Filtration for the surface treatment for industry
Robust filtration solutions for surface treatment industries to optimize their processes and avoid health and safety risks and reduce environmental impact.
Improve productivity with good filtration
Managing surface treatment, especially in paint lines, presents great challenges. Air quality is of vital importance for proper operation because even the smallest elements can have serious consequences. Contaminated air causes rework, which leads to lower productivity and in extreme cases to line shutdowns.
Air filters are indispensable in the processing of industrial materials. In this sector, high levels of dust and other molecular contaminants are generated, resulting in odours, corrosive reactions that can even pose a toxic hazard to employees and the environment.
They therefore require a controlled environment governed by regulations and requirements to ensure process efficiency and avoid health, safety and environmental risks.
Applications
Click on each application in our Venfilter Safety Spaces range and find out how we can help you improve your processes.
General Industry
General Industry
Spray booths are used in a wide range of industries to apply paint and coatings to different types of objects and surfaces.
Air filtration in the processes of polishing, greasing, painting… is essential to maintain a safe and healthy working environment and to achieve high quality paint finishes.
Why is a filtration system necessary?
General industry processes must be equipped with adequate ventilation systems. These systems must provide a controlled and constant flow of air inside the booth. The aim is to remove vapours and particles generated during the process such as spraying and to ensure that the air is effectively renewed.
It is important to use suitable air filters in spray booths. The filters must be capable of capturing and retaining paint particles and airborne contaminants, preventing them from being dispersed into the air. The most common filters used in spray booths are fibreglass filters and activated carbon filters.
Staged filtration, ideal for spray booths
Many spray booths are designed with a staged filtration system. This involves the use of different types of filters in sequence to achieve more efficient filtration. For example, low efficiency pre-filters may be used to capture larger particles, followed by high efficiency filters, such as fibreglass filters, to retain smaller particles.
Materials requiring paint booths
Furniture and cabinets
Paint booths are used in the furniture industry to apply paint and finishes to furniture, cabinets, doors, tables, chairs and other decorative items. The booths allow a uniform, high quality finish to be achieved on these pieces.
Industrial components
Many industrial components and parts require protective coatings, such as paint or anti-corrosion coatings. Paint booths are used to apply these coatings on parts such as metal structures, machinery equipment, pipes, tanks, among others.
Wood industry
Paint booths are also used in the woodworking industry to apply paint, lacquers and varnishes to wood products such as furniture, doors, windows, floors and mouldings.
Industria de madera
Las cabinas de pintura también se utilizan en la industria de la madera para aplicar pintura, lacas y barnices en productos de madera, como muebles, puertas, ventanas, pisos y molduras.
Automotive
Automotive
Paint booths are widely used in the automotive industry to apply paint to vehicles, including cars, trucks, buses, motorbikes, etc. This includes both the painting of complete car bodies and the painting of individual parts.
Air filtration in car spray booths is a crucial aspect to ensure a safe working environment and high quality paint results. Paint booths are designed to contain and control the chemicals, vapours and particulates generated during the painting process and filtration systems play a key role in this process.
Factors contributing to repeat production
If we do not use proper filtration, the final product may be compromised and need to be repeated. Some of the factors that may contribute to a poor paint finish include:
- Dust
- Hair
- Textile fibres
- Contaminants such as silicone
Areas and needs within the sector
There are several areas within automotive paint processes that will have different needs, such as in the area of air filtration.
- Base and clear coatings area
In this area we will use air filters such as Paint-Stop or Omega.
- Oven system
High temperature filters will be used in this area.
- Other areas for air recirculation
Laminar filters or pre-filtering can be used in these areas.
Poor air quality generates…
- Longer production schedules.
- Loss of profit due to additional processing.
- Negative impact on key performance indicators.
- Increased paint line operating costs.
Good air quality achieves…
- Improved chain performance.
- Avoid failures that interrupt production.
- Minimise product tampering.
- Protect equipment and personnel.
- Energy savings
Filtration, your supply chain partner
The productivity of paint lines depends on many factors, one of them being air quality. By eliminating contamination, we ensure that there will be no failures that stop or affect the supply chain.
Discover with Venfilter, which are the most suitable filters to install in this type of painting processes. With good air filters you will have an effective management of contamination risks to minimise production disturbances and reduce costs.
Railway
Railway
Air filtration in spray booths used in the railway industry follows similar principles to spray booths in other sectors, but also has specific considerations related to the dimensions and characteristics of the wagons and locomotives.
HEPA filtration for perfect results
Paint booths in the railway industry are often equipped with high efficiency particulate filters, such as High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) or Ultra High Efficiency Particulate Air (ULPA) filters. These filters are responsible for retaining fine and small particles, such as dust and paint particles, to ensure a proper finish quality and no material loss.
Security for staff
Paint spray booths for the railway industry need efficient ventilation and extraction systems, as the aerosols and particles released by the paint can be very toxic. These systems ensure proper air circulation inside the booth, preventing the accumulation of vapours and particles, and allowing for their rapid removal. Proper ventilation also helps to maintain a controlled temperature and humidity in the spray booth.
Avoid unpleasant odours
Paint used in the railway industry can generate odours and fumes during the curing process. Therefore, it is important to have filtration systems that include activated carbon filters or adsorption technologies to control and remove odours and chemical fumes.
Meet safety standards with Venfilter
As in other sectors, spray booths in the railway industry must comply with specific standards and regulations, both in terms of air quality and safety. It is important to ensure that the filtration systems used comply with the standards and requirements set by regulatory authorities and certification organisations.
The exact specifications for air filtration in spray booths in the railway industry may vary depending on the specific requirements of the application and local regulations. It is therefore recommended to consult relevant guidelines and standards, as well as seek advice from industry experts to ensure a safe working environment and meet the necessary quality standards.
Aerospace
Aerospace
In the aerospace industry, paint booths are used to paint airplanes, helicopters and other aircraft. Painting in these applications is not only for aesthetic purposes, but also for protection and corrosion resistance.
Air filtration in aerospace paint booths follows similar principles to those used in automotive paint booths, but with some additional considerations due to the more stringent quality and safety requirements in this field.
The design of a good filtration system
Spray booths used in the aerospace industry are often equipped with high efficiency filters, such as HEPA/ULPA filters. These filters are capable of retaining extremely small particles, including those of micrometre or even sub-micrometre size, to ensure superior air quality.
Aerospace painting often requires an exceptional, particle-free finish quality. Therefore, aerospace paint booths may use additional filtration systems, such as activated carbon filters or electrostatic filters, to capture fine particles and aerosols that can affect the quality of the finish.
Filtration against corrosion
In addition to particulates, aerospace spray booths must also address chemical vapors and gases. Filtration systems used may include activated carbon filters or specific adsorption technologies to capture and remove volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and other chemical contaminants present in the booth air that can cause corrosion, among many other things.
Maintenance is the key
Regular maintenance and monitoring of filtration systems is critical to ensure their continued effectiveness. Filters should be inspected, cleaned or replaced according to the manufacturer’s recommendations and industry guidelines. In addition, it is important to conduct periodic testing and monitoring to verify air quality and ensure that required standards are met.
Complies with current regulations with Venfilter
Aerospace spray booths are subject to strict rules and regulations in terms of air quality and safety. Manufacturers and operators must ensure that the filtration systems used comply with aerospace-specific standards and requirements, such as those set by regulatory bodies and certification organizations.
Why air filtration systems for the processing of materials for industry?
Installations for the processing of industrial materials require special air filtration and ventilation systems. Without proper control and treatment, this can become a risk to process efficiency.
The microscopic dimension of the sources of contamination, due to their size, makes the problem more difficult, because the air contains different micro-organisms and particles specific to the activity.
The presence of contaminants in the air during the painting process can negatively affect the efficiency of the process. Airborne particles can clog paint equipment nozzles, causing interruptions and delays in production. Air filtration systems minimise the presence of these particles and keep the work flow smooth and efficient.
Sources of pollution
CHEMICAL EMISSIONS
The use of paints, coatings and solvents in the surface treatment industry can generate chemical emissions. These volatile organic compounds (VOCs) can be released into the air during paint application and during the drying and curing processes.
PARTICULATES AND DUST
During sanding, polishing and surface preparation processes, particles and dust containing substances such as metals, old paints, oxides and other contaminants can be generated. These particles can cause air quality problems, especially if they contain toxic components such as lead or asbestos.
EMISSIONS FROM EQUIPMENT AND MACHINERY
Industrial surface treatment activities may require the use of equipment and machinery, such as air compressors, heat generators, etc. This equipment can emit exhaust gases, fumes and other air pollutants if not properly used or maintained.
WASTE AND EFFLUENTS
Inadequate management of waste and effluents generated in surface treatment processes can be a source of pollution. Waste paint, solvents and other chemical products must be properly managed to prevent their release into the environment.
CLEANING AND DEGREASING PRODUCTS
The processes of cleaning and degreasing surfaces prior to paint application can also generate pollutants. Solvents used in these processes can emit VOCs and other chemical compounds into the air.
Filter and air conditioning for the processing of materials for industry
Venfilter filters and filter media are certified and comply with the most stringent regulations to meet the needs of the industry.
The air conditioning systems of the installations of these industries must comply with the strictest requirements in terms of protection and safety. They must guarantee the absence of particulate contaminants, especially in the most critical areas. Only systems with efficient filters can provide such controls.
In short, air filtration systems are essential to ensure the quality of paint finishes, protect the health of workers, comply with regulations and standards, improve the efficiency of the painting process and reduce waste and rework in the industry.
Venfilter offers specialised air filtration solutions that provide excellent long-term performance in demanding conditions. Talk to our experts.
