ProEnergy’s turbine facility solves weld fume collection and dust pollution

Published on July 13th, 2015 by Andrew Simms

ProEnergy’s turbine facility solves weld fume collection and dust pollution

ProEnergy’s turbine services facility repairs and refurbishes turbines by grinding, deburring and TIG welding various steel parts.

Air quality challenges from reconditioning turbine blades

ProEnergy’s 900,000 square foot corporate campus in Sedalia Missouri provides repair services and manufactures equipment for the power generation and oil & gas industries. After learning about the project Diversitech completed at Dresser Rand in Houston Texas, ProEnergy sought Diversitech’s expertise to develop a similar solution to recondition turbine blades. The downdraft tables were installed in the turbine services facility, where operators repair and refurbish turbines by grinding, deburring, and TIG welding various steel parts.

Downdraft ventilation tailored for high duty-cylces

ProEnergy presented Diversitech with specific requirements that could not be met with a one-size-fits-all solution. Diversitech’s application engineering department reviewed the project details and custom designed a downdraft table workstation to accommodate ProEnergy’s welders and operators.

The table was designed with downdraft and backdraft suction to allow for weld fume and deburring dust to be removed higher from the table surface than is possible with standard tables. The new downdraft table incorporate 6 nanofiber filter cartridges and an 8600 CFM 15HP blower to power the dual workstation system.

Customized workstations focused on the operator

The downdraft table workstations were ergonomically designed so that operators could comfortably sit at the table with kick space for their legs. For added safety, explosion-proof light kits were installed in each work cell. In order to reduce noise levels that are harmful to workers, sound attenuation media was installed on the inner walls.

A blue cushion grid mat was also placed on the surface of the steel bar grating to prevent parts from getting damaged or scratched. To provide power for hand deburring and finishing tools, 110v outlets were installed on the table at strategic locations.

Untold value in better air quality

Shelving was installed on the sidewalls of the table to provide space for weld consumables and abrasive discs with weld wire and grinder holders. The downdraft tables also included a manual height adjustment feature. This upward and downward adjustment of the unit enables processing work pieces of different sizes. It also accommodates variations in height of the personnel working on the parts.

Because Diversitech understood ProEngery’s unique application and indoor air quality issues, our team was able to design a system to fit the operators rather than require the operators to contort to fit into a standard inflexible solution.

Similarly, just as we designed a solution to improve worker well-being and safety for ProEnergy and Dresser Rand, our application engineering team is at your service to design a flexible, ergonomic, and cost-effective system for your air filtration application.

Back to blog

Leave a Reply

They trust us

“Diversitech was very helpful in providing useful information to solve our particular Dust Collection problem.
Our users have all had good things to say about the product and working with Ron Morris was a pleasure.
He provided all the support we needed in getting our system up and running.
I would recommend Diversitech to anyone that needed a similar product.
It is very well made and easy to use and maintain.”

  • Reduced hazardous dusts from work areas
  • Provided cleaner breathing air for operators

« As a repeat customer, and owner of both wet and dry downdraft tables, we cannot say enough about the products, and the people at Diversitech…….both are a pleasure to work with! »

  • Combustible dust from deburring safely contained with wet downdraft tables
  • Solved excess dust from grinding and finishing steel parts
  • Reduced cycle time by allowing operators to deburr near the machining center

« The tables are now fully functioning! The students were on them yesterday, and the instructors were so impressed. One instructor even said that he’s “old school” and wasn’t sure about the downdrafts, but he was very impressed. »

  • Custom powder coated tables to match "Baton Rouge Red"
  • Delivered tables "on-time" to five separate campus locations
  • Nanofiber filter technolgy ensure students have a clean and safe learning environment

« We love the downdraft table and are using it full time. We will probably be looking for another one in 6 months to a year as well. Thanks for a nice product. »

  • Mini DD eliminates deburring dust at source
  • Supplied cushion grid matting to protect parts from damage
  • Downdraft table filters airborne dust to protect workers and machinery

Our Commitment

2 year warranty
Quality build
Certified products (ETL)
Fast delivery