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Glossary

A

Adsorption

Adsorption involves gases, odours or chemical pollutants being bound to the surface of a material, often activated carbon. The method is used, for example, in air purifiers and filter systems designed to reduce odours, VOCs or gaseous substances.

Activated carbon is a porous filter material used to capture odours, gases and certain chemical substances. In ventilation and air purification systems, activated carbon filters are often used to complement particle filters.

The working environment encompasses the physical, chemical and organisational conditions at a workplace. In the field of process ventilation, the working environment often involves reducing exposure to dust, smoke, gases, vapours and other airborne contaminants.

The separation efficiency describes the proportion of particles or contaminants that a filter or separation system can capture. A high separation efficiency is important in environments where air pollution poses a health risk or affects production.

ATEX is a set of regulations governing equipment and work environments where explosive atmospheres may be present, for example when handling combustible dust. Wood shavings, grinding dust, flour dust, powders and certain chemicals can pose an explosion risk if they mix with air in the right concentration.

B

Mixed ventilation

Mixed ventilation involves mixing incoming air with the air in the room to dilute pollutants. This method is often used in general ventilation, but is not always sufficient when pollutants are generated directly at the point of a process.

Fire dampers are used in ventilation ducts to prevent fire and smoke from spreading between fire compartments. They are essential in ventilation systems where ducts pass through walls or floors subject to fire safety requirements.

Combustible dust consists of particles that can ignite and cause a fire or explosion. Examples include wood dust, plastic dust, metal powders, flour dust and certain chemical powders. Handling combustible dust often requires a specific risk assessment and appropriate equipment.

C

Central vacuum system

A central vacuum system is a permanently installed system in which dust and particles are extracted via a network of pipes to a central unit. In industry, central vacuum systems are used for cleaning, process-related extraction and dust management.

A cyclone is a mechanical separator that uses centrifugal force to separate particles from the air flow. Cyclones are often used as pre-separators upstream of filters, particularly for wood shavings, coarse dust and heavier particles.

D

Dust separator

A dust separator is a device that separates dust and particles from the air. It may incorporate filters, cyclones, cartridge filters, bag filters or other separation technologies, depending on the type of contaminant.

 

Dust load refers to the amount of dust to which a filter or ventilation system is exposed. A high dust load may require a larger filter area, automatic filter cleaning and a more robust design.

 

Differential pressure is the difference in pressure before and after a filter. When the filter becomes clogged, the pressure drop increases, which can affect air flow and energy consumption. Differential pressure is therefore often used to determine when a filter needs cleaning or replacing.

 

A fume cupboard is a workstation with an integrated extraction system that captures contaminants at the work surface. It is often used when handling chemicals, adhesives, solvents, dusty materials or for light sanding and polishing work.

 

E

Energy saving

Energy savings in process ventilation often involve reducing unnecessary airflows, recovering heat, controlling ventilation according to demand, and selecting energy-efficient fans. As ventilation systems can operate for long periods, energy efficiency is a key economic factor.

 

Explosion relief is used to minimise damage in the event of a dam explosion. This may involve explosion panels, flame-free relief devices or other protective solutions that divert the shock wave in a controlled manner.

F

Filter

Filters are used to remove particles, dust, smoke, aerosols or gases from the air. Different types of filters are used depending on the size, quantity and properties of the pollutants.

The filter class indicates the type of particles a filter is designed to capture and its efficiency. Examples include coarse filters, fine filters, EPA, HEPA and ULPA filters.

A filter cartridge is a cylindrical filter element with a large filtration surface area. Cartridge filters are often used in dust collectors, chip extractors and industrial air purification systems where large volumes of air need to be purified within a limited space.

Filter cleaning involves removing dust from the filter surface, often using pulses of compressed air or mechanical shaking. Automatic filter cleaning is common in systems with high dust loads.

Exhaust air is air that is removed from a room, process or machine. In process ventilation, the exhaust air may contain dust, gases, smoke, wood shavings or other contaminants that need to be filtered out before the air is discharged or recirculated.

The fan generates the airflow required to remove contaminated air. The choice of fan depends, among other things, on the air volume, pressure requirements, temperature, particles and any explosion risks.

An air flow switch monitors the air flow in a ventilation or extraction system. It can trigger an alarm if the air flow drops too low, for example due to blocked filters or a fault in the fan.

A pre-filter is used upstream of the main filter to capture coarser particles. This reduces the load on the filter, extends its service life and improves operational reliability.

G

Fuel filter

Gas filters are used to reduce gaseous pollutants, such as solvent vapours, odours or chemical emissions. Activated carbon is a common filter material used in gas filters.

Coarse filters capture larger particles and are often used as the first stage of filtration. They protect downstream filters and ventilation components from becoming clogged too quickly.

H

HEPA filter

HEPA filters are high-efficiency particulate air filters used where very small particles need to be removed. They are found, for example, in air purifiers, cleanrooms, laboratories and certain industrial environments.

A hood is an extraction unit placed close to a source of pollution. It can be fixed or movable and is used to capture, for example, smoke, steam, heat or dust.

I

Industrial air purifier

An industrial air purifier is a freestanding or permanently installed unit that purifies the air in production environments, workshops, warehouses or other premises. It is used to reduce particles, dust, odours, smoke or aerosols in the air.

Commissioning involves adjusting the airflows in the ventilation system so that they correspond to the design values. Correct commissioning is essential to ensure that the system provides adequate protection, the right level of comfort and reasonable energy consumption.

The intake is the point at which air, dust, wood shavings or contaminants are drawn into an extraction system. The design of the intake affects how effectively the system captures the contaminants.

K

Channel

A duct carries air between the extraction point, the filter, the fan and the outlet. The duct’s dimensions, length, bends and material affect the pressure drop, noise level and the system’s performance.

Duct cleaning involves cleaning ventilation ducts to remove dust, wood shavings, grease or other deposits. In process ventilation, this can be important for both fire safety and operational performance.

Source capture involves capturing the pollution as close to the source as possible. It is often more effective than attempting to purify the air throughout the entire premises afterwards.

L

Airflow

Air flow refers to the volume of air passing through a system per unit of time, often measured in m³/h or l/s. The correct air flow is essential for process ventilation, air purifiers and chip extractors to operate effectively.

An air purifier is a device that filters particles, dust, odours and other pollutants from the air. In industrial settings, air purifiers are often used to supplement local exhaust ventilation or general ventilation.

Air change rate refers to the number of times the air in a room is replaced per hour. A high air change rate can help improve air quality, but does not always replace the need for localised extraction at the source of pollution.

M

M-filter

M-filters, previously classified as medium-risk dust in certain classifications, are used in situations where the dust requires a higher level of filtration than simpler coarse filters. When selecting a filter, one should always take into account the relevant standard, the type of dust and workplace health and safety requirements.

Metal fumes are produced, for example, during welding, cutting and thermal processing. They consist of very small particles that can be harmful to health and require effective extraction and filtration.

Mist filters are used to remove oil mist, emulsions and aerosols from the air. They are often used in CNC machining, turning, milling and other processes where cutting fluids are used.

O

Oil mist

Oil mist consists of tiny droplets of oil or cutting fluid that are released into the air during machining. If not effectively captured, it can affect the working environment, machinery and the premises.

Overhead filters are filter or air purification units that are installed above work surfaces or production areas. They are used to circulate and purify the air in premises where local exhaust ventilation is insufficient or impractical.

P

Particulate filter

Particle filters remove solid or liquid particles from the air. They are used in everything from simple air purifiers to advanced industrial filter systems.

Cartridge filters are compact filters featuring pleated filter media that provide a large filtration area. They are commonly used in dust collectors, chip extraction systems and industrial air purification systems.

Local exhaust ventilation is a system that captures pollutants directly at the source. It is used, for example, during welding, grinding, soldering, gluing, chemical handling and machining.

Process ventilation is a type of ventilation designed to capture, transport and remove airborne contaminants from a specific industrial process. Unlike standard comfort ventilation, its purpose is often to protect people, machinery, products and premises from process-related contaminants.

Process extraction is an extraction system connected to a machine, workstation or production process. It can handle, for example, dust, wood shavings, smoke, gases, steam, heat or oil mist.

R

Recirculation

Recirculation involves returning treated air to the room instead of venting it outside. This can reduce energy losses, but requires the air to be treated sufficiently and the type of pollutant to be suitable for recirculation.

Clean air is air that has passed through a purification stage during which particles or pollutants have been removed. The quality of the clean air depends on the type of filter, the degree of separation and the condition of the system.

Fume extraction systems are used to capture fumes from processes such as welding, soldering, laser cutting or other thermal processing. Effective positioning close to the source is crucial for the system to function properly.

S

Cutting fluid mist

Cutting fluid mist is produced when cutting fluid is atomised into the air during machining. If not captured, it can cause a slip hazard, soiling and reduced air quality.

Wood shavings are material residues produced during the machining of wood, metal, plastic or composite materials. Wood shavings can be dry, damp, fine, coarse, flammable or sharp, depending on the material and the process.

A chip fan is a fan designed to carry chips and particles in the air flow. It is often used in the timber industry, joinery workshops and other businesses where large quantities of chips need to be moved.

A chip extractor is an extraction system that removes chips and dust from machinery and workstations. Chip extractors are often used during sawing, planing, milling, sanding and other machining operations.

Dust is a collective term for small solid particles in the air. In industry, dust can be generated during grinding, crushing, powder handling, woodworking, welding and many other processes.

A dust collector is a filtration system that separates dust from the air. It may be fitted with cartridge filters, bag filters, cyclones or other separation components.

A suction arm is a movable arm fitted with a suction unit that can be positioned close to the source of contamination. Suction arms are often used during welding, grinding, soldering and laboratory work.

Welding fumes consist of very small particles and gases produced during welding. As welding fumes may contain substances that are harmful to health, local exhaust ventilation, filtration and good ventilation are often required.

T

Supply air

Supply air is air that is fed into a room. In process ventilation, the balance between extract air and supply air is important to prevent negative pressure, draughts or impaired performance of the extraction system.

Pressure drop is the resistance that air encounters as it passes through ducts, filters, bends and other components. A high pressure drop can lead to higher energy consumption and poorer airflow.

Wood dust is produced during sawing, sanding, milling and other woodworking processes. It can affect health and is also flammable, which makes effective extraction and dust control essential.

U

Extraction

Extraction involves removing air, dust, smoke, gases or particles from a workplace or process. Extraction systems can be localised, machine-mounted or part of a larger ventilation system.

An extraction point is the location where contaminated air is captured. Its position, distance and design all affect the system’s efficiency.

V

VOC

VOC stands for volatile organic compounds. They can be emitted from, for example, paint, adhesives, solvents, plastics, cleaning products and certain industrial processes. VOCs may require special ventilation or filtration, for example using activated carbon.

Ventilation filters are used to remove particles from supply air, extract air or recirculated air. The choice of filter depends on air quality requirements, the type of contaminant and the system’s operation.

A ventilation duct carries air through a ventilation or extraction system. In process ventilation, the duct layout often needs to be adapted to prevent the build-up of dust, shavings or condensation.

Heat recovery involves capturing energy from the exhaust air and using it to heat the supply air. In process ventilation, this can reduce energy costs, but the solution must be tailored to the contaminants present in the air.

Å

Return air

Recirculated air is air that has been purified and returned to the room. It can be energy-efficient, but is not always suitable, particularly if the air contains gases that are harmful to health, odours or substances that cannot be filtered safely enough.

Vapour can be produced during heating, washing, surface treatment or chemical processes. Ventilation systems for vapour often need to manage moisture, heat and any chemical substances.

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