Services
Process or Room Area Ventilation
Metal Fume Control
Background: Metal fumes from a large torch cutting operation were escaping into adjacent work areas, bypassing an existing side-draft hood. The process also included a high-velocity push jet which was used to prevent the buildup of gases under the work piece. The project objectives were to develop a hood design that would capture and contain the process fumes while minimizing the required exhaust flow rate.
Method: Field testing was performed to quantify key process variables such as heat output, fume generation rate and push jet performance. Using this data, a computational fluid dynamic (CFD) model of the existing process was developed and the output for the baseline condition validated. Alternative hood configurations likely to improve fume capture were developed and a preferred option was selected by the customer. A CFD model of the selected configuration was developed and utilized to predict fume capture at different exhaust flow rates and at different torch positions. Results led to a final hood design and selection of the required exhaust rate.
Results: After installation, the hood performed as predicted and the process fumes are now adequately controlled. Estimated savings of $50,000 in capital costs and $ 5,000 in annual operating costs because the hood design and exhaust rate were optimized using CFD analysis before any construction took place.
CFD output showing fumes bypassing original exhaust hood.
CFD output showing complete capture of process fumes with new design exhaust hood.
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