Frutiger to showcase dust control equipment at Bauma

The Switzerland-based Frutiger will present its latest equipment in the field of dust control at this year’s Bauma conference April 8-14 in Munich. The company is the creator of the wheel wash MobyDick Quick system.

To coincide with the increasingly stringent regulations on air pollution control, as well as new findings about the harmful effects of dust on the human body, the demand for effective dust binding solutions has increased significantly. Some dust emissions, such as dust whirled up on construction site exits, have already been successfully reduced in the past using wheel wash systems. However, other dust problems, such as those typically seen in the field of demolition, as well as at steel and cement works or material terminals, increasingly required additional solutions.

It was for this reason, Frutiger says, that it launched the MobyDick Cannon Line for dust control around five years ago. The right dust control equipment is usually dependent on the type of work and weather conditions, including wind, temperatures and air humidity. However, these factors tend to vary considerably during use, which makes choosing the right model a challenge for operators. It’s a challenge Frutiger says it set out to solve with its dust binding equipment under the brand MobyDick.

Development support

The first stage of development was based on intensive cooperation with the Aviation Centre at the Zurich University of Applied Sciences (ZHAW). During this stage, measurements were taken to assess the effectiveness of various items of dust binding equipment in accordance with scientific criteria. Following this, the engineers developed a total new version of the outer cone with the help of computer-aided calculations. In addition, the guiding plates were replaced by modelled high-performance stators, and the motor unit was given an aerodynamic cover.

After Frutiger produced the first prototypes, control measurements were taken, which the company says showed an increase in effectiveness of around 25 percent in comparison with the previous models.

“The initial calculations revealed how performance can be improved at any early stage. However, even we were surprised that the effectiveness of the Frutiger prototype was now so far over and above the results achieved by all the other models we tested,” said Michael Ammann, a research assistant at ZHAW, about his findings. The researchers said their key focus involved optimizing the motor performance of the fan as much as possible using current scientific knowledge in order to achieve an improved range of throw for water droplets.

Frutiger says conventional sheet metal is not suitable to produce an optimal aerodynamic cone formation, it used high-quality composite fiber instead. The company says the material is durable, resistant against acid and corrosion, sound absorbent and easy to repair.

The Frutiger engineers based at the company’s headquarters also worked to ensure the range of throw was adjustable. For the New Generation 3060 model, the range varies between 30 and 60 meters (98 to 197 feet), and the larger 3090 model has an even bigger range of between 30 and 90 meters (98 to 295 feet).

“This innovation has significant added value in practice, as sources of dust can now be managed from the perfect distance with maximum effect, thus drastically reducing unnecessary water loss” said André Perret, the division manager for dust binding. “Our equipment is very often used in different locations and under varying conditions. This means it’s not always ideal to run the equipment at full capacity. Therefore, our new models can be continuously regulated, which also significantly reduces power consumption and noise emissions for many uses.”

The adjustable range of droplet throw is another feature of the equipment, allowing operators to both cover large areas with the traditional nozzle ring and use a more concentrated flow in the wind. The quantity of water can also be regulated and, like the range of throw and type of spray, it can be adapted to the working conditions.

“By collaborating with ZHAW and conducting comprehensive testing, we’ve optimized a technology that originated from the snow industry for use in the building industry. This provides our customers with real added value in their everyday work compared with using converted snow cannons,” says Urs Frutiger, the CEO of Frutiger. “It’s definitely an advantage that we’ve been working in the building sector for over 60 years and develop our equipment specially for use in dust binding right from the outset”.

The development of the equipment was also supported by the Agency for Innovation of the Swiss Confederation.

More solutions

Frutiger also says that began with the launch of its wheel waste systems, MobyDick ONE, at Bauma 2016 will continue at Bauma 2019: the restructuring of the MobyDick wheel washing system product range. The range now includes about 30 standard models in the ConLine KIT Flex and KIT Plus lines, which are predominantly used on building sites.

Frutiger will present these innovations and more at Bauma in exhibition hall B5 at stand 224. MobyDick specialists from all over the world will be there for the entire week to converse with. Visit the company’s new website to find out more.