3D-Modeling of the Distribution of Welding Aerosol Nano- and Microparticles in the Working Area

Abstract

The first results of the research of the distribution of welding aerosol nano- and microparticles in the working area based on substance and morphological analysis are presented in the paper. A 3D-model of the welding aerosol cloud demonstrating the distribution of nano- and microparticles in the working area of the welder was created using the granulometric data of the samples. The most dangerous area with maximum density of nano- and microparticles of welding fumes was singled out: 1.3 m in height and 5 meters in all directions.Welding aerosol is a disperse system in which the solid component of the welding aerosol (SCWA) acts as the phase, and the mixture of gases (gaseous component of welding aerosol, or GCWA) – as the medium. SCWA stays suspended in the air for a long time spreading far beyond the working area of a welder [1].The aim of this work was to create a 3D-model of a welding aerosol cloud, demonstrating the spread of nano- and microparticles of welding aerosol in the working area of a welder. The 3D model was created using granulometric data of samples collected by the author’s method.

Characterization of fume particles generated during arc welding with various covered electrodes

“…In contrast, when electrodes with basic and rutile-cellulose types of coverings are used, the dispersion of particles of the РМ 10 fraction within the space of the work zone is uneven (Fig. 3b,d ) 23 , 24 . This can be explained by the different intensity of metal vaporization that results from the variableness of the combustible component of the welding vapor that is forming 1 , 16 .…”

“…Figure 3 shows 3D models of РМ 10 particle distribution of within the workspace when the applied amperage is 150 А and use of various types of covered electrodes. 3D models with applied amperage of 100 А were presented in previous studies 23 , 24 . These models represent the percentage of particles of РМ 10 fraction of the total amount of WF at different points of the workspace.…”

“…In Table 3 , geometrical types of 3D models (↑H axis) are reported in relevance with the types of covered electrodes and the values of amperage applied 23 , 24 . It should be noted that the amplitudes of dispersion of WFs at the floor line (↓S, ← W, → E) are proportional to their dispersion geometry along the height (↑H) (Fig.…”

“…1 ). This type of evaluation method has been applied previously 23 , 24 .

Figure 1 Sampling methods for the WF within the space of the working zone.

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Assessment of negative influence of manganese in welding fumes on welder's health and ways to reduce it

“…They can be described as a disperse system in which the disperse phase is formed by small solid particles (welding fumes solid-state component), and the disperse medium is formed by gas mixture (welding fumes gaseous component). Welding fumes solid-state component is especially hazardous not only due to its toxic level, but also due to microscopic dust particles with low sedimentation rate (no more than 0.08m/s), and are equally distributed in the airspace at the breathing level in a radius of 5 m, inevitably getting into the body of the welder or any human nearby [6,7].…”