Asbestos is a type of naturally occurring mineral, there are six different types of crystals that form depending on what materials were used during construction. Commonly found in old buildings and structures, such as offices and warehouses, the most common type of asbestos found is Chrysotile or ‘white asbestos.’ But just how dangerous is asbestos? And who is the most at risk from asbestos? In this blog, we’ll explain how dangerous asbestos really is.
Asbestos, when undisturbed, is usually safe and isn’t a cause for concern. However, when the material containing asbestos begins to crumble, the asbestos will start to emit fibres in the air which can cause some serious health problems. Crumbling asbestos is known as friable; specifically, when the asbestos is easily broken by hand. Once the asbestos is broken, the air surrounding it becomes extremely hazardous and should be removed by professionals as soon as possible to prevent any further contamination.
The spores that asbestos release into the air can cause a range of different health issues to anyone who breathes them in. Asbestos is dangerous because anyone who has breathed in the asbestos fibres will not show any symptoms of any possible health condition for anywhere between 1-10 years, in which time the fibres would have settled in your system and will begin to develop untreatable health conditions. Some of these conditions are as follows:
Mesothelioma
Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that affects your Pleura (the lining of the lungs) and your Peritoneum (your lower digestive track). Being nearly exclusive to asbestos exposure, there is almost no way to treat the cancer and is therefore extremely fatal.
Asbestos-related Lung Cancer
Asbestos-related Lung Cancer looks almost identical to other types of lung cancer that is caused by smoking etc. Due to the nature of asbestos, this articular type of lung-cancer can be more deadly than the types that are more easily identifiable.
Asbestosis
Asbestosis is caused from heavy exposure of asbestos over multiple years. This condition causes heavy scarring of the lungs and in most cases can be fatal. Asbestosis causes a shortness of breath that progressively gets worse as the scarring continues to grow.
Pleural Thickening
A more general condition that occurs after heavy asbestos exposure. Pleural Thickening is the swelling and thickening of the lining of the lungs. As the condition grows, the lungs may become suffocated and can cause a shortness of breath and/or discomfort in the chest.
These fatal conditions aren’t the only things that asbestos can cause. Short term exposure to the asbestos fibres can cause dry coughs, shortness of breaths, loss of appetite followed by weight loss and chest pains of tightness.
Due to the fact that asbestos exposure is difficult to identify and many of the symptoms don’t appear until the fatal conditions are already set in place, asbestos is an extremely dangerous substance when not handled professionally. Around 5,000 workers die every year from conditions caused by asbestos exposure, that’s more deaths than our roads cause annually.
With all of this in mind, it’s very important to be educated on asbestos and aware of your surroundings in your everyday living environments. Make sure your homes and workplaces are surveyed for asbestos and keep yourself and everyone around you safe. To arrange an asbestos survey, please contact our team.
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industrial fan balancing
The Importance of Industrial Fan Balancing in Equipment Maintenance
Industrial fan balancing is a critical procedure in the maintenance of various industrial equipment. Given the sensitivity of fans to any imbalance, even a minor deviation can result in major vibrations. Imbalance generally results from a misalignment between the geometric center of the fan shaft and its center of mass. As the rotational speed of a fan increases, the balancing precision required also escalates.
Causes of Fan Imbalance
Identifying the causes of fan imbalance is essential for effective maintenance. The most common factors contributing to imbalance in fans include:
Abrasive wear on fan blades
Dirt buildup on fan blades
Loose assembly or misalignment of the impeller to the hub
Temperature fluctuations within the fan housing
Loss of balancing weight
Deformations in the blades
Operating a fan that is out of balance not only affects its performance but also poses risks to the entire machinery infrastructure. Imbalanced fans lead to increased energy consumption, higher levels of vibration, and early failures of components such as bearings, potentially resulting in unplanned downtime.
Benefits of Proper Fan Balancing
A well-balanced fan operates efficiently, minimizing stress on the accompanying machinery. This leads to enhanced longevity of the bearings and quieter fan operation. Hence, whether you’re using a new fan or are in the process of maintaining an older model, prioritizing fan balancing is essential. Ignoring this step can have downstream negative effects on overall equipment performance.
Challenges Beyond Imbalance
While fan imbalance is a prevalent cause of vibration, it is not the only one. Other factors such as structural failures, large clearances, belt drive issues, incorrect alignments, rotor cracks, and faulty bearings can also result in increased vibration levels. Therefore, having a skilled vibration diagnostic expert assess the equipment condition is crucial in identifying the specific causes of increased vibration and ensuring a comprehensive maintenance approach.
Vibration Diagnostics Before Balancing
Many people only consider fan balancing once they notice heightened vibration. However, it is essential to first conduct a thorough vibration diagnostic on the equipment. This pre-balancing assessment should identify any underlying defects like coupling connection issues, shaft misalignments, or a lack of structural support rigidity. In many cases, it may turn out that addressing these foundational issues eliminates the need for additional balancing. For instance, in a recent scenario, a client required fan balancing for a dryer. However, our vibration analysis revealed underlying mechanical looseness and damage to the fan’s support system attachment. After rectifying these issues, the residual imbalance was within acceptable parameters, and further balancing was unnecessary.
How Fan Balancing is Conducted
Fan balancing is typically performed on-site by utilizing the fan’s existing bearings. This method allows for precision and speed without needing to disassemble the equipment, thereby minimizing potential disruptions to the structure. When carrying out fan balancing, our specialists strive to achieve the lowest possible residual imbalance, adhering to balancing standards established in ISO 1940-1-2007.
Essential Equipment for Balancing
The process involves using advanced tools, including a portable balancer and vibration analyzer known as Balanset-1A. These devices facilitate accurate measurements and monitoring throughout the balancing procedure.
Steps in the Balancing Process
The fan balancing procedure comprises several crucial stages. The specific number of sensors and their placements are usually determined by the manufacturer’s guidelines. The general practice involves positioning vibration sensors on the fan shaft’s bearings and the housing. If technical limitations prevent this, alternative placements are utilized to ensure effective measurement.
The following steps are typically involved:
Mount the vibration and tachometer sensors in the designated locations.
Connect the sensors and the balancing device to a laptop to enable data analysis.
Begin the rotating process to measure the initial vibration levels.
Install the test weight in the first balance plane and take measurements.
Verify changes in vibration or phase by at least 20% before proceeding.
Repeat the test with the second balance plane.
Through this systematic approach, conditions for effective fan balancing are established. Final corrections are made based on the analysis, contributing to long-term efficiency and reliability in industrial equipment.
Conclusion
In summary, the importance of industrial fan balancing cannot be overstated in maintaining the operational integrity of industrial machinery. Effective balancing ensures not just improved efficiency and energy savings but also prolongs the lifespan of critical components like bearings. A thorough understanding of the causes and consequences of fan imbalance helps in leveraging appropriate diagnostic techniques before proceeding to balancing. By investing time and resources into regular maintenance and balancing, businesses can achieve greater reliability and performance from their equipment, ultimately fostering a more productive environment.