Document Ne8pXRXV9dMeZDzp35aqj4YOb

FILE NAME: Pennsylvania (PA) DATE: 1942 Apr DOC#: PA010 DOCUMENT DESCRIPTION: PA Safe Practice Bulletin - Exhausting Asbestos Fiber and Dust in Wire Insulation Manufacture ? f- ^.- \ . > . * # p i M $ % - `'^:-r ,i 0 i,;"';y i': - -'V- ;T-"vy y'-^v y '-^v':v'. ':y^.4*r% --i v v i s ^ f e * ' y y V , '.&$}<' .exhXustdjg asbestos 'pibsr. ham) ' i>ys vy/^iy ,^ :.; -' & & * ' ' ' : : ~'V. , >. ^Ki-yirRB :iKSUUTicni' W 1w a c t o $ i : Deputy Secretar 'M;.. v. . Department of Labor and Industry "f-'-'L- . Director ./c yv>-vr ; -O;: [jf - Workmen*!; Compensation Bureau ,x-/v' vt',.; w - v -v- f EXHAUSTING ASBESTS FIBER AND 'DUST' WIRE INSULATION MANUFACTURE Edited byt- ' Robert L. Houti, ' Industrial Chemist r..<&-C .-Xv -SV ;T-X,W !& ' i V tr : * * , V J . T . ... r . - * : TThen asbestos is used as on insulation agent in the manufnoture of wire it enters the plant in a refined form, having been through a previous manufacturing or processing treatment at some asbestos factory, which has conditioned the raw supply of asbestos. *'f >X. ` Thus we find two general types of asbestos supply, one the y a m of iVV.-a. asbestos in the spool form (to be used for braiding the outside of the finished wire), and the other the batt, or lap, form of asbestos whioh is . loosely wound in a reel (this is the form that is used on the oarding machines). High grade asbestos, of long staple and free-from-iron content, is used in wire manufacture intended for electrical insulation. The wire manufacturer is more concerned with removal of a rather longstapled waste, than the finer dust particles which are found associated with asbestos-ore processing about the picker-carding machine for example. However, this asbestos by-product, if allowed to escape into the workroom, would soon float into the for boundaries of the plant and hang like Spanish moss, even from the rafters, and settling on belts, pulleys and equipment. It soon gets beyond the control of good housekeeping if unremoved at its origin. Asbestos has a decided abrasive action and its presence is r.ot beneficial to the long life of plant equipment with which it comes in contact. The plant procedure of the General Electric Company's wire works at '-3r>, Pennsylvania is considered a model in its asbestos 'waste removal system, and an illustrated description of the processes used, makes up the basis of this Safe Practice Bulletin. This is a general view of the insulating room of the General Electric Company's ire Works plant at York,Penna. The asbestos carding machine ventilating hoods axe indicated by #1, with the white reel of asbestos felt , marked "A". The larger ventilation hoods, marked #2 are to c a r r y away the volatile fumes of lcohol-base solvents used in lacquers for the wire, and are over the drying ovens. This general type of machine is known as M-Machine. This turns out magnet wire for otors and generators, and electric railways. The asbestos dust is delivered to the angborn Dust Collector, and this system is independent of the one for alcohol fumes. The following illustrated talk was presented by Fred R. Kaimer, at a monthly safe practice conference sponsored jointly by Pennsylvania State College and the State Department of Labor and Industry. This conference was held at the Nittany Lion Inn and was under the joint chair manship of Dr. Frank C. Whitmore, Dean of the School of 'Chemistry and physics of the College and Mr. William H. Chesnut, Director of the Bureau of Workmen's Compensation. _ 1 , EEHA.U3TIN0 ASBESTOS FIBER AND DUST IN WIRE INSULATION MANUFACTURE by Fred R. Kalmar, Assistant to Manager General Electric Co. York Works The use of asbestos fiber in the manufacture of insulated wire usually introduces a dust control problem which may require attention either as a potential dust hazard, a housekeeping problem or both* These conditions depend upon the quality and grade of fiber used, the form in \ which it is applied and the method of applying the insulation material. The York Works of the General Electric Company includes in a complete program of control not only the essential exhausting and collecting equipment for controlling the asbestos fly and dust at its source, but a routine inspection and continuous maintenance of all systems, a periodic check of air conditions, thorough physical examination of all new employees and re-examination periodically for all employees. The success of this program depends upon the uniform stress placed upon each unit of precautionary mecsure. The employee, as well as the employer, share a definite responsibility to insure safety, improved health and better working conditions. The author of this bulletin is Mr. Fred Khimer, who is general manager of the York Wire Works division oi the Oenera] R1 n r i r i c Company.^ plant at York, Penna. and who Is shown standing beside n drying oven, where the solvent alcohol in removed, through the agency of gas fires and vantiLation, together with mechanical Inclosure. This is an M-M.mliine and kindles the larger diameter wire, usually copper, ranging from 9 gauge (o.ll4 iri.) l.o 0000 gauge (0.400 in.), American wire standard:;. The mngnot wire id observed as y.'itering the iuulosure Cram the left side through t.tie opening. (In previous bulletin ,Sni'o Pract. Bulletin Mr. Kniuvr has degr r ibed :Insula tion of 'lire with Synthetic Wax. Illustrated) 2 A brief outline of the method employed in asbestos wire manu facture is essential to qualify some of the illustrations and clarify the mechanics of asbestos fiber removal and collection. "Teltabeston" the General Electric Company's trade name for asbestos insulated wire, comprises an insulating fiber of the erysotile variety H ^ M ^ S i g O g free from iron and other foreign elements. The fiber is physically recognized as pure white #1 quality insulating fiber, length - 1" or #2 grade length 3/8" - 5/8". The method of grading employed by the asbestos mill comprises a screen test which is described briefly as follows: A 16 oz. sample of asbestos fiber is successively screened using first, two mesh screen, then four mesh and ten mesh. The bottom is a solid pan which retains "shorts" or fine splinters'of unopened fiber, A typical screen analysis of #1 fiber and #2 fiber is given below:- Method of grading #1 Fiber 16 oz. sample First screen 2 mesh Second " 4 " 15.376 oz. .354 " 96$ retained " Third " 10 " Bottom - Solid pen #2 Fiber .240 " " .030 " 0.18$ shorts First Second Third Bottom 15,085 oz. .640 " .193 " .082 " 94$ retained " i$ shetts bcctoa Textiles for Insulations Tho above grading represents a f i n d control test of quality of ibor uaed In the manufacture of asbestos textiles, such as roving, yarn afld lap designed for use in insulated wire manufacture. The fact may now be recognized that the quality and grade of product supplied by the asbestos mill for wire insulating purposes is already highly refined. The crushing, grading and refining has been completed leaving the product which the wire manufacturers must handle free from dust particles. The problem therefore becomes one of controlling the fly of short asbestos fibers. If permitted to fly in the work room, the fibers adhere to practically all rough surfaces and projections, settle on operating equip ment, floors, beams, etc. and cause in a short time an unsightly appearance. The abrasive action of the asbestos on rotating members, bearings, gears, cams, is also extremely violent necessitating costly replacements and repairs or high maintenance costs. The installation of adequate ventilating equipment and control measures at York has effectively eliminated these conditions as well as any semblance of health hazard. The process of manufacturing asbestos insulated wire at the General Electric Company, York Works, requires the utilization of asbestos fiber in the form of lap or rolls.(Sample for illustration). The material received from the asbestos mill in this form is re-carded and fed tc the wire element in the required quantity tc produce the desired insulation [thickness. See 1. The process of ro-carding the asbestos fiber and transferring me to the wire element generates asbestos dust ana fly, which is controlled proper exhaust equipment. The simplest, most effective and lowest cost thod which we have devised, without interfering with production, incorpoes a hood completely enclosing the generating unit utilizing hinged ts with shatter proof glass windows for operating control. The volume air handled is a function of hood opening and velocity, the latter being it* dependent upon particle size, specific gravity turbulence and location of hood opening for most effective control. C.F.M. . Area (Sq. Ft.) X V (F.P.M.) Referring to figure #1 - Slide No. 1 pictured is" a typical hood used in the process completely enclosing the generating unit. The hood opening measures 1' x 3* x 1* making an overall area of 3 sq, ft. The velocity used at hood opening is 300 ft/ min. or a volume of air handled of 900 C.F.M. The single branch pipe velocity at entrance to hood is 2000 ft/ rain. A blast gate and by pass damper are also provided for reducing velocities if desired. Figure (2) illustrates the method of fiber collection and system [of removing the collected fibers. The equipment comprises a Pangborn Cloth Screen Dust Collector, arranged for outside location and selective opera:ion. There are 124 screens covered with cotton filter fabric arranged Fide spaced 5^" centers providing an active area of 5150 sq. ft. These a equipped with motor driven screen vibrating mechanism utilizing 4 \ 300 RFM motors. The collector is provided with a central partition through the Hector screen section and dust box shown below to permit continuous -ration. Under normal operations, air flews tc both sides of the collector, .visions have been made permitting the entire air flow to be diverted A the collector in order to vibrate screens in the other half and clean the dust box section below the isolated screen section. The air flow |es are then reversed to permit screen vibration and cleaning of the 5site half of the collector. The air flew gates are finally opened so -o return both screens sections tc the line, This operating cycle is 'ormod once each day es a result of our experience. The removal of asbestos fibers from the dust box section is accomplished manually through four unloading thimbles in the bottom of dust box. Large collector bags positioned with bag clamps receive the asbestos fiber (See photo.) The dust velocity maintained throughout the main duct system is 4000 ft/ min. The system is operated by a single exhauster, backward curved blade type, designed to handle 16,420 C.F.M. from 70, 4" diameter exhaust connectors, A 10$ leakage allowance brings the total C.F.M-. to 18,120, at 1629 R.P.M. A 40 HP - 1800 RFM motor is used to operate the exhauster! This installation has now been in operation approximately three years con tinuous service and has proven its value through results secured in improved housekeeping, working conditions and good health insurance. The waste asbestos fiber formerly thrown away has been reduced by 20$. In other words, we have added to our saleable waste 20$ of good fiber which is valued at $500. per year. Health Routine The procedure which constitutes a complete program of health V routine at the York Work3, I feel is of tremendous importance and if time permitted 'would justify more detail regarding the administration of each cautionary measure. In brief, this program to protect the health and ety of employees develops the following practices: 1. A thorough physical examination and pre-- employment history a prj-roquisite to initial enloymont. 2. A distribution of G. E. Co. Booklets on general safety requirements requiring employees signatures. 3. A distribution of booklets on rules and precautions of safety and health applying specifically to the York 'Vcrks. 4. Distribution and furnishing of following materials: (a) Clothing - Coveralls - Underwear - caps - gloves. (b) Towels - Soap - Protective Cream