Speaker: Don Fedyk
Proposing a New
Tracer Gas for Fume
Hood Testing
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Member, NEBB Board of Directors

Chairman, NEBB FHT Committee
MY DAY JOB
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Manager Air Filtration Management - NY
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Fume Hood Testing

Cleanroom Validation

Environmental Systems Testing/Balancing

Building System Commissioning

Sound & Vibration Testing
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The awareness by World Community of
the dangers of Climate Change has
created a new focus for our industry.
We are looking for new & innovative ideas
for energy conservation as well as
reducing the introduction of GREEN HOUSE
GASES.
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ESTABLISHMENT
OF A COMMITTEE
Development of ASHRAE RP-1573,
"Determination of suitable replacement for
SF6 when used as a tracer gas in accordance
with ANSI/ASHRAE Standard 110."
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FHT Program
The FHT Programs at NEBB and
ASHRAE are pursuing a tracer gas
that will not cause an environmental
“disaster” while allowing us to verify
the efficiency and safety of
laboratory and research enclosures
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What is NEBB?
Proven leader in providing
technical expertise for
Research and Technological
Environmental Systems.
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Providing the expertise to
attain the maximum
efficiency without
sacrificing safety in the
Built Environment
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NEBB’s Involvement
While FUME HOOD TESTING is one area of
involvement for NEBB, continued research and
development for the rapidly growing healthcare
industries will require the expertise available from all
our NEBB Certified Professionals (CP’s) and
Technicians (CT’s)
.
Besides providing a safer environment, we are
able to promote the competency of our
organization and provide a viable opportunity
for NEBB firms and CP’s
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Testing
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LABORATORIES
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FUME HOODS
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CLEANROOMS
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AN ENDLESS LIST OF HAZARDOUS
ENVIRONMENTS
Each requires a different set
of rules!
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Performance Evaluation
The performance of an exposure control
device is ultimately determined by its
ability to control exposure to within
applicable standards or other safe limits.
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Exposure Control Devices
There are numerous exposure control
devices including:
• Laboratory Fume Hoods
• Biological Safety Cabinets (BSC)
• Glove boxes
• Local exhaust hoods, and other
ventilated enclosures
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REALIZATION
TESTING IS FOR
SAFETY
PROVING THE CONTAINMENT
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ANSI/ASHRAE 110-1995
The purpose of this standard is to specify a
quantitative & qualitative test method for
evaluating the containment of a laboratory
fume hood.
This method of testing applies to
conventional, bypass, auxiliary air, and
VAV laboratory fume hoods.
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Meeting the Need!
NEBB is stepping up to meet the needs
in all AREAS.
Continuation and enhancement of the
training available not just for our CP’s and
CT’s but for the clients and future
customers to gain a better understanding
of the role NEBB can play.
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NEBB FHT Procedural Standard
Establish a uniform and systematic
set of criteria for the performance
testing of fume hoods.
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Task Analysis
Prior to the start of any project,
whether FHT, CPT, TAB, etc. a task
analysis should be performed.
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Collection of Information
Submittals
Test Requirements
Instrumentation
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Preparation for Testing
Verify Test Procedures
Acquisition of Instrumentation
Mobilization Strategy
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Task Analysis
Discipline Specific
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Fume Hood Performance
Testing
Verify System Type
Verify System Readiness
Establish Test Matrices
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FHT Velocity
Hot-wire Anemometer!
Test Setup
Evaluate Results
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Evaluation
Velocity is not an indicator of
containment.
Then why measure velocity?
It verifies the uniformity of the
intake as well as provides a
baseline for future evaluation.
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Instrumentation
Hot-wire Anemometer
One-second readings
Individual point readings
Data logging and
Averaging
Temperature
compensation
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FHT Visualization
Local Challenge
Evaluate Results
Major Challenge
Evaluate Results
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FHT Tracer Gas
Test Setup
Ejector
FHT Tracer Gas
Analyzer
Evaluate Results
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Instrumentation
Ejector
Specifications
ASHRAE 110 / NEBB FHT PS
Field Verification
Electronic flow meter / Bubble gauge
Placement
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Instrumentation
Analyzer
Instrument List
ASHRAE 110 / NEBB FHT PS
Field Verification
Instrument dependent
One-second data logging
downloadable to computer for
analysis and reporting
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Instrumentation
Analyzers
Instrumentation
Really low readings!
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Analyzer / Calibrator
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The Other Analyzer
Leak Meter
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Where does exhaust go?
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Where does exhaust go?
Through these!
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Fume Hood Testing
It is not just taking reading at the
fume hood
You have to understand the entire
system
Fans, Filters, Controls, Etc.
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NEBB
Continuing Education and Research
helps promote the knowledge and
invigorate the CP’s and CT’s to attain
…….
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Computer Modeling
A major tool in the development
of a more efficient laboratory as
well as for containment vessels.
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Plan View – Velocity Vectors (fpm)
Isometric Close-up – Velocity Vectors (fpm)
Isometric Close-up – SF6 Isosurfaces @ 0.05ppm
Summary of properties of FM200:
Molecular Weight:
Molecular Formula:
Boiling Point/Condensation:
Critical Temperature:
Vapor Pressure:
Specific Volume (ft3/lb):
Gas Density (lb/ft3):
170.04 g/mole
C3-H-F7
15.6C (3.9F)
101.6C (214.9F)
67 (PSIG)
18.9753
0.0527
Comparison of the spectra of FM200 and SF6
We finally had a chance to run the
Case B fume hood using FM200
gas. The molecular weight for FM200
is around 175 and SF6 is around 146,
therefore the FM200 will be about
20% more massive per liter of
gas. We used equivalent mass as the
injection rate not 4 LPM.
The FM200 concentrations are
more spread out in the hood
compared to SF6 even correcting
for mass. May what to reduce the
rate slightly more to achieve equal
challenge.
FM200_pathlines
N O_pathlines
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CaseB_shortperson_FM200_3Dview_isosurface
CaseB_shortperson_FM200_3Dview_isosurface2
CaseB_shortperson_FM200_3Dview_zoom_isosurface
CaseB_shortperson_FM200_full_side_Concentrations
CaseB_shortperson_FM200_zoom_side_Concentrations
CaseB_shortperson_FM200_zoom_side_velocity
CaseB_shortperson_FM200_zoom_side_vorticity
FM200_ppm_3-5ft
N2O_ppm_3-5ft
FM200_ppm_5ft
What have we
learned?
The CFD modeling indicates that the
secondary side wall vortex's do not trap
lighter gas equal to heavier than gas.
All our testing have been with the
heavier gas so switching to a lighter
gas reduces the tracer gas challenge.
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By using CFD modeling we
can determine exactly the
rate of heavier FM200 we will
need to = SF6. The added
benefit we will be using less
gas which is heavier.
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NEBB Disciplines
The constant changing technology
requires each of the NEBB CP’s and
CT’s to persistently pursue the
knowledge to maintain the
preeminence of the NEBB’s
Leadership Role in the Industry.
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Questions or
comments?
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