Wet separators or wet scrubbers are used in industry for exhaust air purification, filtering dust, chips, aerosols and other particles from the contaminated process air. In contrast to dry extraction, wet extraction uses water as the filter medium.

Pollutants and particles are drawn into the extraction system with the process air, bound by the water and separated. For additional filtration of carcinogenic dusts and fine dusts, HEPA H14 filters are used as a second filter level, which can also filter out viruses, pollen and mold spores. The cleaned process air can then either be fed back into the production hall in recirculation mode or discharged outside as exhaust air.

Wet separators use water to separate dust, chips and other particles. The water acts as a filter by combining the particles from the polluted process air with the water droplets. The air is first drawn by a fan into a water vortex, a water wall or a water basin and then passes through further filter stages in the extraction system.

All wet separators from ABSAUGWERK have a specially developed stainless steel metal mesh in the second filter stage, which separates the moisture from the cleaned air. When processing carcinogenic substances such as stainless steel dust, we use a HEPA H14 filter as an additional third filter stage, which also effectively filters out fine dust and particles of 0.001 µm, such as viruses, pollen or mold spores.

• Flammable dusts
• Explosive dusts
• Stainless steel dusts/steel dusts
• Chips
• Metal dusts (aluminum, magnesium, titanium)
• Plastic, rubber
• Fibers, lint
• Wet dusts
• Sticky powder

The areas of application for wet separators are as varied as the different techniques and different types of dust, powder or chips themselves. Not every wet separator is equally suitable for all materials. When selecting the optimum dedusting solution, we take a large number of parameters into account in order to offer you an economical and sustainable extraction system.

Wet separators are particularly suitable for filtering flammable, explosive, sticky, fibrous or moist media such as dusts, fibers, powders and more. The water filter medium can extinguish sparks and reduce fires and dust explosions. The so-called ATEX directives (ATmosphères EXplosibles) are relevant for industrial extraction systems, which stipulate a special design and technical components.

Wet dedusters are used in a wide range of industries, particularly in production processes such as grinding, polishing, cutting and slicing.

The operation of wet separators in Germany is regulated by the 42nd Ordinance for the Implementation of the Federal Immission Control Act (42. BImSchV), which was issued in 2017. This regulation was supplemented by the VDI 3679 guideline of the VDI/DIN Commission. The legislation lays down various obligations for operators of wet separators in exhaust air operation, in particular with regard to the process water used for filtering.

Before commissioning a system, an independent risk assessment must be carried out by a hygienically competent person, including action plans in the event that the limit values are exceeded.

• The operator is obliged to keep a logbook with documentation of the samples.
• Regular laboratory tests must be carried out, including verification.
• A reference value for germ contamination must be established and adhered to.
• The unit must be inspected at least every 5 years by an expert or an accredited inspection body.

Note: The 42nd BImSchV applies exclusively to exhaust air operation. In recirculation mode, the water should nevertheless be tested regularly, as legionella can also form in this context and pose a potential risk to employees.

Cleaning
To maintain a constant separation performance, wet separators should be cleaned at regular intervals according to their degree of soiling. Various inspection openings and a cleaning set with hose are available for this purpose to prevent deposits.

Maintenance
We recommend servicing your extraction systems at least once a year in order to comply with product safety requirements and the German Ordinance on Industrial Safety and Health.

Disposal
Wet separators use water as the main filter medium, although some products have additional filter stages. The contaminated process air is passed through the extraction system and filtered with water. Light suspended matter and particles remain in the water, while coarser particles sink to the bottom and are disposed of as so-called sludge discharge. The less residual water there is in the discharge, the cheaper the disposal will be. Our sludge tanks are therefore equipped with a sieve and filter fleece to effectively separate water and sludge.