Case Study
Case Study - Carbide Dust
March 2009
Bluechip Oil Exploration Company , Aberdeen
System Requirement.
Previous extraction systems used by the client had not provided effective control of the fume produced by the clients work operation with fume being allowed to contaminate the work place, with resultant complaints from the operators.
After discussion with the client to determine the working practise AES designed a bespoke extraction system which comprised of extraction booths for each of the work benches.
The proposed system was required to provide the effective control and extraction of welding fume, grinding dust and carbide wash with temperatures up to 150 degrees Centigrade from 6no. workstations arranged in line over an approximate distance of 18 metres.
System Proposal.
Each of the 6no. benches will be provided with a plenum chamber, located at the rear of the existing benches.
Each plenum is 1100mm in length, and fitted with 2 no. extraction slots, to provide an inward air velocity of up to 1.5 m/second complying with HSE guidance.
To protect the plenum from distortion due to the excessive heat build up when carbide washing, a heavy duty deflection plate is fitted to the the plenum front face.
Each plenum is fitted with a manometer to provide the operator with a visual indication of the correct extracted air volume.
To allow loading of components to each bench by an overhead crane a removable enclosure was supplied which interlocks with the plenum to provide an enclosed booth comprising two side and top panels.
Heavy gauge longitudinally seamed ducting interconnected each bench plenum to the reverse pulse cleaned filter located externally to the building.
Filtration is provided a reverse pulse cartridge filter fitted with 40 no. polyester pleated cartridges providing 940sq.m of media area.
The filter was powder coated finished to provide a durable exterior coat, to a colour specified by the client. Air movement is provided by a backward curved direct driven fanset fitted with a 55kw 415v 3ph motor.
The fanset was enclosed in an acoustic enclosure and the exhaust ductwork was fitted with an attenuator.
The system was commissioned in May 2009 and fully complies with the design brief, providing effective fume extraction and carbide dust from the work area. To view HSE guidance followed by AES click on the following link... http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/guidance/wl3.pdf
