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BEHAVIOUR OF WELDING FUME 

Fume is a dense gathering of particles that cannot be seen by the eye and becomes visible as a thin layer. The smoke generated during the welding process contains contaminant particles with an average diameter of 0.05 to 20 micrometres. The amount and type of welding fume formed depends on the welding parameters and base materials. As soon as it is formed, the welding fume is rapidly directed upwards due to the high heat. The smoke that loses heat is suspended in the range of 2.5 - 5 metres. The fume, freed from heavy particles, continues its slow upward movement. The particles scattered downwards rise up again with every air flow in the environment and are inhaled by all workers. These particles also settle in the eye sockets, skin and hair follicles of the workers.

 

EFFECTS OF WELDING FUMES ON HUMAN HEALTH

In welded manufacturing workshops, gases, dust and fumes that are formed due to the production process and spread to the working environment enter the body through the respiratory tract. Some of these air pollutants can cause chronic (long-term) diseases, as well as acute (sudden-suddenly) disorders depending on the level of exposure. For example, metal fume fever, which is frequently seen in welders, is usually a temporary discomfort, but it also helps the development of chronic diseases. If there are more pollutants than the permitted density in the working environment in welded manufacturing workshops and if this air is inhaled, depending on the duration and intensity of exposure; breathing difficulties, blood diseases, cancer, chronic bronchitis, headache, pulmonary oedema, metal fume fever, irritation of the mouth and nasal mucosa may occur. In addition, damage to the central nervous system, kidneys, liver, blood-forming system and bone structure may occur and related diseases may occur. Occupational diseases called pneumoconiosis occur when metal-containing dust, gas and fumes are inhaled for a long time and accumulate in the lungs. While carbon, tin, iron, aluminium pose a low level of risk, cadmium, chromium, chromium, lead, vanadium, manganese, mercury, molybdenum, nickel, titanium, zinc, mercury, molybdenum, nickel, titanium and zinc, which are among the metals that workers in welded manufacturing workshops are affected by dust, gas, fumes and oxides, cause much greater health problems and permanent diseases because they create irritant and toxic effects. In summary, dust, fumes, gases and vapours, which are frequently encountered in welded manufacturing workshops and which enter the body by inhalation, cause irritation in the respiratory tract due to the fact that they contain the above-mentioned chemicals and cause permanent diseases if inhaled at high concentrations for long periods of time. A similar effect is seen in the eyes and health problems such as irritation, conjunctivitis, keratitis and allergies occur in the eyes.

 

EFFECTS OF WELDING FUMES ON THE ENVIRONMENT

The harmful effects of welding fumes are obvious, when all these harmful substances are discharged through chimneys: It can reach distant regions with the effect of wind. It has been observed that plants do not grow in gardens and fields where these particles are scattered. These particles also affect water resources. Animals in areas with particle fallout are also affected, and the meat and milk of these animals can reach humans again. Its effects on the atmosphere have also been proven as a result of detailed research. For all these reasons, it is absolutely necessary to install an ambient ventilation system in the enterprises where welded manufacturing is carried out, if the welding fumes cannot be locally absorbed and filtered. For many years, solutions such as Push-Pull and layered ventilation have been produced. The common disadvantages of these two systems are that they are piped systems and their investment and operating costs are high. Push-Pull systems are not recommended for environments with a ceiling height of more than 7.5 metres. Push-Pull systems can be used in production areas with low thermal loads (annual MIG/MAG wire consumption less than 10 tonnes). When the calculation and installation of these systems are not carried out by professionals, they lose their functionality. Layered ventilation systems are very useful because they use the principle of displacement ventilation. However, the investment costs of these systems are quite high. Maintenance costs are also quite expensive. Filter towers, which are another solution, are produced by many companies. Since there is no piping in these systems, it is much more practical and economical. Observing the advantages and disadvantages of all these systems over the years, our team has designed a very innovative system:
 

HIVENT HiS

R&D studies have been carried out entirely within our company. The system ensures that all volatile particles formed in the production areas are filtered in a way that prevents them from being sprinkled again and that the ambient air reaches a breathable value. Each HiS unit has a 1.3 kW EC motor. There is a composite fan producing a maximum flow rate of 5000 m³/h. Nanofibre coated cartridge filters are at least F9 class. Filter cleaning system is fully automatic. HiS, which absorbs and filters the polluted air in the environment, adapts to the displacement ventilation principle by giving some of the cleaned air back to the environment at very low speeds at ground level. Part of the cleaned air is blown through the jet nozzles towards the other HiS unit, ensuring continuous mobilisation of the volatile particles.

  

 

HiVent Technology 25/10/2024, Ankara