Summary
A contract manufacturing service provider was struggling to resolve mist collection issues that caused contaminated mist to escape into the workspace and cloud the air. The contractor brought in Glacier Technology to conduct precision air velocity testing to diagnose the issue and restore proper performance. The result: more efficient machine operation and significantly cleaner ambient air throughout the facility.
Background: Supporting Clean Air for Mist Collection Systems
Our client specializes in custom contract manufacturing, injection molding, precision machining, and tool building for complex and highly regulated applications. Their customers operate in facilities that rely on clean, controlled airflow to keep equipment performing properly and to maintain safe indoor air quality conditions. In these environments, even small changes in airflow can create noticeable haze, operator discomfort, and potential compliance concerns.
Mist collectors only function at peak performance when airflow and capture velocities remain within the required operating range. When air velocity slips—even slightly—fine mist can escape the system and accumulate in the surrounding space.
The Challenge: Incorrect Velocity Causing Visible Mist in the Air
One of our client’s customers reported that mist was escaping from their mist collection system and clouding the air around the machines. The issue was not with a new process, but a decline in the performance of an existing one.
Symptoms included:
- Visible haze in operator work areas
- Mist drifting into the ambient plant environment
- Reduced system efficiency
- Concerns about air quality and worker comfort
No unusual facility conditions were present. The issue was simply that the air velocity was no longer at the level needed for the mist collector to perform effectively. This made precision testing essential.
The Solution: Air Velocity Testing to Diagnose and Restore Capture Efficiency
Glacier Technology provided specialized air velocity testing to evaluate the mist collector’s performance and identify the exact cause of the airflow deficiency.
Using calibrated velocity measurement equipment, Glacier’s team:
- Verified actual airflow at key collection points
- Identified the gap between required and actual capture velocity
- Pinpointed why mist was escaping into the workspace
- Provided recommendations to bring the system back into proper operating range
Once the adjustments were made based on the test results, the mist collector immediately performed more effectively.
Why Air Velocity Testing Matters
Mist collectors depend on precise airflow to:
- Draw contaminated air into the system
- Capture droplets before they escape
- Maintain consistent filtration efficiency
- Protect workers from mist exposure
By diagnosing the issue using proper testing equipment, Glacier ensured that the customer received data-backed guidance.
Results: Cleaner Air and More Efficient Machine Performance
With the air velocity corrected, the facility saw immediate improvements:
- Cleaner ambient air, with haze eliminated
- More efficient machine operation, thanks to restored airflow
- Better operator comfort and visibility
- Improved mist collection performance
Proper airflow restored the collector’s ability to capture mist, delivering a healthier and more effective workspace.
When mist collectors underperform, airflow is often the root cause.
Precision air velocity testing provides the clarity needed to diagnose issues quickly and restore system efficiency.
If your facility is experiencing haze, mist escape, or declining air quality, Glacier Technology can evaluate your airflow and recommend the right adjustments to bring your system back to top performance. Contact us to discuss your application.
