Source Capture Hoods
Virtual AssistanceSource capture of pollutants using localized exhaust hoods is an economical and cost-effective means to control plant air quality. Source capture or collection of dust, smoke, mist, or fume at its source minimizes the amount of air that needs to be cleaned as well as the amount of make-up air required and the cost of control. Carefully designed hoods are available as standard “off the shelf” designs, or they can be custom designed to maximize capture of particulate and fume. In most cases, where we have not seen or applied a hood to a similar application, the starting point is “Industrial Ventilation – A Manual of Recommended Practice for Design” manual.
Advantages of Custom Exhaust Hoods
- Can be moveable or fixed in-place, requiring a minimal amount of space
- Often, they can be attached to a flexible extraction arm so they can be easily maneuvered out of the way
- Custom designed to maximize collection efficiency at a point source
- Fit to process equipment layout for dust and fume removal
- Can be added to an existing central dust or fume collection system if the exhaust fan has performance capacity
- Isolate pollutant points throughout a plant
- Construction options of carbon steel, stainless steel, FRP or PVC
Poor Exhaust Hood Design
- If the hood is not designed to be positioned close to the contaminant source it will not collect dust or fume effectively
- When a hood is “not working”, it will not be used
- If the hood design is “in the way” it will not be used
- Room cross drafts, caused by local cooling fans or window fans, may push air away from the hood inlet and negate the effectiveness of source capture
