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Doobrifurkin  
#1 Posted : 16 November 2021 11:29:50(UTC)
Rank: Forum user
Doobrifurkin

Hello to you all,

We have a process in our undertaking which is essentially a drying oven of a product which starts off wet and from the heat creates a 'blue haze' of fumes due to the pressure of the hot air being forced into the oven, over whelming the extraction we had.

Since we have relocated the process from it's own delapidated building with two large access FLT doors, to an area inside a large warehouse, effectively, the oven has been sealed better and additional extraction has been installed to take away any remaining fumes from the exit of the oven. Air monitoring has taken place on three occasions with those proposed by products of the process identified have shown to be well below the WEL for them.

With that, we'd like to make the air flow in the area better for the operators as they are reporting dry throats and coughing following the work we have done, which have reduced the fumes but not the dry heat in the area and ask if anyone knows of an expert in the field of air circulation in a confined space as we plan to install more roof fans, but we aren't sure if we are helping the situation or making it worse.

Thank you,

D.

PDarlow  
#2 Posted : 16 November 2021 15:00:39(UTC)
Rank: Forum user
PDarlow

Hello D,

I would first of all employ the services of a reputable cpompany to carry out air monitoring to ensure the atmosphere is adequate (and LEV, other control measures are sufficient) before attempting to move air into the brething zones of your operatives. As they are exibiting symptoms such as dry throats, then it would be best to determine that there are no residual fumes / airborne contaminents still present. Maybe start there.

A Kurdziel  
#3 Posted : 16 November 2021 15:10:47(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
A Kurdziel

dry throats are probably caused by a lack of humidity. I am not sure how you might address that given the nature of the work process.

peter gotch  
#4 Posted : 16 November 2021 15:41:46(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
peter gotch

Hi D, lots of potential causes of the dry throats, lots of potential mitigations, some very cheap, some less so.

Plenty of guidance on the HSE website about improving working conditions for those working in or near hot processes. 

stevedm  
#5 Posted : 16 November 2021 20:36:50(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
stevedm

a reputable LEV firm will be able to model the flow for you or any Industrial Hygienist worth thier salt...

you could probably also do it yourself...try https://www.nist.gov/el/energy-and-environment-division-73200/nist-multizone-modeling/applications-contam/airflow-and

if you run into trouble drop me a pm

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