Ambient air cleaning solutions to complement at-source extraction.

The most effective method of controlling the amount of welding smoke and fume in the factory air is to capture them close to their source before they enter a worker’s breathing zone or general workplace environment. The most typical solutions are extraction arms or on-torch extraction. However, there are situations when this is not possible, not practical or simply does not provide required air quality in the workshop.

Such cases include (but of course are not limited to):

• Welding on large objects that require a large degree of movement
• Workshop areas where overhead obstructions such as cranes prevent duct from being used
• Frequent changes in welding location force the local extraction equipment to be constantly relocated, which negatively impact productivity
• Situations where the air quality standards are especially stringent (e.g. welding schools/training centers)
• Need to protect personnel and machinery located farther away from welding cells

In all these cases, ambient air cleaning solutions can complement at-source extraction to help to solve these problems. The desired effect of reducing the concentration of weld dust and fumes is achieved in few steps:

• Deliver clean, filtered air to the workshop, at high speed at the high level (under the workshop ceiling)
• Break up the dust and fume cloud that forms near the ceiling
• Dilute the dust- and fume-laden air with the rest of the factory air, creating homogeneous mass of air with a low pollutant concentration
• Create favorable air circulation within the workshop, directing polluted air back towards the filter
• Directly capture the dirty air into the low level intakes, remove dust and fume with high-efficiency cartridge filters and return the clean air to the workshop

Such mode of operation also helps reducing heating energy costs in the workshop. Welding dust and fume cloud is warmer than the air close to the floor where the workers operate. Mixing of air and circulation equalizes the temperature within the workshop, also reducing the heat losses through the factory roof and reduces the temperature of air extracted by ventilation (rooftop) fans.

 

Nederman has just launched the third generation of Air Purification Tower. Building on the 20 years of experience, computer-aided design with CFD airflow simulation, and over hundreds of units installed worldwide, the unit has become even more efficient thanks to the use of new patented square cartridges with nanofiber media, at the same being smaller and occupying 20% less valuable factory space thanks to more compact design.

Learn more about Nederman MCP-12S-APT Air Purification Tower and how to take control of your factory air.