The filters in a spray booth perform different but complementary tasks. Some of them, called External Air Filters or Pre-Filters, are used to eliminate coarse impurities in the air that could cause painting defects.
There are also the Exhaust Filters, which are designed to clean the work environment of processing residues and safeguard the health and safety of operators.
Finally, there are the Activated Carbon Filters, which are responsible for breaking down the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) present in paints and solvents, the main cause of odors outside paint shops.
Whatever the material used for these filters and their design, the filters in a paint booth are subject to deterioration and wear; therefore, they need to be periodically checked and replaced if necessary.
External Air Filters are a kind of pre-filter and the first barrier against larger particles in the air entering the spray booth. They are usually pocket filter frames in order to increase the filtering surface area and minimize pressure drops.
As they represent the first barrier, they are the first element to check when problems arise in the spray booth, such as excessive amounts of air, or lack of air or painting defects.
Air Inlet Filters are used to break down even the smallest particles, even smaller than 10 microns in diameter, which could cause paint defects. In vertical flow spray booths, they are also called Sky Filter and are usually in the form of panels with a perimeter frame.
Ejection Filters are used to remove the solid part of the overspray within the working environment, protecting the health of the operators. They can come in a wide variety of shapes and materials depending on the plant and type of processing.
Finally, for particular locations or where required by local authorities, Active Carbon Filters may be necessary to drastically limit the emission of the organic molecules of the solvent into the atmosphere.
There is no single answer as to when to change spray booth filters: because the conditions of use can be extremely variable and compliance with current air filtration regulations depends on this.
However, by scrupulously adhering to the user manual that we supply with the paint spray booth, the original filter manufacturer’s indications, and the periodic measurements that can be carried out with the appropriate control and measurement systems by USI ITALIA technicians, you can avoid problems with the quality of the painting work and guarantee the health of the operators and the environment. The original filters by the manufacturer are for the user a further guarantee of unaltered performance of the system itself.
Generally speaking, there are certain signs that may indicate that it is time to change the filters:
- When the booth shows an uncontrolled increase in working pressures (check the floor filters, the exhaust filters, and possibly that the protection grille on the exhaust terminal is not obstructed by paint residues or anything else).
- When the air speed or flow is inadequate.
- When the sky filters show dark patches of color, or evident wear and tear, when they are damaged during ventilation, or when you feel that they have lost their moistness.
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