Clean Air Matrix
RoboVent engineers are experts in every category of air filtration and ventilation. The four categories below represent the major options for treating your contaminated air. RoboVent has designed solutions for each of these categories and has manufactured air filtration systems of unrivaled quality.
For more information about these categories, see Indoor Air Quality 101.
Large blowers and air filtration equipment draw contaminated air from the plant (typically at the ceiling level), filter it and return it to the plant. This is a proven solution in plants welding large parts with overhead cranes. It reduces the haze in the air, resulting in a cleaner working environment, with no negative pressure or heat loss.
Air in the immediate area of the welding activity is captured in a hood system, then filtered and returned to the plant. This is the best solution whenever possible. It allows for a more flexible system and removes the smoke directly from the operator's breathing zone. There are many types of source capture, including overhead hoods, crossflow hoods, fume arms and fume guns, some of which work better than others.
Large exhaust fans draw contaminated air from the plant and exhaust it directly into the environment, typically through the roof or walls. This is a traditional method and often results in negative air pressure. Also, it is very difficult to climate-control your plant and the system may not work well in the winter.
Air in the immediate area of the welding activity is captured in a hood, sent through ductwork, and exhausted directly into the environment. This is a lower capital cost alternative to filtration, but tends to result in high operating costs and large, unsightly ducting systems that work less efficiently with modifications. It also results in negative pressure problems.
Ambient Solutions for Manual Welding
Ambient solutions are another way to capture fumes in manual welding situations. These methods clean the air in the general vicinity of the welding operation. A ducted push-pull system is the most traditional of these. Collection points at regular intervals near the ceiling gather fumes and carry them to a central filtering point. Clean air is pushed in through ducts on the other side of the system, creating a flow throughout a building.
This kind of system utilizes centralized collectors which helps save space. The filtration unit can even sit outside the building. In a ductless system, a standalone filtration unit—or array of units—sits near welding stations and collects fumes. The unit then returns cleaned air through strong jets back into the facility. These units are easy to install and can be moved around if needed.
