Air volume flow rate measurement at workstations and for extraction from production rooms

Measurements of the extracted air volume flow rate

Process data

Measuring task:
Measurement of the volume flow of the extraction

Measuring point:
Suction side in the exhaust air duct

Measuring range:
0,3 … 20 m/s

Process pressure:
Atmospheric

Process environment:
Often SIL2 required
Often ATEX zone
Loaded medium

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Application

Often, potentially harmful, aggressive or flammable gases or substances are produced in production facilities and at workplaces. In order to avoid hazards, the air with the components is extracted via ventilation systems. Corresponding volume flows are often prescribed. For this purpose, a corresponding negative pressure is technically generated in order to extract the desired air volumes.

In order to ensure work and process safety, the extraction must be monitored by measurement. If the required quantity is not extracted, a warning is triggered and/or the process is switched off. For this purpose, the measurement is connected to the automation.

In addition, the measurement can also be used to control the ventilation. In this way, the extraction can be adapted to the process. This reduces the energy consumption of the entire system, saves costs and protects the environment.

Your advantage

Energy efficiency
Measurement reduces suction rate depending on the process

Reliable
With our sensors you can reliably measure even polluted air on a permanent basis

ATEX approval
The sensors are also available for use in ATEX zones up to 0/1

Extraction from production rooms and workplaces

In many production facilities and at many workplaces, gases, dusts, vapours or aerosols, etc. can be generated which can endanger the plant or the employees.  These must be extracted to ensure safety. Some typical examples are listed below.

Welding fume extraction

Various substances that are hazardous to health are produced during the welding process.  On the one hand, in particle form from the welding consumables and the workpiece components such as coatings. On the other hand, gaseous pollution from the gases used and their reaction products. Since both are hazardous to health, these substances must be extracted in order to minimise risks for the employees, because they must not enter the respiratory tract. Protective measures must be taken for this purpose. These are explained in DGUV Regulation 109-002.

There are various options, from extraction directly at the point of origin, to extraction in the vicinity, to room ventilation. All solutions have one thing in common: the volume flow must be measured and controlled reliably and safely. The robust Vortex sensors from Höntzsch with SIL2 approval, for example, are ideally suited for this purpose. Often, several options are combined. The exhaust air is polluted and must be cleaned.

 

Extraction of oil mist from machine tools

When machining the material with tools, harmful smoke and oil mist are produced, among other things. The coolant evaporates during the machining of the workpieces. This poses a hazard to employees, so the air must be extracted to protect them. The humid air with oil mist and aerosols is cleaned via filters. The extraction is monitored.

Dust extraction for bulk materials

When filling bulk materials, the formation of dust cannot be avoided. Therefore, when handling granulate, powder and the like, efficient dust extraction is indispensable for occupational safety and material efficiency. On the one hand, spilled material can be sucked up again and fed back into the process, which increases the efficiency of the plant, and on the other hand, dust that is generated can be extracted and disposed of via filter systems. In addition, the formation of explosive atmospheres can be prevented by extracting the dusts before ignitable mixtures are formed. 

In this way, both the efficiency of the plants and the cleanliness and process safety can be guaranteed, and the protection of operators and plant can be increased.