| A shaker dust collector was evaluated to 1. determine filter capacity in terms of mass loading, pressure drop, airflow, and runtime; 2. determine particle collection efficiency by size prior to and following repeated loadings.;A shaker dust collector was setup in the laboratory to take in contaminated air, collect dust, and exhaust treated air. For each loading test, Arizona road dust (~1 to 200 mum) was introduced into the airstream entering the dust collector at an emission rate and duration equivalent to 3-months in a swine barn in winter. Filter pressure drop and exhaust velocity pressure were measured throughout loading. Filter collection efficiency was tested using polydisperse solid glass microspheres (∼1 to 10 mum) and measured with an aerodynamic particle sizer at the startup and end of loadings. Cleaning cycles were run between loading tests.;Overall efficiency was 44% for new filter, and ranged from 27% for 1-mum particles, increasing to 96% for 10-mum particles. Collection efficiency for loaded filter was 99% overall, and 99% over the range of 1 to 10-mum particles. Following cleaning, overall efficiency was 91%, and 91% for 1-mum particles, increasing to 99% for 10-mum particles.;Exhaust airflow decreased linearly with pressure drop (R2=0.99) for all three loading tests. At shutdown, system airflows were approximately 700 cfm. Significant recovery of filter residual pressure was observed following primary and secondary cleanings (p<0.001). High removal efficiency was achieved after an initial loading period.;The shaker dust collector filter is anticipated to be sufficient to treat air continuously in a swine barn over a 3-month winter period. The engineering control system is recommended for further testing to improve indoor air quality inside a Midwestern farrowing barn during winter. |
