Time for change and clean air

If the corona pandemic taught us one thing, it is the importance of good air quality in the spaces where we live and work. According to the World Health Organization, however, we are far from that. Some 99% of the world's population breathes air that does not meet the latest recommendations. Welding fumes are one such culprit. However, technological advances have made clean air everywhere and for everyone in the workplace more within reach than ever before.

Even the operation of the simplest industrial welding fume filter systems is usually not well understood by operators. As a result, these systems do not always receive the attention and maintenance they deserve. This lack of knowledge is now made even more apparent by the scarcity of technically trained personnel. Technology offers a way out here. Because just like machines, filtration systems are becoming smarter and more connected. They are now IIoT devices, equipped with sensors that map their key performance and provide users with dashboards and data to optimize their operation. An investment that benefits your employees' health while also improving productivity. After all, they alert when maintenance is needed or if there are problems with key components that could lead to downtime.

Optimized filter technology

Filter technology itself also underwent a huge makeover over the past decade. And that creates opportunities to improve the efficiency of your system. How well a filter functions depends on a lot of parameters that generally have to find the golden mean between the ability to remove particles from the air stream and the energy required to do so. Many users in recent years opted for a lower initial investment, and thus less efficiency, to reduce costs, or replaced the original filters after maintenance with lower-performing, cheaper alternatives. Both approaches come at the expense of air quality and often cost more in the long run. 

Advanced filter technology eliminates the need for compromise. Innovative filter media such as nanofiber and EPTFE membranes can capture a high percentage of harmful particles in, for example, welding fumes smaller than 1 µm in diameter without significantly increasing energy costs. Filters are now being designed so that they have a larger operating area, require less pressure, and are easier to clean for less energy consumption and waste.

Energy-efficient approach

Nevertheless, the filtration of welding fumes will always require energy. Therefore, choose the approach and equipment that are as energy-efficient as possible to keep operating costs as low as possible. Investing in systems with energy-efficient technology, such as variable speed drives, more efficient filter media, smart control systems that capture air based on needs or actual quality measurements, can help companies save up to 70% of their energy costs compared to a conventional manually controlled system. So rethinking filtration and ventilation systems is worthwhile, especially in the face of current energy prices and sustainability goals. 

Ready for new air technology

We cannot take for granted the air we breathe and the systems that filter it for us. Recognizing the importance of healthy air in the workplace for safety, productivity and sustainability highlights how crucial our investments in industrial systems and their maintenance are within overall business operations. More attention needs to be paid here to protect employees and the environment from the harmful effects of welding fumes, for example. Change is in the air and it starts with choosing innovative technology that can ensure a cleaner future.