Tracer gas evaluations of local exhaust hood performance]

A local exhaust hood is one of the most commonly used controls for harmful contaminants in the working environment. In Japan, the performance of a hood is evaluated by hood velocity measurements, and administrative performance requirements for hoods are provided as control velocities by the Japanese Industrial Safety and Health Law. However, it is doubtful whether the control velocity would be the most suitable velocity for any industrial hood since the control velocity is not substantiated by actual measurements of the containment ability of each hood. In order to examine the suitability of the control velocity as a performance requirement, a hood performance test by the tracer gas method, using carbon dioxide (CO(2)), was conducted with an exterior type hood in a laboratory. In this study, as an index of the hood performance, capture efficiency defined as the ratio of contaminant quantity captured by the hood to the total generated contaminant quantity, was determined by measuring the CO(2) concentrations. When the assumptive capture point of the contaminant was located at a point 30 cm from the hood opening, a capture efficiency of >90% could be achieved with a suction velocity of less than the current control velocity. Without cross draft, a capture efficiency of >90% could be achieved with a suction velocity of 0.2 m/s (corresponding to 40% of the control velocity) at the capture point. Reduction of the suction velocity to 0.2 m/s caused an 80% decrease in exhaust flow rate. The effect of cross draft, set at 0.3 m/s, on the capture efficiency differed according to its direction. When the direction of the cross draft was normal to the hood centerline, the effect was not recognized and a capture efficiency of >90% could be achieved with a suction velocity of 0.2 m/s. A cross draft from a worker's back (at an angle of 45 degrees to the hood centerline) did not affect the capture efficiency, either. When the cross draft blew at an angle of 135 degrees to the hood centerline, a capture efficiency of >90% could be achieved with a suction velocity of 0.4 m/s. The reduction of suction velocity would beneficially reduce running costs of local exhaust hoods and air conditioning. Effective and economical exhaustion would be achieved if the minimum velocity obtained by the tracer gas method were to be substituted for the excessive control velocity.     

Use of tracer gas technique for industrial exhaust hood efficiency evaluation--where to sample?

A tracer gas technique using sulfur hexafluoride (SF6) was developed for the evaluation of industrial exhaust hood efficiency. In addition to other parameters, accuracy of this method depends on proper location of the sampling probe. The sampling probe should be located in the duct at a minimum distance from the investigated hood where the SF6 is dispersed uniformly across the duct cross section. To determine the minimum sampling distance, the SF6 dispersion in the duct in fully developed turbulent flow was studied at four duct configurations frequently found in industry: straight duct, straight duct-side branch, straight duct-one elbow, and straight duct-two elbows combinations. Based on the established SF6 dispersion factor, the minimum sampling distances were determined as follows: for straight duct, at least 50 duct diameters; for straight duct-side branch combination, at least 25 duct diameters; for straight duct-one elbow combination, 7 duct diameters; and for straight duct-two elbow combination, 4 duct diameters. Sampling at (or beyond) these distances minimizes the error caused by the non-homogeneous dispersion of SF6 in the duct and contributes to the accuracy of the tracer gas technique.     

Correlation between airflow patterns and performance of a laboratory fume hood

To understand the physical mechanisms of the contaminant dispersion and containment leakage during the ventilation process through a laboratory fume hood, the complicated three-dimensional flow patterns and the real-time tracer gas (SF6) leakage were studied via the laser-assisted flow visualization method and the standard/special gas sampling technique, respectively. Through flow visualization, the large-scale vortex structures and boundary layer separations were found around the side poles and doorsill of the hood. In the near-wake region of the manikin, large recirculation zones and wavy flow structures were also identified. When tracer gas concentration measurements were conducted point-by-point across the sash opening, the areas near the doorsill, the lower parts of the side poles, and the sides of the manikin showed significant contaminant leaks. These areas with high contaminant leaks exactly corresponded to where the flow recirculated or separated. However, when the ANSI/ASHRAE 110-1995 protocol was used to measure the concentration of SF6 at the breathing zone of the manikin, no appreciable leakage was detected. It is suggested that a method based on the aerodynamic features and multipoint leakage detections would reflect a more realistic evaluation of overall performance of laboratory fume hood than a single-point sampling method at the manikin's breathing zone.     

用示踪气体法评价和优选吸气罩

目的 在粉尘发生源处设置适用的局部吸气罩,可以有效地控制粉尘向周围扩散,是预防尘肺病发生的有效措施。为了提供适宜吸气罩的设计,使用了示踪气体法评价吸气罩的效率,对吸气罩的设计进行优选,以提高捕集效率和降低能耗。方法 建立示踪气体评价吸气罩效率的实验风道和方法,采用人工煤气作为示踪气体。结果 实验了长方形和无延伸挡板及有特殊延伸挡板的条缝形吸气罩在不同罩口风速下对示踪气体的捕集效率。导出了捕集效率和距离的关系方程式。实验结果表明:(1)吸气罩与污染源的距离和罩口风速对捕集效率有明显的影响。当罩口风速一定时。吸气罩越靠近污染源,捕集效率越高;而在同一距离上,罩口风速越大,捕集效率就越高。(2)有延伸挡板的条缝形吸气罩的捕集效率高于无延伸挡板条缝形吸气罩,前者采用较低的罩口风速(抽风量)可以得到相应的高捕集效率。结论 使用示踪气体对吸气罩进行优选的结果表明,通过改进吸气罩的形式可以降低所需风量并达到要求的效率,从而为减少通风设施的费用提供了一种重要途径。     

Evaluation of the reverse flow around a worker's body produced by a local exhaust hood]

Recent studies have shown that a reverse flow often occurs in a unidirectional airflow in push-pull ventilation and may transport contaminants from the source into a worker's breathing zone. The same problem may arise in local exhaust ventilation when the contaminant source is located in the worker's wake region. In this study, organic solvent work with local exhaust ventilation was duplicated in a laboratory and the details of the reverse flow around the worker's body produced by the ventilation were experimentally investigated. In order to evaluate the influence of the reverse flow on the exposure of the worker, experiments with a mock-up mannequin (dummy worker) and a local ventilation system which was equipped with an exterior type hood and an enclosure type hood were conducted. The exposure level and the contaminant leakage from the hoods in several conditions were measured by means of a smoke test and tracer gas method. Ethanol vapor was used as a tracer gas. With the exterior type hood, the reverse flow visualized by the smoke was observed in front of the standing dummy worker but could not be observed when the dummy worker was seated. From the tracer gas measurements, it was proved that the exposure due to the reverse flow was not so serious at a capture velocity of > 0.4 m/s, but < 10 ppm contaminant leakage from the exterior hood had been recognized independently of the capture velocity. With the enclosure type hood, exposure due to the reverse flow could be controlled with a capture velocity of > 0.8 m/s. Although the contaminant leakage from the hood due to the reverse flow was not obvious with the enclosure type in any condition, caution should be exercised to prevent exposure when the worker is seated. Regardless of the hood type, the increase in the capture velocity was effective in decreasing exposure due to the reverse flow.     

Effect of cross current due to worker's arm movement on local exhaust ventilation hood

The effect of cross drafts caused by a worker's arm movements on the capture efficiency of a local exhaust ventilation hood was examined in a laboratory. The performance of the local exhaust hoods (rectangular type and slot type) and the transportation of gaseous contaminants from an emission source to the breathing zone were studied by means of the tracer gas method. Acetone vapor was used as a tracer gas. The worker's arm movement was simulated by a dummy worker and a moving forearm model. The results suggest that a worker's arm movements disturb the exhaustion efficiency and may lead to exposure or leakage from a hood according to exhaust velocity.     

A simple and inexpensive method for determining the effective ventilation rate in a negatively pressurized room using airborne particles as a tracer

The ventilation rate within a negatively pressurized room is usually determined by measuring the exhaust air flow rate. This method does not account for air mixing factors and gives limited information on ventilation efficiency within the room. Effective ventilation rates have been determined using tracer gases such as sulfur hexafluoride (SF6). The objective of this study was to determine whether artificially generated airborne particles could be used as a tracer to directly measure ventilation efficiency. We monitored the decay of artificially generated particles within negatively pressurized rooms. Separate trials were conducted at air exhaust rates ranging from about 6 to 20 room air changes per hour. Particles were generated to a minimum of 20 times the ambient concentration using a simple ventilation smoke bottle and measured with handheld light-scattering airborne particle counters. Data were obtained for aerodynamic particle size ranges of: 0.5 micron (microM) and larger, and 1.0 microM and larger. The time rate of decay of particles was plotted after subtracting the background concentrations. Results were compared with simultaneously conducted tracer gas decay analyses (ASTM method E741-95) using SF6. Particle concentrations followed an exponential decay (R2 = 0.98-0.99+) and mirrored the decay curve of the tracer gas. The air change rates predicted by the particle count procedure differed from the tracer gas results by a mean of 4.0 percent (range 0%-12%). The particle count procedure was substantially simpler and less expensive than the SF6 tracer gas method. Additional studies are needed to further refine this procedure and to explore its range of applicability.     

Development of push-pull ventilation

Push-pull ventilation (air is blown across a contaminant generation area toward an exhaust hood) can have distinct advantages over exhaust ventilation alone. It can control contaminant emission into the workplace better than exhaust only, and much less conditioned air must be exhausted so there are energy savings. This paper presents suggested push and pull flow rates for open surface tank operations such as plating. About 98% of the contaminant generated can be captured by a push-pull system using the proper flow rates.     

Methodologies for determining capture efficiencies in surface treatment tanks

Methodologies are proposed for determining capture efficiencies in the ventilation systems of surface treatment tanks, using test-scale equipment. The equipment, which incorporates a lateral and push-pull ventilation system, can measure and control the variables of interest because it incorporates a tracer gas generator (sulfur hexafluoride, the concentration of which is measured by infrared spectrometer). The experimental methodologies described determine total efficiency (when the tracer is emitted uniformly from the whole surface of the tank) and the so-called transversal linear efficiency (when the tracer is emitted linearly through a perforated tube situated over the tank, parallel to the exhaust hood face). The analytical and graphical relationships that can be are established between the two efficiencies make it possible to detect where the emissions not captured by the ventilation system are produced (i.e., losses to the outside). At the same time, such losses can be quantified. Several experiments, results of which are analyzed by the methods described, are included.     

Capture efficiency of local exhaust ventilation systems

A new technique to measure the performance of local exhaust ventilation systems has been developed and tested in both the laboratory and the field. The technique involves the measurement of the capture efficiency of exterior hoods, defined to be the fraction of contaminants given off by a process captured by the exhaust system serving that process. Capture efficiency measurement can be a powerful tool in the evaluation of local exhaust systems, since it is a direct, quantitative measure of system performance; in contrast, indices of performance now in use are either qualitative or measure quantities which may not be related directly to system performance. A basic theory for capture efficiency has been developed, and a prototype system for measuring capture efficiency has been constructed and tested. Preliminary laboratory and field measurements using the system have demonstrated the power of the method, which should find widespread use in the design of new ventilation systems and the evaluation of existing ones.     

Development and evaluation of an air-curtain fume cabinet with considerations of its aerodynamics

In order to avoid the inherent aerodynamic difficulties of the conventional fume hood, an innovative design--the 'air curtain-isolated fume hood' is developed. The new hood applies a specially designed air curtain (which is generated by a narrow planar jet and a suction slot flow at low velocities) across the sash plane. The hood constructed for the study is full size and transparent for flow visualization. The aerodynamic characteristics are diagnosed by using the laser-light-sheet-assisted smoke flow visualization method. Four characteristic air-curtain flow modes are identified in the domain of jet and suction velocities when the sash remains static. Some of these characteristic flow modes have much improved flow patterns when compared with those of the conventional fume hoods. From the viewpoint of the aerodynamics and mass transport, the results indicate that the air curtain properly setup across the sash opening allows almost no sensible exchange of momentum and mass between the flowfields of the cabinet and the outside environment. Two standard sulfur hexafluoride (SF6) tracer gas concentration measurement methods following the ANSI/ASHRAE 110-1995 standard and the prEN14175 protocol for static test are employed to examine the contaminant leakage levels. Results of the rigorous examinations of leakage show unusually satisfactory hood performance. The leakage of the tracer gas can approach almost null (<0.001 p.p.m.) if the jet and suction velocities are properly adjusted.     

某汽车胶管配件公司涂胶车间局部机械排风系统改造介绍及效果评价

目的 介绍某汽车胶管配件公司涂胶车间局部机械排风系统改造经验及效果, 为今后改善类似作业环境提供参考。
方法 对涂胶车间涂胶机设置的局部排风罩的选择、设计、安装情况进行现场调查; 按照《排风罩的分类及技术条件》(GB/T 16758-2008)规定的方法对排风罩的管道风速、罩口风速、控制距离及控制点风速进行现场测量, 分析排风系统设计问题并进行整改; 对改造后的涂胶机局部排风罩再次进行评价, 确认改造效果。
结果 该企业原先设置的涂胶机局部排风罩不完全合理, 结合车间职业接触情况对局部机械排风系统进行管路集中整合, 减少排风管路分支并对控制距离、排风罩扩张角进行整合改造。改造后控制距离、罩口风速、控制点风速以及空气动力学均满足《简明通风手册》以及《局部排风设施控制风速检测与评估技术规范》(AQ/T 4274-2016)的相关要求, 作业场所职业病危害因素浓度均符合国家职业接触限值的要求。
结论 局部机械排风系统的正确设计、安装及使用可有效提高控制效果。管道风速、罩口风速、控制距离以及控制点风速都会影响局部排风罩的实际控制效果; 罩口围挡可提高局部排风罩的控制效果。
     

Characterization of a hooded human exposure apparatus for inhalation of gases and aerosols

A human exposure apparatus was designed to administer a gas and/or aerosol directly to the subject's face. This apparatus utilized a hood associated with a powered air-purifying respirator. The design criteria included the need to maximize subject comfort, maintain consistent atmospheres of a gas or dust within the hood, and the accurate use of direct-reading instruments to monitor exposure levels. An 83-L drum was used to pre-mix the gas or aerosol with the main dilution air prior to entering the hood worn by the subject. A clear plastic oxygen tent, ventilated with room exhaust air, was used to contain contaminants exiting the hood. Bypass valves were added to allow for a startup period during which contaminant concentration levels were allowed to stabilize prior to exposing the human subject. Results from characterization studies demonstrated that the system adequately contained contaminants within the oxygen tent, provided adequate mixing of contaminant and dilution air, produced stable contaminant concentrations over time, and was responsive to sudden changes in contaminant generation rate.     

The effect of thermal loading on laboratory fume hood performance

A modified version of the ANSI/ASHRAE 110-1995 Method of Testing Performance of Laboratory Fume Hoods was used to evaluate the relationship between thermal loading in a laboratory fume hood and subsequent tracer gas leakage. Three types of laboratory burners were used, alone and in combination, to thermally challenge the hood. Heat output from burners was measured in BTU/hr, which was based on the fuel heat capacity and flow rate. Hood leakage was measured between 2824 and 69,342 BTU/hr. Sulfur hexafluoride (SF6) was released at 23.5 LPM for each level of thermal loading. Duct temperature was also measured during the heating process. Results indicate a linear relationship for both BTU/hr vs. hood leakage and duct temperature vs. hood leakage. Under these test conditions, each increase of 10,000 BTU/hr resulted in an additional 4 ppm SF6 in the manikin's breathing zone (r2 = 0.68). An additional 3.1 ppm SF6 was measured for every 25 degrees F increase in duct temperature (r2 = 0.60). Both BTU/hr and duct temperature models showed p < 0.001. For these tests, BTU/hr was a better predictor of hood leakage than duct temperature. The results of this study indicate that heat output may compromise fume hood performance. This finding is consistent with those of previous studies.     

Required response time for variable air volume fume hood controllers

This paper describes results from tests made with the aim of investigating how quickly the exhaust air flow rate through fume hoods needs to be controlled in order to prevent contaminants from leaking out of the fume hood and putting the safety of the laboratory personnel at risk. The measurements were made on a laboratory fume hood in a chemical laboratory. There were no other fume hoods in the laboratory, and the measurements were made without interference from persons entering or leaving the laboratory or walking about in it. A tracer gas method was used with the concentration of dinitrogen oxide (N(2)O) being recorded by a Foxboro Miran 101 infra-red gas analyser. In parallel with the tracer gas measurements, the air velocity through the face opening was also measured, as was the control signal to the damper controlling the air flow rate. The measurements show an increased outward leakage of tracer gas from the fume hood if the air flow rate is not re-established within 1-2 s after the sash is opened. If the delay exceeds 3 s the safety function is temporarily defeated. The measurements were made under virtually ideal conditions. Under more typical conditions, the fume hood could be exposed to various other external perturbations, which means that the control system should re-establish the correct exhaust flow more quickly than indicated by the measurement results obtained under these almost ideal conditions.     

Impact of air distribution on efficiency of dust capture from metal grinding--bench test method

According to the Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC, one of the essential requirements relating to occupational safety and health hazards is to prevent dust pollution emitted by machinery during the implementation processes. Research on evaluation of emissions from machinery, according to the method of test bench using tracer gases, are currently being conducted in CIOP-PIB. This article presents some aspects of dust emission and efficiency of local exhaust ventilation (LEV) during metal grinding. Studies were performed with 10 sources of dust emissions during grinding. To evaluate the pollutants emission in the process of grinding metal products sulfur hexafluoride (SF(6)) was selected as a tracer gas. The results show that wherever dust is emitted, the LEV should be supported by the general ventilation. Ensure good interaction between all elements of modifying the air flow and the spread of pollutants in the surroundings of the LEV is essential to effective protection of human working zone against pollutants. We used five variants of ventilation: ventilation turned off, the LEV, one-way general ventilation, mixed general ventilation and displacement general ventilation. An increase in the efficiency of dust capture depending on the source of emission by 2.5-14% was observed. This confirms that characteristics of flow resulting from the operation of ventilation is important in the spread of pollutants in the room.     

Evaluation of Leakage From Fume Hoods Using Tracer Gas,Tracer Nanoparticles and Nanopowder Handling Test Methodologies

The most commonly reported control used to minimize workplace exposures to nanomaterials is the chemical fume hood. Studies have shown, however, that significant releases of nanoparticles can occur when materials are handled inside fume hoods. This study evaluated the performance of a new commercially available nano fume hood using three different test protocols. Tracer gas, tracer nanoparticle, and nanopowder handling protocols were used to evaluate the hood. A static test procedure using tracer gas (sulfur hexafluoride) and nanoparticles as well as an active test using an operator handling nanoalumina were conducted. A commercially available particle generator was used to produce sodium chloride tracer nanoparticles. Containment effectiveness was evaluated by sampling both in the breathing zone (BZ) of a mannequin and operator as well as across the hood opening. These containment tests were conducted across a range of hood face velocities (60, 80, and 100 ft/min) and with the room ventilation system turned off and on. For the tracer gas and tracer nanoparticle tests, leakage was much more prominent on the left side of the hood (closest to the room supply air diffuser) although some leakage was noted on the right side and in the BZ sample locations. During the tracer gas and tracer nanoparticle tests, leakage was primarily noted when the room air conditioner was on for both the low and medium hood exhaust airflows. When the room air conditioner was turned off, the static tracer gas tests showed good containment across most test conditions. The tracer gas and nanoparticle test results were well correlated showing hood leakage under the same conditions and at the same sample locations. The impact of a room air conditioner was demonstrated with containment being adversely impacted during the use of room air ventilation. The tracer nanoparticle approach is a simple method requiring minimal setup and instrumentation. However, the method requires the reduction in background concentrations to allow for increased sensitivity.     

Nitrous Oxide as a Tracer Gas in the ASHRAE 110-1995 Standard

ANSI/ASHRAE Standard 110 provides a quantitative method for testing the performance of laboratory fume hoods. Through release of a known quantity (4.0 Lpm) of a tracer gas, and subsequent monitoring of the tracer gas concentration in the “breathing zone” of a mannequin positioned in front of the hood, this method allows for evaluation of laboratory hood performance. Standard 110 specifies sulfur hexafluoride (SF₆) as the tracer gas; however, suitable alternatives are allowed. Through three series of performance tests, this analysis serves to investigate the use of nitrous oxide (N₂O) as an alternate tracer gas for hood performance testing. Single gas tests were performed according to ASHRAE Standard 110-1995 with each tracer gas individually. These tests showed identical results using an acceptance criterion of AU 0.1 with the sash half open, nominal 18 inches (0.46m) high, and the face velocity at a nominal 60 fpm (0.3 m/s). Most data collected in these single gas tests, for both tracer gases, were below the minimum detection limit, thus two dual gas tests were developed for simultaneous sampling of both tracer gases. Dual gas dual ejector tests were performed with both tracer gases released simultaneously through two ejectors, and the concentration measured with two detectors using a common sampling probe. Dual gas single ejector tests were performed with both tracer gases released though a single ejector, and the concentration measured in the same manner as the dual gas dual ejector tests. The dual gas dual ejector tests showed excellent correlation, with R typically greater than 0.9. Variance was observed in the resulting regression line for each hood, likely due to non-symmetry between the two challenges caused by variables beyond the control of the investigators. Dual gas single ejector tests resulted in exceptional correlation, with R>0.99 typically for the consolidated data, with a slope of 1.0. These data indicate equivalent results for ASHRAE 110 performance testing using either SF₆ or N₂O, indicating N₂O as an applicable alternate tracer gas.     

Visualization of airflows in push-pull ventilation systems applied to surface treatment tanks

A pilot installation was designed that simulates a surface treatment tank fitted with a push-pull ventilation system. The installation contained elements for measuring and controlling the operational variables (flow rate and tank temperature) and smoke generating equipment for injecting smoke through the holes of the push unit and from the tank surface. Visual observation and video recording of the flows involved meant it was possible to follow the qualitative behavior of the push flow rate along the tank surface and to identify any emissions not captured by the exhaust system. It was possible to differentiate the initial semifree push curtain, its impact with the tank surface, the wall jet that moved toward the exhaust, and its entrance into the exhaust. The methodology proposed is complemented by a quantitative technique for measuring the efficiency, using sulfur hexafluoride as tracer, which permits the causes and location of losses in the ventilation system to be determined.     

Evaluation of leakage from a metal machining center using tracer gas methods: a case study

To evaluate the efficacy of engineering controls in reducing worker exposure to metalworking fluids, an evaluation of an enclosure for a machining center during face milling was performed. The enclosure was built around a vertical metal machining center with an attached ventilation system consisting of a 25-cm diameter duct, a fan, and an air-cleaning filter. The evaluation method included using sulfur hexafluoride (SF6) tracer gas to determine the ventilation system's flow rate and capture efficiency, a respirable aerosol monitor (RAM) to identify aerosol leak locations around the enclosure, and smoke tubes and a velometer to evaluate air movement around the outside of the enclosure. Results of the tracer gas evaluation indicated that the control system was approximately 98% efficient at capturing tracer gas released near the spindle of the machining center. This result was not significantly different from 100% efficiency (p = 0.2). The measured SF6 concentration when released directly into the duct had a relative standard deviation of 2.2%; whereas, when releasing SF6 at the spindle, the concentration had a significantly higher relative standard deviation of 7.8% (p = 0.016). This increased variability could be due to a cyclic leakage at a small gap between the upper and lower portion of the enclosure or due to cyclic stagnation. Leakage also was observed with smoke tubes, a velometer, and an aerosol photometer. The tool and fluid motion combined to induce a periodic airflow in and out of the enclosure. These results suggest that tracer gas methods could be used to evaluate enclosure efficiency. However, smoke tubes and aerosol instrumentation such as optical particle counters or aerosol photometers also need to be used to locate leakage from enclosures.