SYSTEM OVERVIEW
DUST COLLECTION CONTROL SYSTEM
Ecogate's patented system saves our customers 68% on their dust collection system electricity costs on average.
We do this by monitoring and understanding what your machines are doing at all times, and adjusting the ventilation system so that it perfectly matches your needs in realtime. Ecogate is Intelligent Ventilation™.
HOW ECOGATE WORKS
A sensor is attached to each workstation. When a workstation is in use, its sensor reports this to the greenBOX control unit. The greenBOX opens blast gates to active workstations, and closes blast gates to inactive ones. The reduced air volume requirements let the Power Master Variable Frequency Driver slow down the system fan, which decreases the fan's power consumption.
Don't worry - the greenBOX is smart enough to always maintain appropriate transport velocities through your entire duct system (Learn More).
The Ecogate system is agnostic as to which dust collector and fan is used. If you already have a dust collector and fan, we'll be happy to work with it. If you're designing a new dust collection system, we will be equally happy to recommend a great dust collector and fan for you. In fact, we'll design your whole dust collection system for you such that it works perfectly for your requirements, grows with your business, and performs at peak energy efficiency.
SYSTEM - KEY COMPONENTS
Sensors
Sensors automatically detect when each machine needs suction.
greenBOX Controller
The greenBOX controller processes signals from all sensors and controls the entire dust collection system while maintaining minimum transport air velocities.
Automatic Blast Gates
Blast gates open automatically to direct airflow where you need and when you need it.
Power Master VFD
A variable frequency drive automatically adjusts fan air volume to match the total machine requirements in real-time while eliminating energy waste. UL & cUL rated.
Analytics
Get complete visibility into your dust collection system, including energy use, fan and filter pressure, drop & branch air velocities, machine utilization and more.
In a typical factory, not all workstations are in use at the same time. In fact, in over 15 years that Ecogate have been designing dust collecting systems, we have seen only a handful of factories where more than half of the workstations run at the same time.
What does this mean? It means that you're vacuuming more air than you need to be. Ecogate always knows exactly how much air you need, and it always gives you the right amount. Reducing the air volume lets us slow down your ventilation fan, and that's where the savings come from. Don't worry - we'll always give you enough air to maintain appropriate transport velocities (Learn More).
DUST COLLECTION SAVINGS
How are the savings so large? With a little bit of help from the Fan Law.
Fan power increases with the cube of the air volume. That means that reducing the air volume by half reduces the fan's electricity consumption to just 12.5% of the normal value.
More typically, on-demand systems require about 70% of the full air volume. At this point, the system uses only about a third of its full-power electricity consumption - and cash for the other two thirds stays in your pocket.
FAN LAW & ON DEMAND SYSTEMS
MAINTAINING TRANSPORT VELOCITIES
By knowing and controlling exactly what is happening throughout your ventilation system, the Ecogate system can maintain appropriate transport velocities.
Ecogate complies with all NFPA and OSHA rules and regulations, providing you with a a safer and more reliable working environment.
SYSTEM ANALYTICS
To realize our world-leading energy savings, Ecogate collects detailed data about when your workstations are working. We think these data about your factory can be of great value to you, too. That's why we let you access the data through any web-connected device from anywhere in the world, 24/7.Instantly learn about how your workstations are used, how much electricity you're saving, and how your operations around the world compare to each other.