Success Story: Severe Fugitive Dust & Spillage Problems Solved with MaxZone®
Problem Summary
A recycled paper production plant in the southern U.S. was experiencing severe fugitive dust and spillage problems, resulting in continual environmental, maintenance, and health issues. Their system handled a fluff material comprised of recycled paper and bark, which proved very difficult to contain. A large portion of its support structure, main conveyor, and three entrance chutes had become dangerously misaligned from its original plumbed orientation and had sagged unevenly over its almost 50-year life span. Not only was the facility experiencing long amounts of time with clean-up, but they were also losing valuable product due to its severe spillage.
Benetech Solution
Benetech used a highly effective approach to total dust management and spillage control by addressing problems at their source. By controlling material flow and minimizing entrained air along with soft loading and center loading of paper product onto the receiving belts, dust and spillages were reduced well below the acceptable level.
Benetech products included, but were not limited to:
- MaxZone® Load Zone System — A belt enclosure system with easy-to-access, externally adjusted skirtboards; internal wear liners; dust curtains designed to disrupt air flow streams and prevent dust escaping the enclosure; and rubber skirting to prevent dust leakage along the sides of the conveyor.
- Simple Slide Idlers — Roller frames that slide into place without the need to remove adjacent idlers, resulting in excellent serviceability and improved safety.
Benetech provided best-in-class belt support critical to the performance of the containment system (skirtboard and enclosure above the belt), including simple slide idlers and belt trackers. Minimizing belt oscillation and providing a flat level surface for the belt to be loaded were critical for optimum performance.
Successful Results
The expertise and experience of Benetech’s installation technician, executed with the plant contractor’s craftsmanship was priceless. Both provided superior results, utilizing their expert knowledge and converting unforeseen challenges into a professional finished product. Overall, the customer was very impressed with the superb quality and performance of their new MaxZone® system.
