Dimensionamento do sistema de exaustão de uma indústria de beneficiamento de madeira

Abstract

In Brazil, the high generation of wood waste represents an environmental concern, originating at various stages of the production chain, from the mechanical processing of wood to the production of finished items. When neglected, this waste can become environmental liabilities, but its use as a raw material offers profitable opportunities and helps mitigate environmental problems. Sawdust is a common byproduct of these processes, resulting from activities such as cutting, turning, drilling, and sanding. In occupational settings, exposure to wood dust occurs during industrial operations or the use of machines for wood handling. Inhaling wood dust is associated with various respiratory problems, such as dry cough, chronic bronchitis, and chest pain, and is also a risk factor for cancers in various regions of the respiratory and digestive systems. In workplaces involving exposure to wood dust, measures such as exhaust systems, area cleaning, the use of personal protective equipment (PPE), and other practices are recommended to reduce workers' exposure to these harmful substances. Pneumatic conveying systems, commonly used to remove particulate materials from the work environment, are relevant in this context. They can operate in dense or dilute modes, with the choice determined by the characteristics of the material being transported, including particle density, transport fluid density, average particle diameter, among others. The present study focuses on the analysis of wood dust transportation as a bulk material. Based on the classification of bulk solids and the material properties, a cyclone and a conveying line will be designed for the pneumatic conveying system in a splicer at the studied wood processing industry, as well as the calculation of pressure losses associated with the transport to define the installation power. This work aims to optimize transport efficiency, ensuring worker safety and minimizing the environmental impacts associated with the improper handling of wood waste.