Chemical smoke extractors, also known as fume hoods, are used in laboratories to protect researchers from potentially harmful chemical fumes and vapors. There are several types of chemical smoke extractors, each with its own unique features and capabilities.
One type of chemical smoke extractor is the ducted fume hood. This type of hood is connected to a ventilation system that removes fumes and vapors from the hood and expels them outside of the building. Ducted fume hoods are highly effective at removing harmful chemicals from the air, but they require installation and maintenance of the ventilation system. Additionally, they can be expensive to operate and can pose a fire risk if not properly maintained.
Another type of chemical smoke extractor is the recirculating fume hood. Unlike ducted fume hoods, recirculating hoods do not require installation of a ventilation system. Instead, they use filters to clean the air and recirculate it back into the laboratory. Recirculating fume hoods are more energy-efficient than ducted hoods, but they may not be as effective at removing all types of chemicals from the air. They also require regular replacement of filters to maintain their effectiveness.
A third type of chemical smoke extractor is the canopy hood. Canopy hoods are typically used in industrial settings, where large pieces of equipment emit fumes and vapors. Canopy hoods are designed to capture these emissions before they escape into the environment. chemical fume extractor.They are typically placed directly over the equipment and use a powerful ventilation system to remove the fumes and vapors from the air.
Finally, there are specialty chemical smoke extractors that are designed for specific applications. For example, acid digest hoods are used to contain and exhaust highly corrosive fumes that are generated during chemical digestion processes. These hoods are typically made from highly-resistant materials such as polypropylene and fiberglass, and are equipped with specialized ventilation systems that can handle highly corrosive chemicals.
In summary, chemical smoke extractors come in a variety of types, each with its own strengths and weaknesses. Ducted fume hoods are highly effective at removing fumes and vapors, but can be expensive to operate and maintain. Recirculating fume hoods are more energy-efficient, but may not be as effective at removing all types of chemicals. Canopy hoods are designed for use in industrial settings, and specialty hoods are designed for specific applications. When selecting a chemical smoke extractor, it is important to consider the specific needs of the laboratory and to choose a hood that is well-suited to those needs.