A Modified Ventilation Slot Hood for Chemical Drumming Booths

Abstract

Chemical drumming operations require proper ventilation systems to prevent employee exposure to toxic vapors and aerosols. For a chemical drum filling booth, an inexpensive exhaust slot ventilation system that effectively captures the evolving harmful vapors and aerosols generated during the drum filling operation is described. Rather than the more commonly used open-face slot, an enclosing slot has been designed for emission control. A more than ten-fold reduction in concentration was observed after installing the new control system as compared to that with the dilution ventilation system originally in place. The volumetric exhaust flow rate through the system was one-half that which would have been required for a commonly used slot design. This reduction in exhaust volume was due to partial enclosure of the slot, which reduced the handling of uncontaminated air. This design reduced the capital investment for the fan and operating costs because of reduced energy consumption. Thus, the potential health ha...