Application of an air curtain-exhaust system at a multiple opening veneering press.
Authors
Hampl-V; Johnston-OE; Watkins-DS
Source
Appl Ind Hyg 1988 Oct; 3(10):291-298
Abstract
An air curtain/exhaust system was investigated for control of exposure to formaldehyde (50000) at a multiple opening wood panel veneering press. A wood model of the press was used for study. The air curtain system consisted of two vertical manifolds located at both press sides, creating a horizontal air curtain. Local exhaust was produced by an open hood with a face opening covering the press cross sectional area and located at the press end opposite to the manifolds. Sulfur-hexafluoride and smoke were used in development and evaluation of the system. Smoke was entirely captured by the exhaust at a safety factor of one, but in studies using a mannequin, smoke started to flow between the press side and the mannequin at a safety factor of 1.2 to 1.3. Air stream interference with operator activity was minimized due to the exhaust shifting the air curtain stream toward the press wall. The shift was significantly affected by exhaust position and manifold nozzle direction and less so by exhaust flow rate. Greater than 94 percent reduction in sulfur- hexafluoride exposure was achieved with this system. The authors conclude that this ventilation system can be effectively applied to the same or similar multiple opening presses.
Keywords
NIOSH-Author; Exhaust-ventilation; Control-technology; Aldehydes; Air-quality-control; Laboratory-testing; Woodworking-industry
Document Type
Journal Article
Source Name
Applied Industrial Hygiene
