Today, I'm going to walk you through some essential steps to optimise the efficiency of your airwash separator. These tips will not only improve your machine's performance, but also extend its service life.

Main Content

Regular Maintenance Checks: Schedule daily or weekly checks to ensure all parts are in good working condition. Preventive maintenance can save you from costly breakdowns or inefficient processes.

Initial Cleaning: Start by ensuring that the lower and rotary screens are free from any obstructions or blockages. Clean screens are the foundation of an efficient separator.

Check the Swing Baffle: Use a screwdriver to run under the swing baffle and remove any blockages. Remember, safety first—do not put your hands under the baffle as there is a risk of pinching and cutting.

Curtain Formation: The abrasive should form a complete curtain across the separator's opening. If you notice gaps, adjust the slide baffle, swing baffle or both to achieve a complete curtain.

Operating Mix: Once the curtain is set, use a sieve kit to dial in the optimum abrasive size.

Initial Analysis: Perform an initial analysis of the operating mix. If it looks good and there is minimal waste of useful abrasive, you're on the right track.

Airflow Adjustments: If you find good abrasive in the reject, lower the airflow to keep it in the operating mix, or adjust the scalping bar. Conversely, if there's dust or fines, increase the airflow or adjust the separator scalping bar.

Holistic Approach: Keep in mind that adjustments in one area can affect airflow in another. Regularly check the dust collector to ensure that no abrasive is being drawn in.

Employee Training: Ensure that all operators are well trained in both the operation and emergency procedures related to the separator.

 Documentation: Keep a log of all maintenance activities, adjustments, and performance metrics. This data can be invaluable for troubleshooting and future optimizsation.

Conclusion

Optimizing your airwash separator is not just a one-off task but an ongoing process. By following these steps, you'll not only improve the efficiency of your machine, but also contribute to a safer and more productive working environment. Remember, a well-optimised separator is a well-operated separator.

chris.prouty@winoagroup.com

Written by chris prouty, Contributing Editor for MFN and Technical Advisor at Winoa