GWS ATEX Vacuum Equipment used to remove combustible dust from Material Recycling Facility

ATEX compliant GWS Vacuum Equipment has recently been used by Prestige Cleaning Services to remove combustible dust from a new, state of the art Material recycling Facility (MRF) in Devon. 

The new £6m facility helps Plymouth’s residents recycle more of their rubbish into high quality materials. It uses some of the most advanced automated materials sorting equipment available, including sensor technology that uses infrared to scan material and ‘air knives’ – strong blasts of air that blow material off conveyor belts into the correct material stream, saving the need for hand sorting.  A side effect of this process is dust creation, which can lead to dust settling on ledges and surfaces, within the facility, creating a potential health and safety risk.

ATEX Compliant, reliable and powerful

Scott Williams, Managing Director of Prestige explained ‘Despite having dust suppression and ventilation systems in place, they cannot wholly eradicate the dust that escapes into the environment. As the dust was a potentially combustible mix of paper, cardboard, plastics we needed to use ATEX compliant equipment.’  Scott went on to add ‘the client also had a very challenging, short time frame, for us to complete the work. We used GWS vacuum equipment because not only is it fully compliant, it is reliable and powerful’. 

Supplying the correct equipment for the job

Selina Wright, Customer Services Manager at GWS Vacuum Equipment said ‘we supplied Prestige with our 50 Series Diesel Vacuum Machine and Filter Hopper. The Filter Hopper is ideal for dusty product as it has a bank of 1 micron filters, which totally stop even the finest of dusts. Product is then dispensed into 1-Ton FIBC Big Bags, which are tied shut.  All the dust is contained, helping to create a safe and clean working environment’.

She went on to add ‘for use with combustible dusts we can provide vacuum equipment fitted with fully ATEX compliant explosion relief vents.  The equipment is generally located outside and flexible anti-static hoses run to the work.  Due to the power of the equipment, multiple operators can vacuum simultaneously, to enable work to be completed quickly, even using long hose runs, or in high level areas ’.

For further information on our range of industrial vacuum equipment or to speak directly to one of our expert engineers, contact our friendly team now on Tel: (01724) 856665 or Email: mail@gwsvacuum.co.uk