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Bioenergy and Biomass Dust Extraction Systems

As biomass energy production continues to expand across Australia and globally, so too do the risks that come with handling, processing and storing organic material. From wood pellets to agricultural waste, each stage of biomass conversion generates dust, posing serious health, safety and environmental challenges to your business.

Mideco delivers specialised biomass dust extraction systems made to tackle the unique characteristics associated with different biomass fuels. With over 70 years of expertise in industrial dust extraction, you get tools that reduce risk, maintain compliance and create safer workplaces. Choose Mideco, and choose a safer workplace today.

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Why You Need to Get On Top of Bioenergy and Biomass Dust Control

Managing biomass dust isn’t optional. It’s essential for keeping your business safe, efficient, and compliant. Fine particles such as wood dust pose serious health risks, from respiratory illnesses and allergic reactions to long-term conditions like cancer. Many forms of biomass dust are also highly combustible, leading to an increased risk of fires or explosions in poorly ventilated areas.

Outside of the workplace, fugitive dust emissions can escape into surrounding environments to breach air quality regulations and put nearby communities at risk. This may result in fines, litigation or even forced shutdowns.

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Where Bioenergy and Biomass Dust is Generated

Bioenergy and biomass operations involve a wide range of organic materials, each with different dust characteristics and handling requirements. Dust can be generated throughout processing, storage, transfer, and combustion activities, making effective dust management essential for maintaining safe and efficient operations.

Wood Processing and Sawdust Handling

Milling, pelletising, grinding, and material transfer processes can generate significant volumes of fine airborne particles. Materials such as wood pellets and forestry biomass require careful dust control to minimise airborne particulate and reduce contamination risks.

Storage and Transport

Silos, conveyors, hoppers, and transfer points can disturb settled dust and release particles into surrounding work areas. These high-volume material movement areas are common points where dust suppression and containment measures are required.

Burnley® Baffles are designed to help manage dust generation at tipping points, receiving pits, and transfer areas where bulk materials are discharged and moved.

Ash Residue from Biomass Combustion

Combustion processes can generate fine ash and particulate residues that create respiratory exposure and visibility concerns if not effectively contained and managed.

Landfill Gas and Biogas Operations

Organic waste breakdown and fuel recovery processes can release dust, vapours, and airborne contaminants. Similar challenges can occur in agricultural environments, where material behaviour and airflow require precise, site-specific dust management approaches.

Dust collection solutions in farms address similar challenges where organic materials are handled in bulk.

Materials Handled in Biomass and Bioenergy Applications

Mideco’s Burnley® Baffles are used in facilities handling a range of bulk materials commonly associated with biomass and bioenergy industries, including:

Wood and Forestry Biomass

Wood pellets

Agricultural Residues and Organic Byproducts

Bran and soybean bran powder
Corn meal
Grain and grain dust
Meal and meal dust
Soybean meal and grain/soya meal

Each material presents different dust behaviours, which is why dust management solutions must be selected based on the specific handling process, environment, and operational requirements.

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"Mideco provided effective routine servicing of our smelter Bat Booths, keeping the equipment operational and enabling personnel to safely utilise them for dust management. They are also very flexible with servicing coordination and always easy to contact."

Jake Dalla Valle
Asset Management Planner, BHP Olympic Dam

“The Bat Booth is actually unreal. We have got night shift workers, and it’s a lot faster and more efficient to use. Instead of relying on a simple handgun, this equipment really gets the job done quickly and effectively.”

Alex Stevenson
Leading Hand, Hanson Wolffdene Quarry

“The Bat Booth is very good. The maintenance guys use it the most because they get covered in dust and dirt during their work. It makes a huge difference in keeping them clean and comfortable. They really appreciate how effective it is for that purpose.”

John Taylor
Quarry Manager, Hanson Ferny Grove Quarry

“Bat Booth has been a great installation here at Glasshouse. It's allowed our guys at the end of the day, after they've done their maintenance and before they jump into their vehicles and head home to their families, to lock out of the MCC room and come into the Bat Booth and be de-dusted... to make sure that we're not increasing their exposure of respirable dust.”

Chris Wilson
Quarry Manager, Hanson Glasshouse Quarry

“We have used the Burnley Baffles successfully on several projects.”

Senior Project Manager, AMG, Inc.

Exploring Mideco’s Leading Bioenergy and Biomass Dust Extraction Solutions

At Mideco, we offer end-to-end systems designed for complex biomass environments. Our solutions can be used in both standalone applications and integrated setups across diverse sites. Whatever solution you need, find it with us:

Wood dust collector systems and Mideclones: Built to handle fine, dry particles generated in timber and pellet facilities, with Mideclones separating heavier particles ahead of filtration.
Burnley® Baffles: Proven technology for reducing dust emissions during tipping and unloading in receiving pits and hoppers.
HEPA filtration and air management: Maintain breathable, clean indoor air across enclosed processing spaces.
Bat Booth® personnel cleaning: A walk-through personnel cleaning booth that removes dust from workers’ clothing before they leave a dusty area, helping reduce the transfer of particulate into cleaner workplace environments.

Our approach draws on the industry-specific systems and dust management expertise we’ve developed across dust collection solutions in farms, bulk material handling, recycling, and other dust-intensive sectors.

Call On Our Expertise and See the Difference

With over 70 years of experience in industrial dust extraction, Mideco has the expertise to develop solutions for a wide range of biomass fuels, including wood, agricultural waste, landfill gas and biogas, each requiring a specialised approach to manage dust safely and effectively.

Our systems are all Australian-made and manufactured in-house so that quality, durability and compliance can be promised. From reducing emissions and mitigating explosion risks to supporting long-term WHS compliance, our solutions are designed to deliver real-world results. We also offer expert support across multiple sectors, from dust collection in pharmaceuticals to dust collection solutions in mines.

Let’s Solve Your Bioenergy and Biomass Dust Challenges

From wood dust collection and receiving pit dust management to worker protection with our innovative clothes cleaning system, Mideco helps biomass facilities control fugitive dust, safeguard personnel, and run cleaner, safer, and more efficiently.

Contact our specialist team today for expert biomass dust extraction solutions. It’s time to protect your business, your workforce, and your future.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is bioenergy and biomass dust collection?

Biomass dust collection captures airborne particles generated during the handling, processing and storage of organic material such as wood pellets, agricultural waste and biogas feedstock. It uses collectors, filters and ducting to draw dust-laden air away from work areas, protecting workers and preventing fugitive emissions from spreading through a facility.

Why is bioenergy and biomass dust hazardous?

Fine biomass dust poses both a health and a fire risk. Inhaled particles can cause respiratory illness and, over time, more serious conditions, while many forms of biomass dust are highly combustible and can create an explosion risk in poorly ventilated or enclosed areas where dust is allowed to accumulate.

What equipment is used for bioenergy and biomass dust collection?

Mideco’s options for biomass dust control include Burnley Baffles to suppress dust at tipping and unloading points, dust collection systems for fine, dry particles, and Mideclones for heavier dust. HEPA filtration can provide additional fine-particle filtration in enclosed processing spaces, while the Bat Booth can help remove dust from workers’ clothing and reduce the spread of contamination beyond dusty work areas.

Is biomass dust combustible?

Many forms of biomass dust, including wood dust and organic fines, are combustible. When fine particles accumulate in enclosed or poorly ventilated areas and become airborne in sufficient concentration, they can form an explosive dust cloud, making effective collection and housekeeping essential in any biomass handling facility.