Fine mist oil looks like smoke and is formed when oil droplets are mixed with air. Such oil droplets are produced during some specific industrial operations like milling and drilling when fuel oils, high-temperature polymeric products, lubricants, cooling fluids, and metalworking fluids come in contact with fast rotating equipment. The oil droplets thus formed are so tiny that they easily disperse in the air and can eventually lead to some serious risks and malfunctions. The only way to deal with such situations and prevent risks is by capturing the oil mist by using custom-designed fiber bed candle filters.
The composition of candle filters consists of an inner cage and an outer cage; the inner cage houses layered filter bed media while the outer cage surrounds this whole system. The layers of filter media differ in densities; this is done to capture the oil mist of different sizes efficiently. Because oil aerosol mist may vary in size ranging from 0.1μm to 10 μm, depending on the industrial operation. The cages of candle filters are built of various polymers, alloys, and carbon steel. Plus, they are skillfully developed to fit easily in any system.
This whole design provides excellent bursting strength, enhances the coalescence of the droplets, and guarantees long-term, highly efficient removal of the oil aerosols. These filters are cylindrical and can be 1 to 20 ft long. Moreover, the filter can be designed and modified to satisfy the requirements of the system.
Candle filters are also known as fiber bed filters and fiber bed mist eliminators. These filters trap and collect oil mist in the submicron form to minimize the risks associated with it. Since the filter elements are multi-layered, captured oil mist is stopped from being blown back through the filter. Demister pads or mist eliminators are also sometimes installed in the filter system. Generally, these pads lie on top of the system and capture large oil mist particles. To fulfill the need of the system, the pads may be formed of different kinds of materials. Such materials include polypropylene or fine fibers, or a combination of both.
There is another design of candle filters whose formation involves a combination of fine media and coarse media. This candle filter version can capture sub-micron mist particles and large mist particles when fine oil mist passes through it. The particles will join with each other to form a large, heavy particle that will eventually fall to the bottom of the system or get trapped in filter media. As mist particles become heavier, they won't be capable of getting back in the air.
Fine oil mist, if left alone, can slow down the production process going on in an industry. Moreover, the mist can also have multiple drastic effects on the health of the workers. That's why it is so important to remove the oil mist from the atmosphere. The health hazards associated with oil mist include shortness of breath and other long-term pulmonary diseases. The oil mist can be ground on the facility's floor or nearby equipment, making the surface slippery, which may cause injury. The negative effects of oil mist do not end here; the mist can become even more hazardous by mixing with other toxins present in metalworking, further contaminating the environment.
A good mist eliminator can reduce all these dangers. Using a quality mist eliminator from a well-reputed brand will guarantee an efficient collection of oil mist. Therefore, it cleans the working environment, reduces health risks and air contamination.