Do you remember when our science teacher used to remind us if a chemical reaction occurs, we are to, essentially, “fan away” the mist or vapors away from ourselves and our classmates? While this technique might have sufficed in grade school, in real-world applications, a chemical fume extractor is used. Today, we will talk about what a chemical fume extractor is, where it used, and how to use it.
Table of Contents
What is it?
A chemical fume extractor sometimes referred to as a fume hood, is a machine that is used to filter and remove harmful chemical vapors. In particular, and as the name implies, harmful fumes from chemicals, whether stand-alone or mixed together, can expose you to several health risks. A fume extractor aids in preventing symptoms associated with harmful fume exposure that may include dizziness, headaches, eye irritation, and respiratory tract irritation to just mention a few. A chemical fume extractor system typically consists of a fan that will extract the contaminated air into its filtration system to remove the hazardous fumes and particulates in the air. The system uses various types of filters to suit specific extraction needs.
Application
A fume extractor system can be built to be mobile or stationary. With that said, there are various places or applications where this particular machine is used. One of the first places that generally come to mind, when we talk about this particular machine or system, are laboratories. Specifically, industrial laboratories may use several fume extractors as these types of laboratories are used to conduct research for several different industries that may include experimenting with harmful chemical substances.
As with industrial laboratories, the construction industry also uses this type of machinery to help in removing harmful chemicals like those emitted from ironworks such as in welding. Aside from welding, the construction industry may also use a fume extractor during the fabrication of plastic materials.
The tech industry also uses this particular extraction system. Capacitors, chips, and electrical wiring are soldered unto boards. Because of this process, fumes or vapors are released into the air during the soldering process. Thus, fume extractors are used to aid in filtering out these harmful vapors.
As briefly mentioned a fume extractor can be built to be mobile or stationary, providing versatility and flexibility to its users. Another industry or profession that uses fume extractors are first responders such as those of whom are hazardous material (HAZMAT) specialists. HAZMAT specialists are deployed during emergency situations that involve harmful and hazardous material. As such, mobile fume extractors are used during these situations.
How to use it
So, now that we’ve discussed a few industries that use fume extractors and how it is used in those particular fields, let’s now talk about how to use this machine. Generally, operating a fume extractor is relatively simple. One would switch on the machine then place the suction arm or head near the fumes to be extracted. There are also fume extractors that do not have a suction arm or head such as those built like a table or bench. With this kind of fume extractor, you would switch it on and simply perform your process atop while it is “vacuuming” the fumes. One other type of fume extractor, are those simply built without a suction arm but are not built like a table or bench. This kind of fume extractor generally consists of a fan and wall guards. You then would place the object close to the fan for fume extraction.
Whether you are considering a mobile fume extractor or a stationary one, these systems are built with safety in mind, both for yourself and the environment.