{"id":8135,"date":"2022-06-15T16:14:04","date_gmt":"2022-06-15T16:14:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/propulsa.ca\/?p=8135"},"modified":"2023-06-14T14:33:34","modified_gmt":"2023-06-14T14:33:34","slug":"healthy-and-efficient-self-cleaning-cabin-filtration-for-specialized-equipment-in-the-aluminium-industry","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/propulsa.ca\/en\/healthy-and-efficient-self-cleaning-cabin-filtration-for-specialized-equipment-in-the-aluminium-industry\/","title":{"rendered":"Healthy and efficient self-cleaning cabin filtration for specialized equipment in the aluminium industry"},"content":{"rendered":"[vc_row type=”in_container” full_screen_row_position=”middle” column_margin=”default” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” overlay_strength=”0.3″ shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none”][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_position=”all” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_link_target=”_self” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” width=”1\/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” overlay_strength=”0.3″ column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid” bg_image_animation=”none”][vc_column_text]\n
Written in collaboration with:<\/strong>\"Anode<\/strong><\/section>\n

Carl Lapointe, Product Engineer, EPIQ MECFOR<\/a>
\nDenis Dumais, Vice President of Innovation,\u00a0Propulsa
\nEric Tremblay, Mobile Vehicle Investment Plan Manager P-155,\u00a0Rio Tinto <\/a><\/p>\n

\u201cWorking together\u201d is the mantra that resonates within our own teams as well as the greater Quebec aluminium industry. Indeed, the market potential tied with our ambition to win value-added collaborations is a model of choice for small and medium-sized companies alike.<\/p>\n

Propulsa, an innovative filtration system company in the Saguenay, benefits from such a collaboration with EPIQ MECFOR\u2014a manufacturer known for its specialized heavy equipment\u2014and with Rio Tinto\u2014notably through the support of Regional Economic Development (RED) and operations teams.<\/p>\n

The collaboration of these three players has allowed the installation of the very first EPURA self-cleaning filtration system with an independent carbon cartridge on a EPIQ MECFOR anode hauler. This innovation is currently being tested at Rio Tinto\u2019s Grande-Baie plant over the next few months.<\/p>\n

A winning synergy\"Cabine<\/strong><\/p>\n

In the process, one of the best possible uses for testing the performance of the EPURA filter was undoubtedly with a piece of heavy industrial equipment such as an anode hauler. Anode haulers\u00a0operate in an industrial environment where airborne carbon dust is omnipresent. Moreover, since the anode hauler circulates in the pot rooms with aluminium dust, cabin filtration has to be efficient in order to ensure the health and safety of the workers at all times. This is why this type of vehicle is often subject to frequent filter and carbon replacement\u2014to maintain good air filtration. There were no better conditions to challenge the performance of EPURA\u2019s self-cleaning technology with the addition of a rechargeable carbon cartridge.<\/p>\n

After receiving a presentation on the product, the EPIQ Machinery team was delighted with the product and agreed to participate in advancing this new technology. \u201cWithin a limited area, we are located near EPIQ Machinery, a leading North American manufacturer of this type of equipment, and Rio Tinto, a primary aluminium producer well established in the region. Fortunately, all our partners have shown an uncommon openness to collaborate on this project,\u201d says Denis Dumais, Vice President of Innovations at Propulsa and the visionary behind this invention.<\/p>\n

Innovation means adapting the design<\/strong><\/p>\n

Thanks to the close collaboration between EPIQ Machinery and Propulsa, the main integration challenges related to space and electrical input were met. First, we had to analyze the available space to limit the changes to the design of the EPIQ MECFOR hauler. There was an issue with the size of the new system. On the anode hauler, there was only one possible place where the system could be installed without affecting the operator\u2019s field of vision. It was necessary to design a suitable support and redesign the box to install it in according to the orientation.<\/p>\n

\"Transporteur\u201cVisibility for the operator is uncompromising. This is an unmatched feature of EPIQ MECFOR\u2019s design for this type of equipment. Also, the normal functions of the vehicle and the cab\u2019s tipping feature, which eases maintenance and upkeep, were not to be altered in any way,\u201d says Carl Lapointe, Product Engineer at EPIQ MECFOR. In a second step, the Propulsa team had to re-evaluate the available power supply for its system. In fact, the EPURA system is normally powered with 24 volts. However, for the installation on the anode hauler, it was necessary to select a high-performance fan powered with 12 volts.<\/p>\n

Finally, the EPURA system has its own man-machine interface that allows to follow the evolution of the filter\u2019s condition live and ensure optimal filtration at all times. This provides a practical aspect when the system replaces a filtration system on an existing vehicle.<\/p>\n

Greener and more efficient air filtration<\/strong>
\nEPURA\u2019s patented technology is in its early stages of commercialization. It\u2019s already available in two versions: EPURA cabin and EPURA engine. The one being tested at Rio Tinto\u2019s Grande-Baie plant is the EPURA cabin system with a carbon cartridge. This system allows for continuous and constant pressurization of an operating cabin thanks to a high-performance fan\u2014regardless of the level of filter clogging. It\u2019s also equipped with an independent and refillable carbon cartridge for capture of gases.<\/p>\n

In fact, the carbon filter is the new element in the EPURA product line. This first project with EPIQ Machinery and Rio Tinto is therefore essential. The goals and expectations of this prototype installation are high:<\/p>\n