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Control methods for mineral oil mists
David Leith1, John Volckens, Maryanne G Boundy
1Department of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA.
Applied Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
|October 14, 2003
Summary
Effective mist collection is crucial for plant air quality, but vapor repartitioning can increase oil-based metalworking fluid mist concentrations. Achieving very low mist levels is challenging due to this phenomenon.
Area of Science:
- Industrial Hygiene
- Environmental Chemistry
- Aerosol Science
Background:
- Oil-based metalworking fluids (MWFs) contain semivolatile hydrocarbons.
- These hydrocarbons can partition between vapor and mist phases in plant air.
- Mist collection is essential but doesn't solely determine air concentration.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between semivolatile hydrocarbon vapor and mist concentrations.
- To apply atmospheric chemistry partitioning theory to MWF mists.
- To understand the impact of vapor-to-mist repartitioning on air quality.
Main Methods:
- Utilized partitioning theory from atmospheric chemistry.
- Analyzed the behavior of semivolatile hydrocarbons in MWF mists.
- Considered the role of mist collectors and plant ventilation.
Main Results:
- Mist collectors effectively remove mist but not vapor.
- Collector exhaust can lead to vapor repartitioning, increasing mist concentration.
- Vapor-to-mist repartitioning is significant for many MWF compounds.
Conclusions:
- Very low mist concentrations in plant air may be difficult to achieve.
- Controlling vapor-to-mist repartitioning requires complex and potentially impractical solutions.
- Understanding partitioning is key to managing MWF air quality.