Dust extraction is vital in any commercial or industrial setting. It is especially essential in industrial applications where processes release airborne particles like chips, dust, fumes, and other materials that affect visibility. Installing a dust extraction system moves clean air into the space while eliminating the contaminated air. This continuous process results in a safe working environment free of hazards. Duct bend, say, duct elbow, plays an important role in the dust extraction or process ventilation application.
In any dust extraction system, you will use ductwork and components like sound attenuators, tees, bends, dampers, and reducers. These components are essential in the proper working of the system as they impede or enhance its efficiency. We will walk you through the role of duct bends in the dust extraction system in this post. Moreover, we will point out mistakes you must avoid when incorporating duct bends into any dust extraction system.
The Role of Duct Bends
Duct bends, also referred to as ducting bends, duct elbow, are integral components of the dust extraction system. These are the sections where airflow direction changes and are essential in directing the air in and out of the industrial or commercial workspace. Given the change in direction, these components can also be a source of concern. They can limit the airflow if they are not smooth or big enough to handle it. In some cases, the bends can also cause blockage, thus getting in the way of process ventilation.
The use of duct bends in ducting systems provides the following benefits:
- The process ventilation becomes more efficient, thus creating a safer and cleaner working environment,
- The contaminants in the air get eliminated, reducing the risk of combustible dust, which can result in explosions. Plus, with the contaminants out of the way, respiratory issues are less likely to occur,
- Industrial ventilation systems meet the required standards. The lack of efficient duct bends can lead to public health safety concerns. But with good bends on your side, the process ventilation should work as it should, and
- You spend less money on utility costs. Duct bends enhance the flow of air through the ducting systems. And the better it is, the less money you spend on energy costs as the machines will be more effective.
Thus, integrating proper ducting bends in your system is of the utmost importance.
Where Can You Use Duct Bends?
Duct bends are often used in dust extraction systems that feature flexible hoses or hard-fixed ducts. You can also incorporate them in the following applications:
- Low-pressure pneumatic conveying,
- Exhaust air conveying, and
- Bulk goods handling.
Any application that requires a uniform flow of air can benefit from having duct bends.
Common Duct Bend Mistakes to Avoid
We’ve mentioned that duct bends determine the flow of air upon the change in direction. Thus, your duct bend choice affects the dust extraction system efficiency. What mistakes should you avoid?
6 duct elbow
1. Choosing the wrong diameter
If you choose a duct bend that is too narrow, the dust extraction system will suffer from speed reductions and can even get blocked. But what about large diameters? These reduce the velocity of their air as the air suddenly moves through a much larger space, resulting in dispersion. The best duct diameter is one that matches your ducting system. Talk to us about measuring your system to get the right duct bend.
2. Going for Duct Bends with a Short Radius
90 degree duct elbow
The length of the duct bend determines how much time the air has to adjust to the change in direction. If you use a short duct bend, the air suddenly changes direction. And this results in a steep reduction in its speed. The key is to find a duct bend with a gentle change in direction. Thus, while the speed may still reduce a bit, it won’t be enough to interfere with the efficiency of the process ventilation.
3. Failing to Observe Minimal Distance Requirements
The spacing of the duct bends from other components in the dust extraction system is essential. The dust extraction system suffers resistance when you place the bends too near reducers, dampers, and other components. So, as much as the duct bend might be the right size and have a smooth bend, the airflow would suffer. As such, the components in the dust extraction system would end up lodged inside the system, reducing its efficiency. We can walk you through the correct component diameters to use and how to go about spacing to avoid such issues.
4. Using the Wrong Materials
The duct bend material should reflect the materials coursing through the system. For example, if you want to collect dust, you can use PVC or metal duct bends. The PVC options are lightweight and affordable, and easy to use. And the metal ones are sturdy, have minimal static discharge, and are more durable. In a system where moisture gets into the ducts, stainless steel would be ideal to avoid corrosion.
