Plasma Pollution Prevention Dust Filtration and Collection System

The Oklahoma City Air Logistics Complex (OC-ALC) uses a variety of dust filtration and collection systems to capture hazardous byproducts of thermal and plasma spray processes including very fine metal and non-metal powders.  These systems typically capture dust byproducts in 55-gallon drums below the filtration system, which house a varying number of filters.  Legacy systems supporting plasma spray processes often experience unwanted escapes or accidental releases of the byproducts from the filter housing, waste drum collar seals and during drum change outs, which have necessitated a need for constant cleaning of dust byproducts in the work area. Additionally, filter change outs involve extensive PPE as well as tenting-off of production areas surrounding the filtration system to help contain dust as filters are removed and packaged for proper disposal.  As such OC-ALC is seeking a better dust filtration and collection system that minimizes escapes and accidental releases to avoid constant cleaning and extraordinary prevention measures during filter changes.  Ideally, such a system would allow the user to remove the contained filters and collected dust and transport them to a separate location (either temporary or permanent) where the filters and collected dust can be removed and placed in appropriate waste containers without unwanted escapes or accidental releases.  Alternatively, a system that contains the filters and dust collector could be disposed of in its entirety. Such systems should minimize escapes and accidental releases during normal operation and filter and dust collector change out over legacy dust filtration and collection systems.

An area where OC-ALC could potentially employ such a system is in support of its plasma spray operations.  Two possible locations where such systems could be installed are outside of OC-ALC building 3001.  The current available footprint for each system is nominally 12 feet by 8 feet.  They are connected to the plasma booths via ductwork that is approximately 175 feet and 150 feet long.  These systems are required to have a nominal flow of 10,000 CFM to achieve an air flow at the face of the exhaust inside the plasma booth in excess of 300 feet per minute.