Customer Profile
Crystal sugar processing generates fine combustible dust that, when mixed with air, can form explosive atmospheres. Without adequate electrical conductivity, static build-up can ignite this dust, creating serious safety hazards.
Filtration systems in this industry must therefore combine high efficiency, compliance with food-grade standards, and safe static dissipation.
This case study presents the results achieved by a sugar processing group in Slovenia using a dust collector and pleated filter equipment for ground sugar transport and silo dedusting.
Location: Slovenia
Dust type: Crystal sugar dust
Key Results
Emissions reduced to below 3 mg/m³
Explosion-proof filtration system
Full compliance with EC1935:2004
Excellent electrical conductivity (≤ 67.4 Ω)
Crystal sugar transport and silo dedusting in Slovenia
Working closely with the OEM, we developed a new dust collection system tailored for ground sugar transport and silo dedusting. The pleated bag configuration was carefully chosen to provide both antistatic protection and food safety compliance, ensuring a perfect fit for the application and the properties of sugar dust.
Because sugar dust is combustible, the system needed to comply with ATEX regulations to reduce explosion risks in potentially explosive atmospheres. The end-user also required all components in contact with the product to meet the EC 1935:2004 standards.
To fulfill these requirements, 64 pleated bags with antistatic properties—using 900ALU filter media and integrated antistatic cables—were installed in the dust collector. The Starbottom design was chosen to minimize dust accumulation at the base of each filter, improving cleaning performance. Electrical conductivity tests on each pleated bag confirmed excellent results, with the highest recorded resistance to earth at 67.4 Ω, well below the 10⁶ Ω safety limit.
Challenges
- Compliance with ATEX to mitigate explosion risks from sugar dust
- Fulfillment of EC1935:2004 food contact equipment standards
- Ensure reliable electrical conductivity for safe static discharge
Top Loader with Starbottom and Weltech bands
The filtration system was upgraded with:
Type of Product: CPBG - Top Loader Pleated Bags
Number of filters: 64
Filter media: Polyester with non-stick surface
Banding: Ultrasonic welded bands
Bottom cap: Starbottom shape
Ensured compliance with EC1935:2004 for food contact and ATEX for potentially explosive atmospheres
The end-user required a dust collection system for ground sugar transport and silo dedusting that met strict food safety and explosion protection standards. In collaboration with the OEM, the system was designed and equipped with 64 pleated bags made of antistatic polyester with a non-stick surface and integrated antistatic cables.
Technical Data
| Parameter | Data |
| Air flow in unit | 8,000 m³/h |
| Dust Type | Crystal sugar dust |
| Dust collector type | LIVING |
| Filter model | CPB Top Loader Pleated Bag |
| Filter media | Pleated Antistatic Polyester with non-stick surface |
| Length [mm] | 1250 |
| Number of filter bags / cartridges | 64 |
| Filration surface in each filter bag / cartridge [m²] | 2,50 |
| Filtration surface in entire system [m²] | 160 |
| Emissions mg/Nm³ | 3 |
| Air-to-cloth ratio (m³/m²/h) | 50 |
Safe and efficient sugar dust management
Low Emissions
Dust emissions are maintained below 3 mg/m³, meeting stringent environmental requirements.
Food Safety Compliance
All components in contact with the food product comply with EC 1935/2004 food contact regulations.
ATEX-Compliant Safety
Explosion-proof filter design meeting ATEX standards, ensuring safe operation in an environment with potentially combustible sugar dust. Electrical conductivity tests confirmed excellent grounding, with a measured resistance of 67.4 Ω, providing a safe static discharge well within safety limits.
Get in touch
Contact our team for any questions and support regarding Filter Cartridges, Pleated Bags & Flat Cells
sales.nakskov[at]hengst.com