Efficient Removal of Welding Fumes in Guyana: Design and Computational Fluid Dynamics Approach

The primary objective was to optimize air quality, with a particular emphasis on the efficient removal of welding fumes, which was fundamental to the safety and well-being of workers functioning in this challenging environment. The fumes emitted from welding are complex because it is made up of different metals, the configuration and the rate at which the welding fumes are generated depend on the type of electrode and coating, the metal components to be welded, the temperature and current of the welding unit, the technique used in the welding process and the skill level of the welder. Arc welding results in harmful fumes being emitted where welders are exposed to dangerous metallic gases and fumes for 6 to 8 hours daily at INFAB welding company in Guyana. This paper presents a design of a fume extraction system, the design incorporates workspace dimensions, volume calculations, duct materials required, framework materials, airflow requirements, and fan selection, guided by a target of 6 air changes per hour (ACH). In addition, the calculated required airflow rate of 58,500 ft³/h ensures the selection of appropriate fans. Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations were employed to analyse velocity and pressure distribution, offering valuable insights into airflow patterns and pressure variations. The observation of well-behaved fluid behavior and consistent pressure distributions indicates that the design effectively controls the flow of welding fumes. This contributes to improved air quality and the removal of harmful contaminants from the workspace. The simulations provided valuable insights into airflow patterns and pressure variations, contributing to the optimisation of the fumes extraction system's performance. Importantly, the holistic approach outlined in this paper sets a foundation for enhancing occupational health and safety in welding workshops.