Installing an industrial ventilation system is a top priority for companies in a wide variety of fields. A good industrial ventilation system can remove air contaminants, filter out dust fumes, and bring in fresh air, which can help employees avoid sickness and heatstroke in addition to reducing the risk of fire or explosion. Due to their complexity, designing an industrial ventilation system that can filter out industry-specific contaminants while remaining reliable and corrosion-resistant can present a challenge for manufacturers and technicians in any field.
At Markair, not only do we provide the best industrial ventilation and dust collection technology, but we also offer expert applications support for power generation, water and wastewater, pulp and paper, general manufacturing, and food manufacturing facilities. Keep reading to learn more about industrial ventilation systems and their major components, why they are important, and how Markair can help solve unique ventilation problems associated with complex systems.
What Is An Industrial Ventilation System?
Industrial ventilation systems are designed to move a specific amount of air outside a facility (which is called the “exhaust”) while bringing in an equal amount of air from outside the facility (which is called the “supply” or “intake”) at a specific velocity. This process results in the removal of airborne contaminants, such as dust, ash, and chemicals, that can be hazardous to humans if inhaled.
Although all ventilation systems are designed following the same basic principles, each system is carefully custom-designed to handle the specific type of work occurring at a given workplace, as well as the rate at which specific contaminants are released. For example, facilities with low-toxicity contaminants and a minor degree of air pollution may rely on dilution ventilation, in which contaminated air is mixed with clean air to reduce the proportion of contaminants. In contrast, facilities with more toxic contaminants may use local exhaust ventilation, in which fume hoods are used to capture contaminants at their source and carry them away from workers.
Importance of Industrial Ventilation Systems
Some of the main benefits of industrial ventilation systems include:
- They eliminate hazardous chemicals or materials. Inhaling dust, ash, particulate matter, or chemical fumes can cause serious health complications for workers, especially over long periods of time. Reducing the concentrations of toxic chemicals or materials in the air that employees breathe can minimize their risk of illness or harm.
- They eliminate the need to use less toxic chemicals. Because some industries rely on the use of toxic chemicals and materials, an effective ventilation system can allow manufacturers to continue using them without needing to account for the fact that they can be harmful to their employees’ health and safety.
- Installing ventilation is easier than changing an industrial process. Ventilation removes the need to redesign an industrial process that may work well but produce more contaminants than desired. Additionally, because ventilation helps remove dust and particles that can accumulate on machinery, it can help prolong the lifespan of expensive industrial equipment, thus allowing effective industrial processes to continue for longer amounts of time.
- Installing ventilation can remove the need to change work practices. In addition to allowing efficient industrial practices to continue unabated, installing ventilation can help manufacturers save time and money by keeping employees healthy, thus reducing the amount of sick time used. Ventilation systems also keep machinery in good condition, which reduces the amount of downtime spent fixing damaged
One additional benefit of ventilation systems is that they can help control the temperature of a warehouse or factory. This temperature control can help improve workers’ health, safety, and well-being by providing them with a workplace that is cool and comfortable rather than dangerously hot or stuffy.
Parts of Ventilation Systems
To fully comprehend how an industrial ventilation system works, it is important to understand some of the main parts of common industrial ventilation systems. As stated above, most ventilation systems include an air supply system (which brings fresh air inside) and an exhaust system (which removes contaminated air). The main parts of the air supply system include the following components:
- Air inlet. The air inlet represents an entry point for the clean air that is brought into the building. The size, location, and control of the air inlet must be strategically determined to provide a given building with optimal airflow (i.e., the ideal quantity of fresh air and optimal velocity).
- Air filtering equipment. Air filtration equipment is used to remove contaminants from the air before it is brought indoors. These filters should be selected based on the size of particulate matter that needs to be filtered out. Filters should be regularly cleaned or replaced to ensure that air is being adequately filtered and to avoid contaminant build-up.
- Heating and cooling equipment. Heating and cooling equipment ensures that the humidity and temperature of the air remain appropriate for both the facility itself as well as the work being done inside it. Maintaining the temperature of the facility is crucial for the comfort of workers as well as the optimal performance of machinery. Maintaining the facility’s humidity also prevents the formation of condensation, which can damage equipment.
- Fan. Fans are used to keep air circulating as well as to direct its movement in a specific direction and at a specific velocity. The shapes of each fan blade can be customized to provide less noise, allow for faster airspeeds, or move greater volumes of air. As with air filtering equipment, fan blades must be kept clean and in good condition to ensure that they continue to provide optimal service.
- Ducts. Ducts are the series of passageways through which clean air is brought into a facility. An ideal duct system should be able to carry air without depositing any of its particulate material within the ductwork while also requiring as little fan horsepower as possible and experiencing minimal loss in pressure during its movement.
- Air distribution registers. An air distribution register not only allows clean, filtered air to be directed into a specific area of a facility, but it also includes a damper to control the volume of air being carried into that area. Registers also include blades that can be modified to direct air in a specific direction or to a specific location to maximize the efficacy of the ventilation system.
Industrial Ventilation Solutions from Markair
Industrial ventilation systems are important for a wide variety of industries. These systems bring fresh air into warehouses and facilities and collect, clean, and remove air that has been contaminated with chemicals, toxins, or particulate matter. Because these systems improve the breathability of the air for employees and prevent the accumulation of dust on machinery, they are integral for the health and safety of a facility’s workforce as well as its equipment.
Due to the many components that must be included in a ventilation system, designing an industrial ventilation system can be complex and challenging. At Markair, we have more than 30 years of experience in crafting elegant ventilation solutions for a variety of industry-specific needs. Contact us today to learn more about our products and services and to discuss how we can help with your unique ventilation problems.