Fume Extraction

Awareness of occupational health and safety issues are on the rise as the worlds work force ages. Issues related to breathing airborne pollutants are among the chief concerns. Many occupations are subject to breathing airborne particles, vapors,and fumes generated from the use of adhesives, flux gases, solvents, and the like. Often this exposure leads to health hazards such as occupational asthma, which can result in turnover, absenteeism,and health related claims. Fume extraction whether at the small portable level or large volume units are critical to keeping the air and environment surrounding employees free of pollutants.

Fume Extraction Systems consists of three basic parts: a collection point where fumes are captured, an airflow source to pull fumes through the system, and a filter system to remove the pollutants before the cleaned air is returned to the workplace atmosphere. Recirculation of clean conditioned air saves energy, lower costs, and may help with environmental regulations compliance.

THE COLLECTION POINT

The most efficient fume extraction systems remove the fumes as close as possible to their source. The best way to accomplish this is always dictated by the type of work being done

For tasks involving a small work area, such as hand soldering, the collection point can be situated extremely close to the source of the fumes, right at the tip of the soldering iron. This is called Tip Extraction.

For tasks that involve a larger working area, such as the application of adhesives, a higher volume fume extraction method must be used, consisting of a cone-shaped nozzle situated over the source of the fumes. This is called Volume Extraction.

THE AIRFLOW SOURCE

The airflow source is a vacuum pump that provides airflow (vacuum) to pull the dangerous fumes through the system. The kind of pump used depends on the type of fume extraction system.

Tip Extraction Systems typically require lower airflow, but higher vacuum (up to 12,000 Pa for efficient fume extraction).

Volume Extraction systems need a much lower vacuum (generally 2,800 Pa maximum) but require a high airflow rate for efficient fume extraction.

THE FILTER SYSTEM

The filter system utilizes three types of filters:

A dust filter to remove larger particles.

A micro filter to remove almost al smaller particles and increase the lifetime of the gas filter. The seperation degree of this filter is 99.97% DOP.

A gas filter where the airflow is cleaned. The gas filter is made of activated carbon with a chemisorbant substance.~;~

The lifetime of the filter varies from 3-12 months, depending on working hours, quantity ofparticles, and type of pollutants.