Suction system for research and development laboratory

With over 45 years of experience in the design and manufacture of customised industrial extraction systems, we are able to respond to any specific requirement, designing systems that guarantee safety, efficiency and compliance with the strictest regulations.
Whether in large industrial environments or in research and development laboratories, such as the one described in this project, GGE can provide customised solutions to protect workers and improve air quality in working environments.

Recently, a customer company located near Parma (Italy) contacted us because it needed a suction system for the company’s research and development laboratory.
This techno-chemical company, in fact, is a leading manufacturer of chemicals for car body repair and composite products such as fillers, putties, paints and polishes. The customer’s need was, therefore, to extract the chemical vapours exhaled from prototype preparations in the laboratory, to prevent them being breathed in by workers.

Designing the suction system for the laboratory

During the first on-site inspection, one of our specialist technicians supported the customer in identifying and classifying the harmful substances to be extracted and assessed all the processing points where direct extraction would be necessary. This initial analysis revealed the need for the plant to be built in Atex Ex II 3G execution, given the potentially flammable nature of the chemical materials handled by the researchers.

The suction system in the laboratory is spread over several points, so that chemical vapours are captured directly at the emission sources.

• No. 7 Perma small arms in antistatic execution were installed near the researchers’ workstations. These arms, which are self-supporting and articulated, can be easily handled and oriented by the operators, so that they can be positioned in the most effective way according to the work in progress. The arms have a suction hood of Ø 76 mm and they reach a length of 1.5 m when extended.
• No. 2 galvanised metal sheet extraction hoods, one of which is positioned directly on the door of the prototype baking oven.
• No. 1 suction wall measuring 1 x 1 m and 200 mm thick, for localised extraction in the area next to the oven.

The air is extracted at the inlet points through the action of a 3 kW centrifugal fan, installed outside the laboratory and also manufactured in Atex Ex II 3G execution.
The air flow extracted at the various stations is then expelled into the atmosphere through a Ø 350 mm chimney, equipped with a circular silencer for noise attenuation.

Why is a suction system needed in a research and development laboratory?

One might think that an extraction system is only necessary in large workshops or companies that generate large volumes of fumes, dust or odours.
However, the damage to health that can be caused by vapours or gases that are given off in workshops or rooms where small hand work is carried out should not be underestimated. As in the case of the plant described above, localised suction is necessary to prevent chemical fumes from the prototypes being breathed in by researchers.
Another case where it is necessary to install an extraction system may be, for example, within environments where moulding or gluing operations are carried out, or manual work with resins and other potentially toxic materials.

The Italian National Institute for Insurance against Accidents at Work (INAIL)’s prevention and protection guidelines, in fact, advocate the need to equip oneself with suction systems for hazardous chemical agents if it is not possible to replace them with others that do not pose a health risk (read the full article here).
A localised extraction system not only protects the health of workers, but also improves laboratory efficiency by reducing the risk of environmental contamination.

Contact GGE for a personal consultation

Do you think your company might need a suction system to ensure safety at work? Contact GGE today for a free consultation. Our team of experienced technicians is available for:

• analysing the risks associated with your work;
• carry out a free on-site inspection at your company;
• design a customised solution based on your needs.

Find out how we can help you protect your operators and improve air quality in your working environments!