Looking for compressor AND dust collector closet advice

[dtbingle]

There's about a million threads and pictures out there of building an enclosed structure for an air compressor, but not a ton that will enclose both the compressor AND a dust collector. With the 5hp 60 gal air compressor and dust collector having near airplane engine sound levels, a sound enclosure is a must for me.

1) Looking for pictures and/or ideas to contain both
2) The optimal plan is to put them in the same container, HOWEVER, I'm concerned that the dust that escapes the 5 micron dust collector filter bag will build up on the compressor and cause damage. Should I be concerned about this?

 

[beakie]

no location stated so, do you heat/cool?
if so,you will want return air from the closet (opposed to outside)
you want air movement either way to keep machines cooled down
if you can divide the space, even with drapes of rubber/etc to keep dust on one side that would be beneficial to compressor as you mentioned
if you do heat, how? does it require fresh air (IE wood stove) because you will need return air and/or leave a window/door/vent open to allow more air in than is being removed.

I plan on doing this in the next few years
semi attached out building, plumbed through wall, return air, divided space, compressor room will be vented outside aswell.

 

[dtbingle]

no location stated so, do you heat/cool?
if so,you will want return air from the closet (opposed to outside)
you want air movement either way to keep machines cooled down
if you can divide the space, even with drapes of rubber/etc to keep dust on one side that would be beneficial to compressor as you mentioned
if you do heat, how? does it require fresh air (IE wood stove) because you will need return air and/or leave a window/door/vent open to allow more air in than is being removed.

I plan on doing this in the next few years
semi attached out building, plumbed through wall, return air, divided space, compressor room will be vented outside aswell.

Gah, I could've swore my location was added - should be in now. It will only be heated, not cooled. Thanks for pointing out the air return for heating! Honestly haven't thought that far yet - although it definitely won't be wood stove. Probably a ceiling mounted unit of some sorts (not sure on fuel type yet).

The plan was to have a vent low for fresh air and an exhaust vent on the top with a thermostatically controlled fan. Compressor motor is rated at 105F max ambient IIRC, so maybe set it at 90-95F to come on. As you mentioned, it's probably a good idea to separate the equipment - thinking maybe a thin sheet of plywood.

EDIT: Just to clarify thermostat fan would probably only be on the compressor side. The dust collector will likely be fine with convection cooling (intake vent low, exhaust high). I actually reached out to the guys at enoisecontrol and they said a typical "closet" size for a 60 gal compressor was 4'x4'x8' and passive cooling is usually fine for 5hp motors. However, I prefer to err on the side of caution and install active cooling.

 

[cvairwerks]

Unless you are spending lots of bucks on a dust collector and either, going to vent it outside or have the intake for the compressor remoted elsewhere, not a good idea to colocate them. Anything that escapes the dust collector will go right in the compressor intake.

 

[Kaizen]

Also putting a large dust collector that moves a lot of air into a sealed room with just one vent? If that thermo one isn't open there will be a huge amount of pressure.


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[PaulKTM350]

I am currently doing the finish steps with my setup. I put the units under the steps and enclosed them with framing (2x4) and sheet rock. I also put insulation on the inside and then sheet rock on the inside of the closet space. The "triangle" shape room is 10Ft high and 14 Ft long, with a sound deadening door. I too worry about the dust getting into the compressor intake, but than I realized I will NOT be running dust collection AND compressor at the same time! I really do not run the compressor very much so heat will not be a big deal, the shop has a HVAC and all hardware is on the inside space.

 

[dtbingle]

Unless you are spending lots of bucks on a dust collector and either, going to vent it outside or have the intake for the compressor remoted elsewhere, not a good idea to colocate them. Anything that escapes the dust collector will go right in the compressor intake.

Agreed. It's safe to say that I've been persuaded to separate the units.

Also putting a large dust collector that moves a lot of air into a sealed room with just one vent? If that thermo one isn't open there will be a huge amount of pressure.

This is a good point, but the intake/exhaust vent at top will always be open. The thermo fan will be installed inline with exhaust vent. When it's not running, it will be just a passive exhaust vent. This is the compressor side. On the dust collector side, I'll have to make sure to size the exhaust vent properly, but don't expect to need active cooling.

I am currently doing the finish steps with my setup. I put the units under the steps and enclosed them with framing (2x4) and sheet rock. I also put insulation on the inside and then sheet rock on the inside of the closet space. The "triangle" shape room is 10Ft high and 14 Ft long, with a sound deadening door. I too worry about the dust getting into the compressor intake, but than I realized I will NOT be running dust collection AND compressor at the same time! I really do not run the compressor very much so heat will not be a big deal, the shop has a HVAC and all hardware is on the inside space.

Hmm this is true, but dust will still be generated in the closet and float in the air/settle on surfaces. Then on compressor startup, it'll all get sucked in. I also plan to have a gate near my blast cabinet to contain stray blast dust in the air.....that would mean dc and compressor running at same time :/

Also, you should post pics of it!

 

[ard]

In terms of 'protecting' the compressor intake from dust- a remote duct from outside into the compressor intake is probably easiest. Simpler than splitting the room into two halves.

Still, separating solve this and other issues. The exhaust air from the dust collector should probably get back to the heated shop, perhaps via a few 20x30 pleated filters perhaps?....

 

[Kaizen]

I guess before you go cutting holes in your wall try and box in the dust collector and cut a hole in it to see if it works. mine moves so much air I would think it will need a big hole or it will start to degrade in performance.....kind of like if you push your hand over the exhaust of a shop vac and its tone changes with obvious vacuum reduction. i'm sure if you did the math on how much yours moves from x number of tools and figured the cfm you could figure it out. you might want to see if just putting it in a sound reducing box helps

 

[PaulKTM350]

I have NOT installed the DC or compressor yet, still doing drywall and paint before I get the hardware in place. Going to have a 20x24 "filter" by the steps for exit air, will be some drywall "zig zag" in front of the filter to block noise.