Determination of emission of iron oxides from the welding process on the basis of mathematical models

Abstract

Oxygen in metals is most often present in the form of oxides, including: FeO, Fe2O3, Fe3O4. The complexity of the welding process means that oxygen compounds can enter both the liquid metal and the atmosphere, causing negative effects. A welder is exposed to harmful emission of oxides entering the human body through the respiratory system or pores in the skin. The essence of the problem is so serious that standards for air purity and determination of amount of oxides at workplaces have been introduced. The article presents the results of research on the influence of the welding current intensity on the emission of air pollutants (in particular the emission of iron oxides) of the inhalable and respirable fractions. The bench tests were carried out on the basis of the applicable standards for air quality at welding stations. Based on the test results, on the basis of the R program, mathematical models of the emission of iron oxides generated during the welding process were developed. It was observed that with the increase of the welding current, the average value of the emission of iron oxides – both the inhalable and respirable fractions – increases. For both fractions, it was also noted that the model values ​​are closer to the values measured in the model No. 1.

Keywords

• welding smoke
• respirable fraction
• inhalable fraction
• iron oxide