Extraction System Efficiency Assessment Based on Workplace Airspace and Emissions Measurements

Protecting air quality is crucial to protecting human health and the environment. In addition to minimising the concentration of pollutants in the atmosphere, reducing exposure to chemical agents in the workplace air is becoming increasingly important. The research will demonstrate the importance and effectiveness of technological extraction ventilation systems used in industry through a workplace air quality measurement in a 3D printer laboratory. In our study, the emissions of air pollutants into the environment were measured by emission measurements and the impact area was determined by calculation. It was clear from the results that the concentrations of methanol and phenol were below the detection limit, so this technology does not produce these substances in concentrations that can be measured. However, in the case of e-caprolactam, a typical air pollutant in several 3D printing technologies, an exceedance of the limit was observed in the phase without the extraction system. The limit value was exceeded by 1.91 %, which represents an increased exposure. The tests carried out clearly demonstrated that concentrations in the workplace airspace were reduced by a tenth in all cases after the installation of the extraction system. The installed, activated carbon filtration system captured 90 % of the volatile organic compounds. The effectiveness of the system is greatly enhanced by the design of the disposal strategy, the use of Best Available Technology (BAT) and the filter incorporated in the extraction system.