Ambient Capture System vs. Source Capture System

An ambient air cleaning system is a highly effective method of capturing air contaminants without requiring hoods, ductwork, arms or other source capture devices.

Micro-Air® MC3000

Sample Ambient Capture System

 

Unit shown with source capture plenum

 

Ambient System Air Volume Total 19,800 Cfm with system total of 6,000 sq. ft. of filter media; System equipped with four (4) Micro-Air® Model MC3000 cartridge units each equipped with four (4) high efficiency, fire retardant cartridge filters, 5 Hp. 208/230/460 volt, three phase blowers providing 3,300 Cfm, motor starter and overload protectors, built in silencer, Patented Roto-Pulse™ filter cleaning system, washable spark arrestor prefilters and choice of high capacity hopper or dust tray.

Cost per Cfm = $1.94/per Cfm

 

Advantages

• Takes zero floor space
• Includes built-in silencers and operates at lower noise levels than a central system.

• Overload circuitry protection included in pricing.
• Much better smoke collection
• Requires NO operator input and can not be disabled or not used like the arms
• Much less prone to damage from misuse or abuse
• Built in Spark Arrestors.
• If operations are moved simply move the air cleaner along with them. 
• Clean air exhaust actually acts to keep stagnated air circulated and filtered, helping the overall air quality of the plant.
• Each MC3000 unit captures the ambient air contaminants, removes them, and exhausts the contaminant free air toward the next consecutive air purifier in the pattern.
• If one unit has a problem, the others are still working. 
• Filter replacements can be staggered into bi-monthly increments, keeping budgetary constraints in check.
• If for some reason, an individual unit needs to be shut down, it can be done without affecting the entire air cleaning system.
• Lower installation and annual operating costs.
• Absolutely no weather related problems: freezing, icing, condensation, etc.

 

Disadvantages

• Six (6) electrical drops vs. 1.
• Six (6) places to change filters.
• Twenty-four (24) cartridge filters to change.

 

 

 Sample Source Capture System

 

 

Sample System Air Volume Total of 9,000 Cfm; Unit equipped with sixteen (16) fire retardant cartridge filters totaling over 4,000 Sq. ft. of media, blower, and Roto-Pulse™ filter cleaning system, noise attenuator, SCA source capture arms, and QF Quick-Fit ductwork. Cost per Cfm= $4.66/ per Cfm

Advantages

• Located in central location for filter change-out or any other maintenance.
• Source capture arms capture virtually all air contaminants being produced provided the arms are properly positioned.
• All dust disposal is in one location. This can also be a disadvantage because the system needs to be shut down to empty the barrels.

                                                                                                                                   

Disadvantages

• Entire system must be shut down if any problems arise.
• Source capture arm must be properly positioned to capture air contaminants. Arms need to be within 24” from weld.
• Requires ductwork, i.e. more up front cost on the equipment side.
• Cost of energy consumed is much more on the larger single fan than that of several smaller fans producing the same CFM.
• If floor space is at a premium as it is in most manufacturing facilities, the RP units take up 28 square feet.
• Overloads and Starters need to be purchased separately.
• If operations are moved, more than likely, the ductwork has to be rearranged, possibly requiring further expenditures and definitely requiring the hassle of re-balancing air flow throughout the entire system.
• Filters must all be changed at one time and can put a strain on that month’s budget.
• If one person or department is working overtime, the entire system must be running, decreasing overall filter life and increasing energy costs.
• Much higher system costs, up–front and annual.
• Much more prone to valve freezing, condensation build-up, frost and icing problems due to moisture in the air.

 

Call our Omaha office for more information!

800-873-3458