Method and apparatus for reducing wool production line emissions

An apparatus for treating a particulate laden air stream generated during a glass-wool insulation forming process comprising:

• an air duct for guiding an air stream containing particulate away from a glass-wool forming apparatus;
• a first separator system including an inlet portion connected to the air duct so as to receive the air stream and an outlet portion, said first separator system removing at least a first portion of the particulate from the air stream between the inlet portion and the outlet portion, said first separator system further retaining the air stream in order to provide ample time for the air stream to cool to saturation temperatures, while also providing a high residence time that facilitates the growth of ultra-fine particles into larger particles;
• a second separator system in the form of a single cloud generating vessel including an inlet connected to the outlet of the first separator system and an outlet, said cloud generating vessel removing another portion of the particulate from the air stream;
• and
• a third separator system including an inlet connected to the outlet of the cloud generating vessel and an outlet leading to ambient atmosphere, said third separator system removing moisture and a further portion of the particulate from the air stream prior to the air stream entering the ambient atmosphere.