Airflow plays a crucial role in the transport, handling, and processing of bulk materials. It ensures the efficient operation of dust collection, ventilation, and cooling systems. Inefficient airflow can cause dust accumulation, increase resistance in ducts, and require more energy to sustain operations.

Analyzing airflow is the first step in identifying inefficiencies within the system. This includes:

• Mapping airflow to pinpoint areas of congestion or stagnation.
• Measuring air speed and volume in ducts to evaluate current performance.

The configuration of ducts significantly affects airflow management:

• Reducing bends and restrictions in ducts to minimize pressure loss.
• Using appropriately sized ducts to ensure smooth airflow and reduce resistance.

VFDs offer several advantages:

• Adjusting fan and compressor speeds based on real-time needs, avoiding energy overconsumption.
• Maintaining optimal pressure in systems, reducing fluctuations and energy peaks.

Advanced filtration systems contribute to better airflow management:

• Low-resistance filters allow smoother airflow, reducing the energy required to maintain flow.
• Heat recovery technologies, which harness residual thermal energy from airflow for other industrial processes, thereby reducing overall energy needs.

Implementing automated systems offers precise management of airflow:

• Smart sensors for real-time monitoring of air pressure and speed, enabling automatic adjustments.
• Energy management systems to optimize resource usage based on production needs, preventing waste.

Regular maintenance of air handling systems is crucial for maintaining efficiency:

• Cleaning and replacing filters at regular intervals to prevent clogs.
• Inspecting ducts and fans to detect and repair leaks or malfunctions before they impact overall performance.

Environmental regulations are becoming increasingly stringent, particularly in sectors with high emissions of particles and pollutants. Failing to comply can result in costly fines, temporary shutdowns, or even loss of operating licenses. By adopting filtration and decarbonization solutions, companies ensure compliance with current regulations and minimize risks associated with non-compliance.

Benefits:

• Savings on fines and regulatory penalties.
• Enhanced reputation among customers, partners, and the public for environmentally friendly practices.
• Operational stability by anticipating future regulations and avoiding last-minute costly adjustments.

Modern filtration and decarbonization systems are designed to optimize energy consumption in industrial facilities. Some filtration devices even recover heat generated during processes, reducing energy use. Over time, this leads to lower operational costs and improved profitability.

Benefits:

• Reduced energy bills through better energy management.
• Increased profitability by minimizing energy consumption, enhancing profit margins.
• Greater resilience to energy price fluctuations due to more efficient consumption.

Poor indoor air quality, filled with particles and contaminants, can negatively impact employee health, leading to frequent absences and reduced productivity. Filtration systems purify the work environment, protecting workers’ health and boosting their productivity.

Growing businesses often face unforeseen challenges, especially regarding their environmental impact. Adopting filtration and decarbonization solutions prepares them for future demands and integrates sustainability from the outset. This facilitates expansion into new markets with stricter environmental standards and opens opportunities for sustainability certifications.

Benefits:

• Preparation for future requirements: early compliance with stricter standards eases growth.
• Better market positioning: companies investing in sustainable technologies stand out in competitive markets.
• Increased attractiveness to investors, who are increasingly focused on sustainable, responsible practices.

Companies that adopt sustainable practices benefit from a more positive brand image. Filtration and decarbonization solutions demonstrate the company’s commitment to reducing its environmental footprint, attracting like-minded customers, partners, and talent.

Benefits:

• Improved reputation among customers and partners.
• Differentiation from competitors who have not yet adopted sustainable solutions.
• Increased customer loyalty, as clients prefer to support companies committed to sustainability and environmental protection.

In some industries, filtration solutions enable the recovery of particles that can be reused as raw materials or recycled. For instance, in cement or construction materials sectors, dust captured by filtration systems can be reused, turning waste into a potential revenue source.

Benefits:

• Reduced waste management costs by valuing by-products.
• Additional revenue from selling recovered materials.
• Contribution to a circular economy by reintegrating resources into the production cycle.

An Indicative and Non-Definitive Figure

This figure, although estimated from various studies, remains indicative and is neither official nor definitive. Whether decarbonization involves the electrification of processes, the use of low-carbon gas, CO2 capture, or a combination of these methods, it is certain that modernizing factories will require massive public support. Currently, governments are reacting urgently to appease industrial actors whose negotiating power is at its peak.

Industry Back in the Spotlight

Since the Covid crisis and the Russian gas crisis, major industrial players have managed to capture the attention of authorities by brandishing the threat of European competitiveness loss and relocations. Governments, including Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo and his regional colleagues, as well as public investment vehicles, have multiplied initiatives to show their goodwill: strategic participations, advantageous loans, subsidies, and capping electricity transport tariffs. In the case of ArcelorMittal Ghent, even privileged access to extended nuclear reactor production at reduced prices has been promised.

Necessary Investments: At Least One Billion Per Year

At least an additional billion euros must be invested annually on average, totaling around 25 billion by 2050, the target date set by Europe for carbon neutrality. This figure is an estimate and can vary based on numerous factors: energy prices, geopolitical context, technological progress, etc. Different studies have used various methods to estimate these costs, primarily based on the cost of reducing a ton of CO2.

A Peak of Investments to Anticipate

The Federal Planning Bureau, in its 2024 study on Belgian “Energy Outlooks,” highlights that the most significant investments will be needed at the beginning of the transition period. “By anticipating the continuous rise in prices in the emissions trading system from the start, companies avoid additional costs.” The chemical sector, particularly represented in Belgium, will make the largest share of these investments.

By cautiously estimating that at least 25 billion additional euros must be invested by industry by 2050, with a concentration of investments in the current decade, it appears risky to treat industrial transformation on a case-by-case basis.

How to Align Climate and Economic Imperatives?

Europe positions itself as the continent of clean techs, but it faces strong competition from Asian and American products and technologies. The economic imperative stems from the ecological imperative, with the development of solutions aimed at improving living conditions while drastically reducing the carbon footprint: electrolyzers, carbon capture and storage, building renovation solutions, digitization of construction and agriculture, etc. The challenge is to capture the added value by moving to implementation and local production of these technologies developed within the Union.

Text taken from a publication in L’Echo.

Clean Air for Clean Energy

Charging stations equipped with an effective intake air system offer operators a significant advantage: more vehicles can be charged at a station within the same timeframe, increasing revenue. However, there is a certain risk associated with cooling charging stations using air. Air can contain fine dust and organic materials such as rust, tire debris, soil particles, pollen, leaves, and tiny insect parts, which can get inside the charging station. These can damage the sensitive electronic components if they are allowed to accumulate on them. If moisture penetrates the charging station, components can also corrode, causing short circuits.

Filter Panels for Air Quality

Filter panels are mentioned as a solution to maintain safe air intake, likely by reducing particulate matter and pollutants that could be generated or concentrated near these high-traffic areas.

Innovation and Safety

To protect the electronic components and optimize the availability of the charging stations, Airwatec together with Freudenberg Filtration Technologies has developed special filter panels, some using the P15/500 S filter medium. A high-performance nonwoven (Filter Class ISO Coarse 75%) is welded into the frame to provide a dustproof seal and ensure stability, as well as reliable protection from dust, dirt particles, and water droplets. When using these filters, charging stations can achieve a protection class of IP 54. The filter medium’s progressive structure and high dust holding capacity result in an exceptionally long service life.

Customizable for Universal Application

The filter panels are designed to allow flexible adaptation to the dimensions of the ventilation space. The filter element is extremely stable and requires only minimal mounting to be installed in the charging station. In most cases, a slide-in rail or clamps are all that is required to fasten it in place. Maintenance is also simple and requires no expert knowledge. These factors also make it easy to change the filter and reduce maintenance costs. To achieve reliable operation for the charging stations, the filter panels should be changed once or twice a year—depending on the ambient air quality. On roads subject to heavy traffic or in rural areas, it is sensible to change the filter towards the end of the pollen season.

The new filter elements provide the perfect protection for sensitive electronic components and minimize the risk of downtime.

Text taken from a publication by Freudenberg.

With Airwatec’s many years of experience in air filtration with custom-made installations, we play an essential role in the fight against air pollution.

Custom Installations for Optimal Efficiency

The efficiency of our filtration and dust removal systems is based on custom-made installations adapted to the specific characteristics of each industrial site. For example, hoods on foundry furnaces are designed to capture particles emitted during metal melting processes. Dust extraction in stainless steel foundries, on the other hand, targets emissions specific to stainless steel production, known for its fine particle emissions.

The ducts also play a crucial role in this system. They ensure the efficient transport of captured particles to the dust collector. The choice of duct type and its layout are critical to minimize pressure losses and optimize the extraction flow. Extraction rates must be precisely calculated to ensure maximum particle capture while maintaining optimal energy efficiency.

Extraction Rates: Key to Performance

Extraction rates are one of the most critical parameters of the dust removal system. They determine the amount of polluted air that can be processed by the system at any time. An insufficient extraction rate can lead to poor particle capture, while a too high rate can generate excessive energy costs and disruptions in the production process. Therefore, a careful assessment of the specific needs of each site is essential to optimally adjust the extraction rates.

Surface and Kinematics of the Hoods: Effective Particle Capture

The coverage area of the hoods and their kinematics are also essential elements to consider. A well-sized and strategically positioned hood can capture a large number of particles as soon as they are emitted, thus reducing their dispersion in the ambient air. The kinematics of the hoods, i.e., their movement and orientation, must be carefully planned to cover particle production areas while ensuring accessibility to key process components.

Duct Layout: Optimizing Airflow

The layout of the ductwork to the outside is another crucial component. A well-designed layout balances pressure losses, installation costs, and noise emissions.

Enhanced Environmental Commitment

By integrating our advanced dust removal technologies, companies demonstrate their commitment to environmental protection and public health. The significant reduction in particle emissions not only improves local air quality, especially for their teams, but also meets increasingly stringent industrial pollution regulations.

Towards a Cleaner Future

With a projected 80% reduction in particle emissions by 2026, this new industrial dust removal system to be installed at Arcelor in Differdange represents a giant step towards a cleaner and more sustainable future. By combining advanced technologies with custom solutions tailored to the specific needs of this large industrial site, it is possible to minimize environmental impact while maintaining high operational efficiency. Advances in industrial dust removal show that it is possible to reconcile industrial performance and environmental respect, paving the way for a new era of more responsible and sustainable production.

Creating an extraction system for smoke and supplying clean air for a chemical process in a research institute involves several crucial steps, ranging from providing and installing a duct network to fresh air intake and air extraction.

Firstly, providing and installing a duct network is essential to ensure efficient distribution of fresh air and smoke evacuation. An air intake duct and an extraction duct are made of 304 stainless steel, offering superior resistance to corrosion and high temperatures. These ducts consist of pipe sections and branches, equipped with accessories such as elbows, galvanized steel clamps, galvanized steel flanges with graphite seals, and galvanized steel support rods. A pressure switch is also integrated to regulate the air flow and ensure optimal system operation.

Next, providing and installing an industrial centrifugal fan is necessary to ensure the required air flow and pressure for the application. This fan is designed with backward-inclined blades for optimal performance. It is directly driven by the motor, eliminating the need for belts and reducing maintenance requirements. The fan is powered by 230V/400V and equipped with an equipotential bond for electrical safety. Additionally, a pressure switch is installed to monitor and secure the fan’s operation.

Finally, the system is equipped with flexible sleeves for intake and exhaust, designed to withstand temperatures up to 60°C. These sleeves ensure a tight connection between the ducts and the fan, minimizing air losses and ensuring optimal system performance.

In summary, creating an extraction system for smoke and supplying clean air in a research institute requires a methodical approach and the use of high-quality components to ensure a safe working environment compliant with current safety and environmental standards.

The success of complex interventions in high-risk environments undoubtedly relies on meticulous preparation and a thoughtful approach. At AIRWATEC, safety is an absolute priority, and it is with unwavering pride that we announce the validation of our VCA-Petrochemical audit, attesting to our continuous commitment to industrial safety.

For two decades now, we have dedicated ourselves to the rigorous implementation of the VCA-Petrochemical safety management system. This approach reflects our determination to ensure a safe working environment for our team, partners, and clients. We firmly believe that safety should never be compromised, and it is in this spirit that we have adopted the motto: “Arrive Safe / Work Safe / Go Home Safe.”

The reality of operations in the petrochemical sector demands special attention to detail and meticulous preparation. Our ongoing success in this field is the result of a constant commitment to the highest safety standards. Every step of our interventions is carefully planned, evaluated, and executed in strict adherence to established safety protocols.

Our team, composed of qualified and experienced professionals, is aware of the challenges inherent in our industry. Through continuous training and increased awareness, we ensure that each member of our team understands the crucial importance of safety in every task undertaken. Constant vigilance and prevention are the pillars of our proactive safety approach.

The recently validated VCA-Petrochemical audit is tangible evidence of our commitment to operational excellence and unwavering safety. This thorough evaluation process, led by industry experts, has confirmed the compliance of our practices with the strictest standards. This reinforces the confidence of our partners and clients in our ability to manage the complex challenges inherent in our missions.

The motto “Arrive Safe / Work Safe / Go Home Safe” is not just a slogan but a way of life at AIRWATEC. Every day, we commit to creating an environment where each individual can perform their duties with confidence, knowing that a safety culture prevails. We believe that safety should never be an option but a fundamental requirement for everyone.

Beyond mere compliance with standards, we continually seek ways to improve our safety performance. Lessons learned from audits and experiences are integrated into our processes, ensuring continuous improvement and constant strengthening of our safety culture.

In conclusion, the validation of our VCA-Petrochemical audit is a significant step in our journey towards safety excellence. This attests to our sustained commitment to the protection of human life, the environment, and property. At AIRWATEC, we take pride in our safety heritage and pledge to maintain the highest standards in all aspects of our operations.

“Arrive Safe / Work Safe / Go Home Safe” is not just a creed but a promise we renew every day, ensuring a safer future for all those affected by our work

Some installations can be considered engineering masterpieces aimed at reconciling industrial imperatives with the strictest environmental standards. One of our recent achievements involved equipping silos with filters to prevent any polluted emissions into the ambient air. Thanks to a sophisticated ducting network and absolute filtration applied to the emissions of the 8 silo filters, engineers at Airwatec successfully harmonized the industrial productivity of our client while adhering to very stringent emission standards.

Fundamental Principle

Each row of 4 silos has been cleverly connected to a ducting network, orchestrating the flow of air emerging from the silos towards dedicated filtration chambers. A crucial consideration for the operating permit led to the installation of an elegant chimney, propelling the filtered air above the silos to avoid any ground-level emissions. The ingenuity of the installation lies in its two distinct variable-flow filtration chambers, each serving 4 silos, ensuring optimal filtration.

Exemplary Filtration Chambers

The filtration chambers, designed with folded stainless steel sheets, provide great rigidity and a long lifespan while optimizing materials. Each chamber is equipped with two filtration levels. The first level incorporates 4 VILEDON® MX95 filters of “F8” filtration class, while the second level features 4 VILEDON® HEPA filters of “H13” class. These filters are housed in stainless steel frames with durable EPDM seals to ensure optimal airtightness. Needle gauges coupled with pressure transmitters facilitate filter fouling monitoring, ensuring continuous efficiency.

Cutting-Edge Industrial Fan

The heart of this installation relies on an EC-type industrial fan, characterized by its free-wheeling and exceptional adaptability. Capable of reaching an airflow of 3,500 m³/h, it ensures an air flow according to the installation’s needs, independent of fouling in different filtration stages, ensuring optimal performance and energy consumption. The fan programming and commissioning were expertly carried out by Airwatec. Durable and Optimized Ducting Networks. Airwatec pays particular attention to optimizing ducting networks to minimize pressure losses while avoiding the deposition of evacuated material. These studies enable meeting client needs while reducing energy consumption. Elements of this network, from ducts to elbows, fixing collars, quick assembly collars, and shaped parts, are meticulously designed in stainless steel to guarantee maximum structural integrity.

In conclusion, this installation is more than just an industrial configuration; it is a testament to human ingenuity in designing solutions that combine productivity with increased environmental responsibility. Through a harmonious blend of advanced technologies, quality materials, and meticulous planning, it represents a significant step towards a cleaner and more efficient industrial future

Dear clients, dear partners,

As the end of the year approaches, we would like to inform you that our offices will be closed for the winter holiday period, from December 23rd to January 1st inclusive. This decision was made to provide our team with a well-deserved rest after a busy year. This break will allow us to return with renewed energy to better meet your expectations in the coming year.

During this period, our team will not be available for orders, deliveries, or responses to inquiries. However, please rest assured that we will make every effort to address your requests before our closure and resume our activities from January 2nd.

To anticipate this closure period, we invite you to contact us as soon as possible to synchronize our schedules and meet your needs. Your contact person at Airwatec remains available by email and phone.

We sincerely thank you for your understanding and loyalty. We look forward to continuing to serve you and support you in your projects upon our return.

Wishing you a wonderful year-end celebration, filled with happiness and success.

Best regards,

The Airwatec Team