A smoke extractor, also known as a smoke collector or a dust collector, is a device that is used to remove smoke and other harmful particles from the air. It is commonly used in factories, workshops, and other industrial settings where smoke and dust are generated as part of the production process. In this article, we will take a closer look at what smoke extractors are and how they work.
A smoke extractor typically consists of several components, including an inlet, a filter, a fan, and an exhaust. The inlet is where the smoke and dust enter the device, while the filter is used to remove the particles from the air. The fan is used to draw the air through the filter and into the exhaust, where it is expelled from the building.
The filter in a smoke extractor is designed to capture particles of different sizes and shapes. There are several types of filters that can be used in smoke extractors, including mechanical filters, electrostatic filters, and HEPA filters. Mechanical filters are made of a porous material that captures particles as they pass through. Electrostatic filters use an electric charge to attract particles to a collector plate. HEPA filters are the most effective type of filter and can remove particles as small as 0.3 microns in size.
The fan in a smoke extractor is responsible for drawing air through the filter and into the exhaust. There are several types of fans that can be used in smoke extractors, including axial fans, centrifugal fans, and turbo fans. Axial fans are the simplest type of fan and are often used in smaller soldering fume extractor. Centrifugal fans are more powerful and are used in larger smoke extractors. Turbo fans are the most powerful type of fan and are used in the largest smoke extractors.
The exhaust in a smoke extractor is where the filtered air is expelled from the building. The exhaust can be designed to vent the air outside or to recirculate it back into the building. Venting the air outside is the most common method and is preferred in most cases, as it prevents the filtered particles from accumulating inside the building.
In summary, a smoke extractor is a device that is used to remove smoke and other harmful particles from the air in industrial settings. It works by drawing air through a filter and expelling the filtered air through an exhaust. The filter is designed to capture particles of different sizes and shapes, and there are several types of filters and fans that can be used in smoke extractors. The exhaust can be designed to vent the filtered air outside or to recirculate it back into the building, depending on the specific needs of the application.