Wood Processing Factory Ventilation
CFW supplies ventilation systems for woodworking industries, ranging from individual fans, to local exhaust ventilation (LEV) units such as hoods for controlling wood dust, to turnkey systems. Dust control systems that include both fabric-type collectors (baghouses) and cyclones are also available. Our experience in ventilation system design, manufacture and installation enables us to consistently produce reliable and cost-effective solutions.
Many wood processing activities can expose workers to pollutants which can lead to health problems. For this reason, adequate ventilation systems are essential. Some areas can have high levels of airborne chemicals. These include manual spraying and dip coating spaces, which should be separately ventilated and use capture hoods or enclosures in addition to safety measures such as respirators. Poor ventilation can also result in fire hazard where flammable dust and chemicals can accumulate.
General ventilation (also known as dilution ventilation) is used to control these gases and vapours. Air is exhausted from the working area and fresh air mixed into the air already in the space to reduce concentrations of gaseous contaminants. In certain cases, local exhaust ventilation can be used to remove contaminants near the source.
Although wood dust is sometimes considered only a nuisance dust, it too can cause health problems in the long term. Wood dust is also combustible and makes equipment more difficult to operate and maintain because it can cause clogging. The ventilation systems of wood processing plants must be designed to reduce the risk of fire or malfunction that arises from these characteristics.
Efficiency
Fan efficiency is crucial to cost-effective sawmill operation. Ventilation fans are estimated to consume 9% of the electricity used at sawmills, while dust collectors, boiler fans and pumps and compressed consume 13%, 8% and 6% respectively. For furniture manufacturers, these figures may be lower for ventilation and boiler fans, but they are even higher for compressed air and dust collectors. Correct blower sizing is important to prevent insufficient capacity while maintaining cost-effective operation. A variable-speed drive (VSD) can also be used to improve the energy efficiency of blowers which may have a much larger capacity than is needed for operations at certain times. It can be controlled using a static pressure sensor so that the airflow will be appropriate.
Contact Us
Address
Cape Town, South Africa (HQ)
3 Parin Road, Parow Industria, 7500, Western Cape
Johannesburg, South Africa
4 Chilworth Road, Founders View North, Modderfontein, Edenvale, 1645, Gauteng
Phone
Cape Town, South Africa (HQ)
T +27 (0)21 931 8331
F +27 (0)21 931 3165
Johannesburg, South Africa
T +27 (0)11 452 5830 / 5146
F +27 (0)11 452 5132
Cape Town, South Africa (HQ)
Johannesburg, South Africa
Mailing address:
P.O. Box 1542, Parow, 7499, South Africa