Oil, Smoke, and Mist Collection Air Cleaners

Why Media-Based Equipment is the Better Choice

Industrial applications that require mist collection equipment are too many to name. Whether it be curing smoke emitted during rubber manufacturing, chemical mists produced from petroleum processing, or vapors emitted while metal cutting auto engine parts, air cleaning is necessary – as is choosing the right mist collection system.

Why Mist Collection?

Mist collection equipment differs from traditional indoor air pollution removal products in that mist collectors capture fluid droplets, oil smoke, and coolant fumes. The removal of these pollutants serves multiple purposes, including:

Cost Savings – lowering costs resulting from broken equipment and employee downtime

Equipment Efficiency – increasing productivity and extending the life of machinery

Government Compliance – meeting safety standards set by OSHA and state and local governments

Health & Safety – guarding against toxic inhalation and/or falls from slippery flooring

Which Type of Oil Mist Collector is Right for You?

The short answer is that it depends on the application and scale of operation. However, more often than not, media-based mist collectors are the superior choice, for a variety of reasons.

Media-Based Versus Centrifugal Systems

Media-based mist collectors utilize blowers to collect contaminants, sending them through a layered filtering process. The oils and mists meld before landing in a collection tray, allowing the fluid to be collected and reused or discarded.

Centrifugal (rotary) mist collectors use a high-speed rotating drum to forcibly remove mists and vapors for disposal.

Based on the descriptions of the two systems, they appear similar. But a side-by-side comparison proves otherwise.

Expense: Media-based collectors often have lower upfront costs and can recycle machining fluids. Centrifugal (rotary) units require frequent pad replacements as well as the potential for costly drum replacement.

Equipment Efficiency: Media-based air cleaners are superior for high-volume, ongoing collection purposes. Centrifugal collectors are not built for heavy-duty, continual operations.

Longevity: Media-based units provide high storage capacity for contaminants, requiring less maintenance. And with proper care and manufacturer-recommended filter replacements, media-based units can last longer than other mist collection systems. Centrifugal cleaners can experience a decline in performance over time.

Noise Level: Media-based equipment includes built-in sound absorption from the multi-layered filtration system. Centrifugal units are known to generate significant noise from vibration and high-speed operations.  

Versatility: Media-based systems can be used for both wet and dry filtration, dense smoke removal, and both large and small particle-capture. Centrifugal units fall short in collecting fine particulate matter and heavy-duty smoke.

At AIR Systems, Inc., we have the experience, depth of knowledge, and our superior Extract-All Oil Mist Collection products to protect our customers and their employees from indoor air pollution. Contact us today to schedule a free air quality assessment with one of our skilled and experienced specialists.