Particulate Matter In Oil Mist – A Dangerous Companion!

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Particulate Matter In Oil Mist A Dangerous
Companion!
Particulate matter is microscopic solid or liquid
airborne contamination that is generated in
large amounts in industrial working environments,
where welding, soldering, drilling, and other
such operations are executed. The particulates
are very tiny, as small as 0.1 µm, which means
not even a 99th part of a strand of the hair.
Humans can stop particles larger than 10 µm from
entering the body, and anything smaller than
that can pass the defense system. Thus,
particulate matter being so tiny, can easily
pass through the nostrils, then through the walls
of the lungs, and enter the blood stream,
resulting in severe damage to the body organs!
Most deaths in industrial spaces are caused by
such particulate matter. Oil mist A large
carrier of particulate matter Oil mist, which is
generated in almost every industrial space, where
there is use of oil-based liquids and coolants,
is a large carrier of the dangerous particulate
matter. A machine tool can generate oil mist in
two ways through evaporation or through
misting. Evaporation is when the machining
process heats the coolant past its boiling
point, and misting is when mechanical movement
sprays the evaporated lubricant back on the
surfaces of equipment, flooring, and workers
clothes. This oil mist generated, apart from
settling on nearby surfaces, also easily passes
through even the smallest of gaps, and spreads
across the
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wider workshop environment, thus affecting
everyone within the workspace, along with the
direct machining operators. What is oil mist
made of? The exact make-up of the oil mist
differs depending upon the application, and the
kinds of materials used in the operation.
Nevertheless, exposure to any kind of oil mist,
comprising of any kinds of materials, is
detrimental to both human health and the
surrounding environment. Thats because the basic
make-up of this contaminant includes oil,
additives, metal slivers, bacteria spores,
coating particles, and cutting tool shards.
Whatever the metal, whatever the shards, and
whatever the additives, its going to be
dangerous for sure! How does oil mist prove to
be harmful? High rotational speeds, increased
process heat, and high-pressure coolants results
in the machining processes to create finer and
finer aerosols. The size of the particulate
matter may differ, depending upon the coolants
used and processes executed, but it certainly
proves to be a dangerous contaminant. Most oil
mist lingers in the air, posing an inhalation
risk to everyone in the space. Moreover, when
the oil mist settles on the floors, it can cause
slips and accidents. Also, any oil mist on the
surfaces, if ignited, can cause a huge fire
mishap! How can the problem be resolved? It is
essential to consider all these dangers and
mishaps, and come up with a solution to combat
this dangerous contaminant. It is thus advised to
install a mist collector in the workplace to
capture and control all sort of oil mist, thus
freeing the employees and surfaces in the
workplace from the contaminant. Powertech
Pollution Controls Mistkiller is a trademarked
high-efficiency centrifugal oil mist collector
that is designed and developed for the control of
most types of mist that is generated by the use
of water-based coolants or liquids. With a
built-in suction fan, that is driven by an
induction motor, powerful suction sucks in the
mist into the Mistkiller, which is then passed
through a
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centrifugal force that condenses the mist and
collects liquid down the PVC duct, returning it
back to the generating equipment for re-use. In
this way, the air becomes free from the harmful
oil mist, and the generated oil mist is converted
for re-usage, thus eliminating wastage! Its
thus a win-win situation at both ends with such
an oil mist filtration installed!