An oil mist collector is a type of industrial air filter used to remove harmful airborne metal shavings and particles created by machining operations. An effective mist collector ensures a clean working environment, maintaining visibility and complying with workplace exposure limits set by OSHA.
Metal machining processes like turning, milling, drilling, grinding, drawing, boring, shearing and threading generate metal shavings that become oily compounds and are dispersed into the air as an unwanted byproduct. These mists are often toxic to workers and can also contaminate the environment outside of the machine shop. An oil mist collector is the only way to safely remove these dangerous contaminants from the air.
The size and type of your machine will determine the style of oil mist collector you require. Mist collectors are available in a range of sizes and styles including centrifugal separators, vee or drum-type filters and electrostatic precipitators. It is important to choose a system that can handle the amount of byproduct your machine produces.
An oil mist collector can be installed in a hood or directly on the machine. In some cases, an air compressor can be attached to the mist collector to increase the pressure for better filtration. This allows the system to operate in harsh conditions where airflow is reduced and contaminant concentration is higher than normal.
When choosing an oil mist collector it is important to consider the size of the machine, the volume of byproduct produced and the toxicity of the byproduct. You should also consider the type of metal shavings and the machining process. For example, some metal shavings are not toxic and are water-based, while others are oil-based and can be more difficult to collect.
A common choice is a five-stage filtration process designed to handle mists and other wet environments. It begins with a stainless-steel woven mesh that prevents iron chips from disrupting the air purification system. The second stage reduces finer mist droplets into larger ones using inertial impaction. This method uses a centrifugal force to impact the mist droplets with a deflecting surface and then agglomerates them into bigger drops for easier removal.
The third and final stage reduces the remaining mist droplets by using a final filter with a high efficiency rating. This step achieves 99% filtration for the particle size of 0.3 micron and lower. Additionally, many units have an integrated spraying system that cleans the demister filters and prolongs their life.
An additional factor to consider when selecting an oil mist collector is the maintenance required. This includes the amount of time and effort needed for cleaning and inspections of the filtration system and the nozzles. It is important to choose a system with easy-to-clean filters and nozzles that are easily accessible for routine maintenance.
Aeroex Technologies Inc has developed a variety of oil mist collectors to meet the unique requirements of various applications, industries and machines. Our innovative filtration techniques allow us to create high-efficiency mist collectors that maintain constant airflow and offer industry-leading filter lifespans.