Sandblasting: preventing the risks associated with the dusts generated

Sandblasting is a widely-used intermediate production process among manufacturers. Technically, it's a mechanical process that uses an adjustable jet of sand and air to clean and erode the surface layer of a semi-finished product in order to prepare it for the next processing phase.

The semi-finished products to be subjected to sandblasting can be made from various materials (steel, cast iron, metal alloys, ceramics, stone, marble, etc.), which, following the abrasion process, immediately release dusts into the air that can be potentially harmful to both the workers and the external environment.

The dusts produced during industrial processes must therefore be treated with extreme caution because, in many cases, they risk becoming explosive. Based on their nature, therefore, these dusts are divided into 3 different classes of risk (St.1, St.2 and St.3): the higher the class, the greater the probability of explosion.

In order to eliminate these hazards, guarantee safe working conditions (without health and/or safety risks) and comply with the legal requirements in the field of air purification, sandblasting cabins must be equipped with reliable dust extraction and air purification systems.

Thanks to the expertise it has acquired in this field, SO.TEC has come up with various types of industrial dedusting systems.

The dedusting systems manufactured by SO.TEC are divided into three categories:

• Systems with FMK25 cassette dust filters: these compact units provide for maximum filtration efficiency and an expandable maximum capacity of up to 10,000 m3/h (the filters can be installed externally or else directly where dust is generated)
• Systems with Atex FMKZ25 and FKZ25 dust filters: these filters are equipped with reinforced bodies in order to ensure maximum protection even when used in conjunction with highly flammable/explosive dusts
• Systems with FMC200 cartridge filters: compact, state-of-the-art filtration systems with an expandable maximum capacity of up to 21,200 m3/h

Its ability to produce various dedusting systems allows SO.TEC to better meet its customers' needs based on the amount of dust produced, the available space, the hazard level, the risk of dust flammability, and so on.