With only a raw material list, can we initially judge the chemical filtration requirements?

In the early stages of a project, air testing data is often not available and only a list of raw materials is available. For example, solvents, cleaning agents, adhesives, coatings, lubricants, etc. used in the process. At this time, someone may ask: Can you first use this list to determine whether a chemical filter is needed, and roughly what direction to choose?

The answer is: You can make preliminary judgments, but you cannot draw direct conclusions.

Raw material inventories can provide clues - if a material contains volatile components, it could potentially be released into the air. However, the ingredients on the list do not equal the actual concentration in the air, nor do they necessarily affect the process or equipment. From 'what's in the material' to 'what's in the air', there are several layers in between: usage method, temperature, release pattern and ventilation conditions. For specific investigation methods, please refer to whether to do air sampling before choosing a chemical filter . Discuss

Find clues from materials

The value of the raw material list lies in providing preliminary clues to the source of pollution.

Solvent materials. Paints, inks, cleaning agents, and thinners may contain organic solvents such as toluene, xylene, acetone, and ethyl acetate. These ingredients are highly volatile and are more likely to be released into the air if used in large quantities, open operations or heated. For specific selection methods, please refer to Discussion on how to choose air chemical filters for toluene pollution .

Cleaners and disinfectants. Some cleaning agents may contain alkaline ingredients, ammonia or amines. When used frequently in pharmaceutical, food, laboratory and other places, you may need to pay attention. For specific differences, please refer to Discussion on how to choose chemical filters for amine gas contamination .

Adhesives and sealants. Formaldehyde, organic solvents or other volatile components may be released during the curing process. Release is usually concentrated during the construction or curing phase and then gradually decays.

Lubricants and release agents. It may volatilize under high temperature conditions and produce organic vapor or smoke.

The trade name is not sufficient to determine the composition. The specific ingredients cannot be seen in the trade names of many materials, so you need to check the safety data sheet or request ingredient information from the supplier. The safety data sheet lists the material composition, but please note: not all the ingredients on the list will volatilize, and the amount of volatilization also depends on the conditions of use.

Distinguish between existence and release

Just because a material contains a certain ingredient does not mean it will enter the air at the same concentration.

There is a big difference between closed use and open operation. If the materials are used in closed equipment, the volatile matter may be discharged concentratedly through the exhaust system and may not necessarily diffuse into the workshop air. If materials are used in open workstations, volatiles are more likely to enter the ambient air.

Temperature affects release rate. Heating, drying, curing and other processes will accelerate volatilization. The release amount may vary greatly between normal temperature use and high temperature use.

Usage volume and frequency of use also need to be considered. Materials used in small amounts and occasionally may have limited impact on the air, even if they contain volatile components. Materials that are used in large quantities and continuously have higher release loads.

Storage status also has an impact. Solvent barrels and unsealed material containers stored in the open may continue to release volatile matter. How materials are managed affects the actual air load.

Therefore, when looking at the list of raw materials, you must also understand how these materials are used, how much they are used, at what temperature, and whether they are sealed. With only a list and no conditions of use, the judgment will be rough. involving MAU box-type chemical filters , it is also necessary to consider whether external inputs are superimposed. For fresh air projects with

Complete with on-site information

If there is only a list and no detection data, you can first collect some on-site information to assist judgment.

Personnel sensory feedback. Is there any strange smell at the site? In what area and at what time is it more obvious? Sensory information can provide clues but is not a substitute for detection because some gases have no discernible odor.

Equipment corrosion or product abnormalities. If there are signs of metal corrosion, surface contamination, product yield fluctuations, etc., it may indicate the presence of gaseous contamination and require further investigation.

ventilation conditions. The number of air changes, exhaust settings, and air flow direction in the workshop will affect whether pollutants accumulate or are taken away.

Experience in similar projects. If projects with similar processes and materials have already undergone air testing or filtration configuration, you can refer to them. However, attention should be paid to the differences in working conditions and cannot be copied directly.

This information can help form preliminary hypotheses, but testing is still needed to confirm. involving The equipment-side application of FFU supporting chemical filters also requires an understanding of the internal structure, airflow paths and sensitive locations of the equipment.

Form preliminary hypotheses and test requirements

With the inventory and on-site information, a preliminary judgment can be formed.

Initial identification of possible contamination categories. For example, if the material contains a large amount of organic solvents, it can be initially judged that the main focus is on organic matter; if ammonia or amine-containing cleaning agents are used, alkaline gases can be focused on; if acidic materials are involved, acidic gases can be focused on.

Mark items to be confirmed. Which ingredients are uncertain, which usage conditions are unclear, and which areas may be contaminated should be listed. These are the focus of subsequent testing.

Design a sampling plan. Based on the preliminary assumptions, determine the sampling location, sampling period and detection items. For example, if the release of organic solvents is suspected, TVOC or specific organic compounds can be detected; if ammonia is suspected, ammonia or amines can be detected.

Use test results to revise hypotheses. Preliminary judgment is only the starting point, and testing data can confirm the actual situation. If the test results are not consistent with the assumptions, the source and ingredients need to be reanalyzed. For specific sampling methods, please refer to whether to do air sampling before choosing a chemical filter . Discuss

Project judgment example

In the early design stage of a certain project, there was only a raw material list, including several cleaning agents and adhesives.

Preliminary analysis: The content of organic solvents in the cleaning agent ingredient list is relatively high, and the adhesive label contains a small amount of formaldehyde. Based on this information, a preliminary judgment may need to be concerned about organic gases and formaldehyde.

Supplementary on-site information: The cleaning station is open for operation, the adhesive is used under heating conditions, and the workshop is generally ventilated.

Form the preliminary hypothesis: focus on organic solvent volatiles and formaldehyde, and set sampling points at cleaning stations, near heating equipment and at the workshop return air.

Follow-up testing confirmed that the concentration of organic solvents was high and the concentration of formaldehyde was low but still detectable. Based on the test results, select chemical filter media for organic gases and evaluate whether formaldehyde needs to be treated. The position of the filter section and the air volume are confirmed according to actual conditions.

This case illustrates: The raw material list can be used as a starting point, but it requires on-site information and testing data to confirm and correct. involving When selecting a chemical filter product series , it is recommended to provide the list, usage conditions and test results to the supplier for verification.

Key points for selection and acceptance inspection

About Aili Industrial’s preliminary evaluation package

From the raw material list to the filtration plan, material information, usage conditions, on-site conditions and testing data need to be gradually matched.

Aili Industrial has independent manufacturing capabilities in filters, motors, fans, control systems and sheet metal processing, and can provide chemical filter product series and supporting air supply equipment. For the assessment needs in the early stage of the project, the bill of materials, process conditions, space constraints and target gases can be combined to help sort out the preliminary directions and items to be confirmed. When the filter is matched with MAU, FFU, EFU and other equipment, the resistance, interface and maintenance methods can be confirmed uniformly.

Related products:Chemical filter product series、MAU box chemical filter、FFU comes with chemical filter . Providing a bill of materials, usage conditions and preliminary judgment when making an inquiry will help confirm the direction of subsequent testing and selection. The specific plan shall be subject to the technical documents and test results confirmed by the project.