Droplet size
Coarse particles separate easily; finer particles require appropriate coalescence and filtration.
Machining & industrial fumes
Extraction and separation of oil mist
Capture aerosols as close as possible to the machinery, separate the droplets and restore cleaner working air.
StudyDesignCommissioning
AIRPRO EXPERTISE
Source textLocalised extraction limits the spread of mist and reduces energy consumption
UNDERSTANDING AEROSOLS
Oil mist is a mixture of different particle sizes, not a uniform cloud.
Separation depends on the distribution of the droplets and the fluid used. AIRPRO begins by linking the emission to the machine’s cycle before selecting the treatment stages.
Machining fluid
Full oil, emulsions and additives do not produce the same aerosol or place the same demands on the media.
Machine cycle
Machining, shutdowns and door opening result in very different emission patterns.
Actual load
The flow rate and concentration determine the flow velocity, the effective surface area and the maintenance frequency.
Machine capture
Keep the mist within the enclosure before extracting it.
The connection, door openings and purge time are designed in conjunction to protect the operator without disrupting the machining process.
Multi-stage separation
Enlarge the droplets before collecting them.
A stable chain first removes the heavy fractions, protects the fine media and then facilitates the continuous drainage of the separated oil.
Reducing the flow
To stabilise the inlet flow and facilitate the separation of the heaviest droplets.
Inertial separation
To cause the droplets to veer off their trajectory without placing an unnecessary load on the fine filtration media.
Coalescer
Collect the fine droplets to allow them to drain by gravity.
Drain and recover
Discharge the separated oil without re-entrainment or stagnation within the unit.
Diagnostics
The symptoms indicate where the separation process is failing.
Monitoring the machine, the system and the separator enables you to identify the appropriate measures to take before increasing the flow rate or replacing a filter.
Visible mist upon opening
Check the containment, the purge time and the position of the suction inlet.
Rapidly increasing pressure drop
Check for overloading, poor drainage, unsuitable media or clogging caused by particles.
Deposits around the ducts
Check for leaks, condensation, gradients and low points in the system.
Excessive flow rate
Too high a flow rate can result in more liquid being carried and lead to unnecessary energy consumption.
Air recycling
Recycle only where performance can be monitored.
The decision on air return to the workshop is not based solely on the nominal efficiency of a separator. The composition of the air flow, other emissions and maintenance must all be assessed together.
- Air quality achieved and long-term stability
- Possible presence of other pollutants or fumes
- Monitoring the condition of filter stages
- Organisation of maintenance and replacement
- Requirements applicable to the site and the relevant posts
Preparing the study
Useful information for each fleet of machinery.
A few machine and process parameters enable a targeted specification to be drawn up and help avoid a system designed on the basis of overly general assumptions.
Describe my machine fleet or call +33 7 57 69 08 40- Type and model of machine tools
- Fluid used and emulsion concentration
- Machining cycles and opening frequency
- Number of machines operating simultaneously
- Existing network and separators
- Desired destination of the air and oil
TECHNICAL QUESTIONS
Capture and separate without over-extraction.
Key considerations for planning an oil mist separation system.
Why collect mist directly from the machine?
Localised extraction prevents aerosols from spreading throughout the workshop and limits the volume of air to be treated. However, the connection must be compatible with the machine’s openings and operation.
How to choose an oil mist separator?
The choice depends on the fluid, the droplet distribution, the load, the flow rate, the machining cycle and the required level of filtration. Several stages may be necessary.
Can the treated air be recycled within the workshop?
This option must be assessed on a case-by-case basis, taking into account the air quality achieved, other pollutants present, the feasibility of monitoring and the requirements applicable to the site.
Your project
Tell us about your industrial requirement.
Describe your installation, issue or objective. An AIRPRO engineer will provide an initial technical assessment.