A manufacturing facility was experiencing significant steam generation from their hot water washing process. The steam was spreading throughout the building, leading to increased temperatures, condensation on the ceiling and other surfaces, and concerns about potential damage to the building envelope and surrounding equipment. To address these issues, O’Dell stepped in to design an effective exhaust system.
Challenges
The challenges presented by the steam generation included:
- Increased temperatures throughout the facility
- Degradation of the building envelope due to condensation
- Potential damage to other process equipment in the area
The Solution
To mitigate these challenges, we designed an exhaust system specifically aimed at capturing the steam produced by the washing process. Drawing on our expertise in kitchen hood systems, we employed similar principles used in our SpringAir Type II condensate hoods, which are commonly utilized to capture steam from dishwashers.
The solution involved:
- Installing a SpringAir condensate hood: This hood was carefully sized to overhang the process equipment, ensuring that when the doors were opened, steam would naturally rise into the hood.
- Utilizing a PennBarry roof-mounted upblast exhaust fan: The fan was appropriately sized at 200 CFM per foot to effectively pull the steam into the hood.
- Incorporating integral features into the condensate hood: This included stainless steel baffles and condensate deflectors, as well as a perimeter lip and drain connection around the inside bottom seam of the hood. The entire hood was constructed from 18-gauge stainless steel for durability and resistance to the wash environment.
Our Approach
This solution successfully addressed the steam issues faced by the manufacturing facility by:
- Capturing and exhausting steam effectively, reducing humidity levels and preventing condensation
- Protecting the building envelope from potential degradation caused by moisture
- Safeguarding other process equipment from heat and condensation damage
Conclusion
Through careful planning and execution, O’Dell provided a tailored exhaust system that effectively managed steam generation in the manufacturing facility. This project highlights the importance of specialized ventilation solutions in industrial settings to ensure operational efficiency and equipment longevity.
