Which Mist Collector Can Handle My Machine Tool Oil Mist Pollution?
There are a range of coolant mist collectors available. In fact, the members of OscarAir, as diverse as the company is, have in the past or do currently deal with every size mist collector made. The oil mist collector featured as BEST VALUE IN CLASS is the Trion Mini M.E. (Mist Eliminator). One reason this particular unit has been chosen is its versatility for covering a wider range of applications than any other mist collector. If you prefer, you can use a central system. This means you have to contract someone to air balance and an independent duct system throughout your facility. But we like the Mini ME solution because it is inexpensive and easy. Just slap one on each machine center and plug them in. The Mini Mist Eliminator can handle most CNC machines, screw machines, cold headers, EDM and metal cutting operations.
So, how does something called a "mini" handle big applications? Let’s take a look inside.
Air comes in the bottom, goes through the filtration and comes out the top. The fan and motor are at number 4. They pull air through the unit. Notice, the air stream goes through all the filtration (1 through 3) before it touches the moving parts of the fan.
Number 1 contains the pre-filters. These take out the big mist droplets. Aluminum mesh pre-filters are pretty standard for the higher quality mist collectors.
Number 2 shows the electronic cells. Here’s where the important stuff happens. Notice there are 2 identical cells. The Trion Mini Mist Eliminator comes standard as a dual pass unit. This usually is a very expensive upgrade for other mist collectors. Dual pass makes an electrostatic mist collector able to handle heavier applications.
Unfortunately, not everyone can get away with using a Mini ME. They should not be used for cast metal machining, abrassive applications where there are big metal fines, or for plastics, rubber or glue applications that produce fumes that result in a syrupy, gummy, sticky residue. Sorry, for now you guys are stuck paying out the nose for replacement media filters. But everyone performing common milling type of metal work are perfectly safe.
As for what can handle your load, usually CFM is a big indicator… but not in this case. Most people think more CFM is better. Not true. You want just enough CFM to create a negative pressure in your machine enclosure. Most enclosures only need a couple hundred CFM. Too much air speed will blow pollution straight through any mist eliminator and suck coolant mist away from your process before it’s used. And, you’ll look kind of funny when you’re not strong enough to open the enclosure door (due to excessive suction).
Here’s how you set the CFM fan speed for any enclosure. To try this at your facility, I suggest taking advantage of the no risk deal from Oscar Air and testing one of these on a machine center. Use the template to cut a hole in your sheet metal enclosure. Bolt the Mini ME over the hole. Plug it in. Turn the fan on its lowest setting. Turn on your machine center. Watch the mist inside your enclosure. Slowly turn up the fan until you see mist begin to clear from the enclosure. Keep it here. You have just created a slight amount of negative pressure in the enclosure. Contaminated air will gently exit the enclosure and pass through the Mini ME.
