Expert-Based-Computer Aided Design and Component Selection for Dust Collection Systems

Abstract

Environmental regulations regarding industrial pollution are getting tougher to keep high air quality. The design of proper system to meet specific requirements relays on selection of different filtration components. Components are available in a wide range of designs to meet various requirements of air filtration level, quantity, and characteristics of the contaminants to be removed. An expert system package for the selection of dust collectors' components is developed. The developed package utilizes database as well as knowledge base to aid the selection process based on practice and past experience. Industrial case studies are demonstrated to test the developed package and compare its results against the current systems design. The developed package in one case study estimated a minimum air flow rate of 60000 m 3 /hr, which is 30% higher than the existing value and a static pressure drop due to ducts of about 1900 Pa which is 30 % lower than the current value leading to improved air quality. In another case study the package results indicated the need to minimize the value of air flow to be 2300 m 3 /hr, which is 50% lower than the current value and increase the external static pressure to 1700 Pa which is 70% higher than the existing design value leading to better filtration efficiency.