Skip to Main Content
 

Global Search Box

 
 
 
 

Files

File List


36703.pdf (4.41 MB)

ETD Abstract Container

Abstract Header

Assessing Particulate and Chemical Emissions from Additive Manufacturing Processes

Gander, Nathan
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1595848332301779

Abstract Details

2020, MS, University of Cincinnati, Medicine: Industrial Hygiene (Environmental Health).
Additive manufacturing (AM) has been increasingly used over the past decades. Emissions of fine particles and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from AM processes have been associated with adverse health effects. In this study, we compared the particulate and chemical emissions from five different types of AM printers, from two different labs, within the studied facility. Fine particle-counting instruments and VOC-detectors were utilized to compare the pollutant concentrations at the background level to those measured during the time periods when the desktop extruders and plastic printers were operating. The control measures were implemented, respectfully, throughout the duration of the printing process (HEPA air cleaners or local exhaust ventilation). The experiment in the Teaching Lab involved studying 20 desktop extruders running simultaneously, whereas the experiment in the Plastic Printing Lab involved studying stereolithography (SLA) printers, fused deposition modeling (FDM) printers, Polyjet printers, and a Projet printer. The concentrations of fine particles and VOCs were compared for each printer in the following manner: background phase vs. printing phase and printing phase without the control vs. printing phase with the control. The results showed that VOC concentrations measured with a PPBRae ranged from 0 to 4500 ppb. In most processes (except SLA), the concentrations increased during the printing phase. On average, a 1.5-fold increase was observed in the concentrations of VOCs emitted from the plastic printers, except for the SLA printers. When the HEPA air cleaners were utilized in the Teaching lab at the LOW and HIGH setting, the VOC concentrations decreased by 2.1-fold and 2.6-fold, respectively. The implementation of controls did not decrease the VOC concentrations in the Plastic Printing Lab. The fine particle concentrations measured with a P-Trak ranged from 0 to 58000 particles/cc. In most processes (except Polyjet and Projet), the concentrations were higher during printing compared to the background. On average, a 1.4-fold increase was seen in the fine particle concentrations emitted from the SLA and FDM printers. When the HEPA air cleaners were deployed in the Teaching lab at the LOW and HIGH setting, the fine particle concentrations decreased by 2.8-fold and 4.4-fold, respectively. The implementation of the controls for reducing fine particle concentrations from the Polyjet and Projet printers in the Plastic Printing Lab was successful. The local exhaust ventilation for the Polyjet was most effective during the post-printing phases, whereas the activated carbon filter for the Projet was most effective during all three phases of the printing process. In summary, the concentrations increased during the printing phase in most processes (except SLA). The results obtained in the Teaching Lab confirmed that the HEPA air cleaners were effective in reducing the concentrations of fine particles and VOCs. However, results obtained in the Plastic Printing Lab demonstrated that although implementation of the control reduced concentrations of fine particles, a similar effect was not seen with VOC concentrations. Therefore, the local exhaust ventilation seems to be more effective in reducing concentrations of fine particles than VOCs.
Tiina Reponen, Ph.D. (Committee Chair)
Sergey Grinshpun, Ph.D. (Committee Member)
60 p.
Environmental Health
3-D printing; additive manufacturing; volatile organic compounds; fine particles; control measures; ventilation

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Gander, N. (2020). Assessing Particulate and Chemical Emissions from Additive Manufacturing Processes [Master's thesis, University of Cincinnati]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1595848332301779

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Gander, Nathan. Assessing Particulate and Chemical Emissions from Additive Manufacturing Processes. 2020. University of Cincinnati, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1595848332301779.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Gander, Nathan. "Assessing Particulate and Chemical Emissions from Additive Manufacturing Processes." Master's thesis, University of Cincinnati, 2020. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1595848332301779

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

ucin1595848332301779
144
© 2020, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by University of Cincinnati and OhioLINK.