Application of an Air Curtain-Exhaust System at a Multiple Opening Veneering Press

An air curtain-exhaust ventilation system was investigated as an effective control for formaldehyde exposures from a wood panel veneering press. The investigated system consisted of two air curtain manifolds located vertically at both press sides and an exhaust located at the press end opposite to the manifolds. This air curtain creates an air barrier between the worker and the press from where the formaldehyde is emitted. The air curtain stream is shifted toward the press wall by the exhaust, creating a narrow air zone between the worker and the press wall which minimizes the air streamsapos; interference with the operator. The performance of the air curtain system was evaluated using sulfur hexafluoride as a tracer gas which simulated formaldehyde emission. The data indicate that a greater than 94 percent reduction in exposure levels can be achieved and that the ventilation system studied can be applied effectively to a multiple opening press.