Exothermic or heated processes create potentially unsafe work environments for an estimated 5-10 million American workers each year. Unlike other sources of occupational exposure, exothermic processes are present in a multitude of industries in the manufacturing sector including chemicals, petroleum, coal, glass, and primary metals. Although millions of workers are exposed to exothermic processes and associated hazards, insufficient attention has been given to continuously improving engineering technologies for these processes to provide effective and efficient control. This dissertation addresses this important research gap. Currently there is no established occupational standard specific to exothermic processes. Therefore it is important to investigate techniques that can mitigate known and potential adverse occupational health effects related to these processes.; The current understanding of exothermic process engineering controls is primarily based on a book chapter written by Hemeon in 1955. Hemeon based his assertions for the behavior of buoyant plumes and effluents from exothermic processes on empirical data and heat transfer theory as it was understood in the 1950s. Research into the validity of Hemeon's equations has identified shortcomings in its ability to accurately estimate flow initiated by heated sources. Although dated, Hemeon's equations heavily influence equations currently being recommended by the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) and other professional organizations. Improvements in heat transfer and meteorological theories that can be used to approach the problem of estimating flow have been developed since Hemeon's time. Research conducted for this dissertation involved a current review of the physical properties, heat and mass transfer and meteorological theories governing buoyant flow. These properties and theories were used to predict parameters required for the determination of buoyant flow to assist in the development of improved ventilation equations and controls.; This body of research was conducted to (1) investigate the established heat transfer and meteorological theories to describe buoyant plume flow; (2) develop a proposed equation for plume flow based on these theories, and; (3) evaluate the proposed equation, as well as those recommended by Hemeon and the ACGIH, through comparisons with collected laboratory and field data.; Since the volumetric flow (Q) cannot be measured directly in experiments or the field, a stepwise methodology for attaining the flow is described in the research. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)
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