Do I Need a Particulate Monitor for My Dust

Collector?
Do I Need a Particulate Monitor for My Dust Collector?
Rising cost and stricter EPA regulations have many
facilities looking at particulate monitors as a way
to reduce cost and meet EPA standards. Any
facility with a dust collector knows that eventually
filters or cartridges will break and when they do it
is costly. Broken filters can be a health hazard to
employees, damage blowers, cause the loss of
valuable material, and require the facility to pay
fines to air pollution authorities. Facilities now
realize the cost of a particulate monitor is
minuscule in comparison to their cost savings. In
some instances particulate monitors can offer
return-on-investment in just a few short months!
What is a Particulate Monitor?
Before particulate monitors, opacity monitoring
and periodic stack testing were the only methods
excepted by the EPA. Opacity monitoring and
periodic stack testing were extremely slow and
costly methods for testing particulate discharge. A
particulate monitor is a device that is mounted in
the discharge stack of a dust collector and continuously monitors the amount of
particulate discharge. The particulate monitor uses a technology known as
Triboelectric or Triboelectricity. When two different materials come in contact, it is
likely that one will leave with more electrons than it started with and the other will
leave with less, this is called Triboelectric Effect. The interaction between the probe
and particles produces a charge transfer within the probe. The charge is then converted

to an output signal. Triboelectric dust monitors fall into two categories: AC and DC
monitors. Both AC and DC are proven methods for monitoring relative particulate
levels.
EPA
The EPA[1] plays a large role in determining if a facility must monitor the amount of
particulate their dust collectors emit. The Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990[2] require
the U.S. EPA to regulate emissions of toxic air pollutants using technology-based
standards. These standards are known as the National Emissions Standards for
Hazardous Air Pollutants[3] (NESHAP) and the Maximum Achievable Control
Technology[4] (MACT) standards. MACT standards[5] require facilities to meet specific
emissions limits that are based on the emissions levels already achieved by the bestperforming similar facilities. The purpose of the final NESHAP is to protect the public
health which is done by reducing discharges of air toxins from air emission sources.
Maintenance
Sometimes facilities have a difficult time justifying the cost of particulate monitors.
Many facilities forget to look at the larger picture. Immediate detection allows facilities
to reduce blower wear, avoid costly fines, prolong filter life, reduce labor cost, and
reduce employees exposure to hazardous dust. Facilities can also monitor several dust
collectors from a central location allowing personnel to react to bag tears or brakes
immediately reducing the environmental impact. By knowing the amount of
particulate flowing though a dust collection system, the amount of unnecessary
emissions can be reduced. Plant maintenance personnel can plan for bag replacements
using the data obtained from the particulate monitoring system. For energy
conservation, many facilities re-circulate the air used in the duct collection system.
If we look at the return-on-investment of a particulate monitor, the payback period is
typically a few short months.
Solution
When selecting a particulate monitor there are a few applications parameters that must
be taken into account:

What type of monitoring is required?

Some particulate monitors offer a simple 4-20mA output that can be monitored in a
control room. Other monitors offer a 4-20mA output and switches which allow the
ability to monitor and control a dust collector.
Will the particulate monitor be located in a hazardous location?
Based on the classification of the area the monitor will be located, it may need to be
intrinsically safe or explosion-proof.
How will the particulate monitor be mounted?
Monitors are available with several types of process connections ranging from tri-clamp
quick connections to flanges.
What is the duct size and shape?
The probe should extend at least halfway across the duct but not touch the other side.
What is the process temperature range?
It is important to make sure the process temperature falls within the allowable range of
the particulate monitor. Some applications may require a high temperature option.
Both the PMT[6] and PMS[7]/DPM[8] Series are available with a variety of probe lengths,
process connections, high process temperature options and weatherproof or
intrinsically safe enclosures.
Our staff of Inside Sales Engineers are also available to help assist in configuring a
particulate monitor to best fit your application. Now that you know the tremendous
benefits of particulate monitors, we hope to hear from you soon.
1. http://www.epa.gov/
2. http://www.epa.gov/air/caa/overview.txt
3. http://www.epa.gov/compliance/monitoring/programs/caa/neshaps.html

4. http://www.epa.gov/ttn/atw/112g/112gpg.html
5. http://www.epa.gov/ttn/atw/eparules.html
6. http://www.dwyer-inst.com/Product/ProcessControl/Particulate-DustorBrokenBagTransmitters/SeriesPMT
7. http://www.dwyer-inst.com/Product/ProcessControl/Particulate-DustorBrokenBagSensors/SeriesPMS
8. http://www.dwyer-inst.com/Product/ProcessControl/Particulate-DustorBrokenBagSensors/SeriesDPM