that can lead to dust emission.

Leak Test, Air Balancing, Trouble-shooting, and System Evaluation services by Airvate

Dye test for bag/cartridge leak
Dust collection system and industrial ventilation system testing and Air Balancing
Technical services: field survey and dust collection system evaluation and trouble-shooting
New system start-up
Dust sample analysis
Dust collector selection and sizing: baghouse, wet scrubber, cyclone, settling chamber, drop-out box, etc.

Comments

Baghouse dye test for leak detection - 2

In a periodic test of a baghouse dust collection system, dye test for leak detection was done to the baghouse by following the test procedure. The system collects wood dust, and the bags were installed 4 years ago. The air after the baghouse is recirculated back to the workshop to save energy, especially in winter. The dye test easily found glowing spots on some bags adjacent to the tubesheet with the help of a black light wand (Figure 1&2) . These spots were thought to be caused by the bleed-through of the green dye powder; they were not indicators of broken bags. We put the dye test results in the comprehensive report for this periodic system test and explained our concerns to the customer. Figure 1 Glowing spots under black light on bags, image 1 Figure 2 Glowing spots under black light, image 2 Leak Test, Air Balancing, Trouble-shooting, and System Evaluation services by Airvate Dye test for bag/cartridge leak Dust collection system and industrial ventil...

Dust clogged up a baghouse

We were called in by a customer on one cold morning. Their dust collection system did not work when they turned on power as usual. First, we checked the ductwork to see if there was any dust accumulated inside from the sucking points, to the fan, then to the baghouse. It seemed the ductwork was not the problem. After being in the baghouse, the filtered air went back to the workshop. Then we opened the access door of the baghouse hopper, and what we saw showed us the problem: it was packed with wood dust (Figure 1). Figure 1 baghouse hopper packed with wood dust Later, the access door on the clean side of the baghouse was opened, and one bag was taken out, it was very clear that the dust even accumulated between bags (Figure 2). Figure 2 dust clogged up between bags After the dust was removed from the baghouse, the system was turned on. In the first 20 minutes, the baghouse was warmed up without dust loading. When this happened, the daytime temperature outdoors w...

Industrial Manuals, Standards and Codes I’ve Consulted

When doing calculations, designing, and/or on-site work, we have to figure out which standard and code (federal, state, local) we will follow. EPA and Permits EPA Title V Operating Permits (EPA) National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP), Rule 6X for metalworking operations (EPA) Method 22: visual determination of fugitive emissions from material sources (EPA) Method 9: Visual determination of the opacity of emissions from stationary sources NAAQS (National Ambient Air Quality Standards) On-site Measurement OSHA Technical Manual (OTM) Section II: Chapter 3, on-site Measurement (EPA) Method 22: visual determination of fugitive emissions from material sources (EPA) Method 9: Visual determination of the opacity of emissions from stationary sources Airborne Contaminants Cal/OSHA Title 8 Section 5155 - Airborne Contaminants OSHA (CFR, Title 29,1910) and Subpart Z - Toxic and Hazardous Substances OSHA 3348-05: Guidance for the Identification and...

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