Saving Energy in Welding Workshops Without Deterioration of Air Quality

摘要

Electricity and energy costs for heating are major sources of expenditure in welding workshops. Solutions need to be found that won't negatively affect the existing air quality. In response, the Swedish State Power Board initiated a framework program, "Uppdrag 2000" (Mission 2000), for the purpose of promoting a more economical use of energy. Within, "Uppdrag 2000," a program has been created to study the possibilities of reducing energy consumption in welding workshops and in similar industry settings. A significant part of the energy used in these workshops is consumed by the ventilation systems. Electricity is used for heating and operating fan motors. Energy is lost with expelled warm air because of the lack or low efficiency of heat exchangers in the exhaust systems. In most workshops, the exhaust systems are turned on in the morning and left on throughout the day. The hazardous emissions occur, however, only during limited periods of time, (e. g., during welding and grinding). Welding operations take typically about 10-15% of work time at each workplace (Ref. 1).