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HAZARDOUS AREAS & SAFETY
KEEP A VISUAL ON FILTER CONDITION
Joshua Evans MEng (Hons) IChemE,
Applications Engineer and Head of BOFA Academy, explains how to maintain a safe working environment through effective filtration technology
anufacturing businesses operating processes that produce airborne contaminants owe a duty of care to their people, particularly where these emissions present a potential health risk to employees.
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In many countries, including the UK, occupational exposure limits linked to hazardous airborne contaminants have been established to safeguard working environments. In response, industrial companies focused on the wellbeing of their people and their investment in expensive equipment, are employing advanced fume and dust extraction technology to contribute to their occupational health and safety strategies and to support their productivity plans.
For example, BOFA’s portable technology, which can incorporate multi-stage filtration, innovations in airflow management and smart system control, is proven to filter airborne contaminates of a size and composition with the potential to impact human health. At the same time, the equipment aims to keep production lines free from the dust that might otherwise negatively affect machinery and product quality. The exact extraction system architecture,
airflow rates and filtration media will depend upon each application, the industrial process involved, and the size and composition of the gases, fume, vapour, or dust emitted. Specifying the correct set-up is critical in ensuring that emissions, whether from lasering, electronics soldering, ink printing, 3D printing or another process, are appropriately controlled. Each solution needs to take account of the process, substrates and chemical interactions to help ensure optimal protection both for the workforce and expensive equipment.
For example, laser processes can generate very small particles which, if not properly controlled, can collect around the laser head, as well as the ducting and filters. Depending on the material, these particles can be highly
28 MAY 2024 | PROCESS & CONTROL
flammable, so manufacturers need to ensure that their extraction systems are maintained to keep the area around the laser free from airborne contaminants and to prevent any sparks entering the extraction unit. Mitigation steps could include introducing technology such as BOFA’s FireBOX products (above) and its Spark Arrestor 2. In the case of the latter, this captures hot embers before they reach the fume extraction unit, which itself is thermal cut-out protected. Increasingly, the monitoring of extraction performance is made easier through visual
FireBOX offers added safety and protection from fire The AD500 (below) is suitable for heavy-duty applications
read-outs. For example, with BOFA’s Intelligent Operating (iQ) platform, a user screen displays operating information covering temperature, motor status, airflow rates (actual vs target set point) and filter condition. This makes assessing filter saturation levels simple and helps users schedule filter exchanges in step with maintenance plans. This not only avoids filter blockages that would decrease airflow and the capture of fumes, but it also lessens the risk of unplanned downtime due to equipment contamination. And because iQ stores downloadable historical performance data, it’s also easier to see the impact on filter lifecycles of changes to production and maintenance regimes. So, with this combination of system monitoring, smart airflow management, filter architecture and bespoke design options – along with BOFA’s inhouse scientific expertise - production managers have the means to specify the most appropriate extraction technology for their needs. And, BOFA units are portable, so they can support an agile manufacturing environment - a benefit that is becoming increasingly important as companies seek to flex opportunities in new markets and respond quickly to customer demand.
Finally, it is important to ensure that any extraction system installed is maintained for optimal performance, so instigating a schedule of routine actions will help protect your investment in expensive equipment. These include:
• A daily visual inspection to flag up any equipment alerts or alarms that need to be investigated, linked for example to filter saturation levels.
• A weekly supervisor-led inspection to look at the physical condition of extraction devices/nozzles/enclosures/hoses and check the system for damage, changes to configuration and correct operation. • A monthly check for blockages, signs of dust or vapour/gas/odour carry over (remember to wear appropriate PPE). • An annual service by a competent engineer, which will include the regular checks plus inspection of filter condition, extractor motor and electrics. Replace any filters not exchanged during preceding 12 months. • Keeping a log of actions and findings to help inform future preventative maintenance and anticipate filter exchange schedules.
BOFA
www.bofainternational.com
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