TABLE OF CONTENTS This chapter consists of two subsections: a section about gas-solid separations and a section in which a variety of other topics of interest in chemical processing are discussed. The subjects in this latter section do not readily fit into categories in other chapters but are nevertheless valuable in applications in the chemical process industries. The objective here is to describe the principles involved, to point out the main applications, and to refer to sources of more information.
Equipment manufacturers mentioned in this chapter can be identified in the Thomas Register and in the Chemical Engineering Buyers' Guide.
The removal of solids from a gas or air stream is of great industrial importance. This is especially true in the last two or three decades with the increased requirements for effective solids removal from solid-laden streams mandated by law. In addition to environmental control requirements, there are health considerations not only in the workplace but also in the environment surrounding the plant site. Companies have an interest in being good corporate citizens by controlling various emissions from the plant.
Dust collection is the process of removal and collection of solids in a gas phase. Its purpose is to
Control air pollution from various industrial plants
Eliminate safety and health hazards from the workplace in which grinding, milling, and packaging operations take place
Recover valuable products from dryers, conveyors, bagging equipment, and so on, for recycling back into a process
Reduce equipment maintenance on rotating equipment caused by dusts
