An industrial exhaust system is critical for proper ventilation in any building. This is particularly true in industrial spaces where there are a larger number of contaminants. Designing the exhaust system is an intricate process that requires many calculations from our ventilation experts. In this article, we’ll discuss some of the key considerations when we are designing an industrial exhaust system.
If you need industrial exhaust or ventilation design, get in touch now for a free quote from our specialists.
Design Considerations for an Industrial Exhaust System
Exhaust systems play an important role in industrial ventilation systems. They help remove old, contaminated air from the building and vent it outside. Common contaminants removed by an industrial exhaust system include dust, odors, and smoke. Exhaust systems can also help keep indoor areas comfortable by removing air that is too humid, too hot, or too cold.
When designing an industrial exhaust system, there are many different things our ventilation specialists will need to consider about your building. Here are just a few of the things we consider when designing exhaust systems for your ventilation system.
Recommended Air Change Rates
One of the first things we need to establish is the number of air changes needed per hour. The air change rate depends on the type of occupancy. In general, the minimum number is four air changes per hour. However, different types of buildings require more frequent air changes. For example, here are some industrial building types and their recommended air change rates per hour:
- Factories with fumes and moisture: 10-15 air changes per hour
- Foundries: 15-20 air changes per hour
- Galvanizing plants: 20-30 air changes per hour
- Paper mills: 15-20 air changes per hour
- Manufacturing facilities: 10-50 air changes per hour
- Warehouses: 6-30 air changes per hour
Knowing the recommended air change rate for your building helps us understand how much the industrial exhaust system will need to exhaust all the air in the building to replace it with new air.
Choosing Fans for an Industrial Exhaust System
Exhaust systems work by using powerful fans to draw in contaminated air and force it outside of the building through the exhaust ducting and opening. Fan selection is a critical process and requires a lot of expertise to ensure your industrial exhaust system is up to the task of removing contaminated air from your facility. When choosing an industrial exhaust fan, we first consider the type of contaminants in your building. It’s important to ensure the fan can stand up to the type of contaminants and does not create any potential safety hazards. For instance, if combustible dust is a concern, then we may recommend spark-resistant fans for your exhaust system.
Additionally, we will perform several calculations to ensure the fan is powerful enough for the exhaust system. Two of the most essential calculations we need to perform is the volumetric flow of the exhaust in cubic feet per minute as well as the static pressure. From there, we can determine what types of fans will work for your exhaust system. Afterwards, we narrow the fan selection down by other key factors like noise levels.
Industrial Fans and Ventilation Solutions from Eldridge
Our team at Eldridge offers solutions for all your industrial fan and ventilation needs. Since 1946, we have been creating successful environments through sophisticated industrial ventilation systems. We offer turnkey design and installation for ventilation systems and also supply top quality fans and other equipment to help you address your comfort and air quality concerns in your building. Get in touch today to request a quote from our industrial ventilation professionals.