Powder Coating

CHALLENGE

This powder coating plant was experiencing very high temperatures throughout the plant. The e-coat line, powder coating line, and off-line areas in particular, were having some extreme heat issues.

During the free ventilation site survey Moffitt determined that the average roof temperature was 89.3°F when the ambient outdoor temperature was 63°F. This showed a total temperature rise of 26.3°F throughout the building. This of course was just the average. Several locations above the oven lines reach were reaching temperatures as high as 114°F.

DESIGN

The new design determined that natural ventilators above the high heat areas would exhaust the hot, stagnant air from the building. Additionally, new roof fans, installed at key areas, would provide extra exhaust power to remove the extra "stuck" heat.

The system would be completed with new wall fans to bring fresh supply air into the facility. This, in addition to existing fans, wall louvers, and bay doors, would ensure plenty of cool, fresh air was coming in to push out the hot, dirty air. Altogether, this solution makes for a powerful hybrid ventilation system that uses the natural convection of rising hot air along with powered supply air.

RESULTS

The new ventilation solution reduced temperature rise 14.2°F. This cut the temperatures above and around the oven lines in half. This marked a significant improvement that made an unbearable situation easier to manage.

Additionally, the new vents brought in a lot of additional light into the building as well, acting as a skylight to brighten up the previously dark interior. All in all, this new ventilation solution marked a huge change for this powder coating manufacturer.