Air Quality

Air pollution has been one of Europe's main political concerns since the late 1970s. EU policy on air quality aims to develop and implement appropriate methods, such as the control of emissions, to protect human health and the environment.

To integrate this into Stadco Cooling's processes, when we reviewed our requirement for an in-house paint application it was imperative that it offered a clean and healthy environment.

The majority of refinishing paints contain organic solvent. When the paint dries, this solvent evaporates into the air. Solvents are part of a group of substances, called Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs).

The EU "Paints" Directive (2004/42/CE) has been introduced to limit emissions of VOCs due to the use of organic solvents in certain paints and varnishes and refinishing products.

The emission to air of VOCs can contribute to the generation of ozone at ground level, leading to urban smog and health problems, notably asthma.

This is why laws, such as the EU "Paints" Directive, are being introduced to limit emissions of VOCs and why industry is putting so much effort into the reduction of VOC emissions from coatings wherever technically and economically possible.

Our combined Spray and Cure facility has been designed as a dedicated booth for the preparation of skid mounted water cooling systems and the application of wet paint. This now provides the correct environment for application and containment of overspray that painting operations cause.

In order to meet the criteria the booth is ventilated with a rate of air movement which is capable of capturing waste materials and removing it from the working area. Air movement being downwards, this not only removes debris material from the operators working zone, but also draws any potential containment in the form of dried paint etc away from the processed parts.

Supply air is taken from outside of the building, being heated by a gas fired burner prior to entering the booth via roof mounted high efficiency filters within a plenum header. The supply air temperature varies according to the booth mode of operation. This air input is utilised within each of the booth's modes be it spraying, flash off or final cure. The temperature is variable up to 80oC and the time at the elevated temperature is pre-determined via a controlling timer.

Exhaust air is constantly drawn from the booth through a rear mounted exhaust plenum. The air being cleaned by a high efficient filter media prior to discharge to atmosphere via the exhaust fan and stack during spray mode and re-circulated during flash and cure mode. All filter medias used within the booth facility are low cost consumables being easily maintainable from inside the booth.

The high specification of the facility has given us the capability of producing painted cooling systems to a standard of finish normally associated with the automotive industry, as well as the knowledge of a reliable and robust built installation that complies with required Government legislation.