Fume, or smoke, is the airborne mixture of gases and particulates resulting from the combustion or pyrolysis of a substance. In addition to the particulates and gases themselves, smoke contains air entrained in the mass. It is an unpleasant by-product of many processes, and it can be hazardous to the health of those working in the area.
A fume is a gas stream of tiny particles. When the gas is hot, they are trapped in vapor. A grave marker will contain the character fume. When a person dies, they leave behind a vapor trail on the grave. The particles remain trapped in the vapor.
Intransitive fume can also refer to a smell or odor. Fumes are highly dangerous if they are inhaled. They can be made of gas or a solid substance. For example, lead fume is a powdery, grey substance made up of lead sulfate. The fume can also be produced by ammonia, which gives off a dark tint.
The word fume comes from the Latin language. It’s closely related to the Sanskrit word dhuma, as well as the Greek verbs qyein and qymos, which refer to sacrifice or smoke. It is also related to the English word dust. In addition, fume is an intransitive verb meaning to smoke. It is a verb and a noun that have a variety of meanings.
Meaning of fume hood
A fume hood is an enclosed area in which a chemical can be handled. A fume hood is needed when handling a substance that is regulated as hazardous, as detailed in its safety data sheet. In addition, these hoods are required when using certain open chemicals. Here are some important tips for using a fume hood safely.
First of all, check the air flow. If the hood has no air flow indicator, hold a piece of paper at the bottom of the sash to gauge air flow. If the air flow is not within the recommended range, do not use the hood. It may need to be repaired or certified before being used. Another important point to keep in mind is that fume hoods should not be used with perchloric acid, as the hazardous vapors can build up in the exhaust system.
Another important tip for proper use of fume hoods is to make sure that they are properly positioned on the work surface. Incorrect placement increases the risk of chemical exposure, and improper placement of materials prevents efficient exhaustion from the hood. A half-way placement of materials inside the hood does not allow sufficient airflow to reach the fumes exhaust. Instead, the materials should be placed at least 3/4 of the way inside the hood. By doing this, the chemicals can be exhaustied through the hood’s top ductwork or back ductwork.
Ventilation system configuration
In laboratories, proper ventilation is crucial to protect employees from airborne hazards. It is imperative to design general ventilation systems with low-hazard zones and to maintain a sufficient air velocity in each duct. The ACGIH Industrial Ventilation handbook recommends a minimum air velocity of 1000 to 2000 fpm. Additionally, fume hoods should not serve as the only source of exhaust air in a room. In addition, general room exhaust outlets must be provided for minimum air change rates and temperature control.
The primary ventilation system used in a lab should be able to provide six to twelve air changes per hour. The pressure in the room should be slightly negative. The fume hood should have a sash or other protective measure for the user to keep the vapor away from their face. Moreover, they should be equipped with a blower, which draws air from the room and passes it through a series of filters. After that, the air is released in the exhaust area.
Ventilation systems for fume hoods are classified into two main categories, constant volume and variable volume. The latter category includes systems that use air valves and pressure independent air volume regulators. The controllers of these systems may be controlled by sash position sensors or air velocity sensors installed in the fume hood. The goal of these systems is to achieve a uniform minimum required hood face velocity.
Glove box configuration
If you work in a fume-filled environment, you may want to install a Glove box. These units are designed to contain the fumes and maintain an air quality level that is suitable for the process. They are equipped with an internal white LED light and an adjustable angle that focuses the light on the application. They also have glove ports and a front lift door that hinges for ease of use.
Glove boxes are designed to isolate the fumes and vapours from the main chamber. This is essential for experiments that require the presence of low levels of oxygen or water. The Ossila Glove Box is equipped with high-quality sensors that provide accurate readings and continuous feedback to the control system. This configuration is easy to use and inexpensive to run.
Glove boxes are more dependable than traditional laboratory fume hoods. In addition to ensuring operator safety, these boxes also provide a completely enclosed volume to protect the process, products, and the environment. They are equipped with purification systems and communication systems to keep the atmosphere clean. A glove box is also fitted with instruments and regulators to ensure that the containment level remains constant. The glove box configuration also contains automatic safety systems to avoid leaks.