Debbie Smith on thu 14 jun 01
Has anyone ever tried the Blue Diamond Freedom Vent? It's a kiln vent that
doesn't need to be vented outside. It sits on top of the kiln and supposedly
consumes odors and vapors by filtering them through a charcoal filter. They
advertise that it is effective and allows you to work in the studio while in
use. If anyone has one and has any information, please let me know. Thanks,
Debbie
Dave Finkelnburg on fri 15 jun 01
Debbie,
I have not used this Vent. I vent my electric kiln directly outdoors.
I do have some thoughts on this "indoor" vent.
I would ask two things. First, can this vent collect everything nasty
in kiln fumes, not just things with a detectable odor. Second, how do you
know when the filter is full and not collecting the nasties any more?
I think you can lump the nasty stuff in kiln fumes into three types.
Organic fumes (have carbon), other acid formers (sulfates, chlorides, NOx)
and heavy metals from the kiln fumes.
Organic fumes tend to smell, so you know they are around, and you don't
like them. The acid fumes make acid (sulfuric, hydrochloric, nitric) in
your nose and lungs and you don't like that either, because it's really bad
for you! The heavy metals don't have an odor I am aware of, but are also
bad for you. Of course, if you don't use any copper, cobalt, vanadium,
chrome, nickel etc. in your glazes you don't need to worry, and these don't
tend to evaporate until higher temperatures, so do be reasonable about your
concern.
Activated charcoal is a good filter for collecting organic material. Is
it as effective on heavy metals? How do you tell when the charcoal is
saturated and no longer picking up contaminants. Until you get good answers
to those questions, I'd spend the extra funds on a higher pressure drop
blower and a longer vent duct and push the kiln fumes all the way outside.
Yours for clean kiln rooms,
Dave Finkelnburg in Idaho
Debbie Smith on mon 25 jun 01
Has anyone bought the Blue Diamond Freedom Vent? I would like to know if you
were satisfied with this product. They advertise that this kiln vent needs
no outside vent. It sits on top of the kiln, plugs into a regular outlet,
and is suppose to filter out all vapors and other contaminants. Which allows
you to work in the studio while the kiln is on.
I would be interested in hearing from anyone who has tried this vent.
Thanks, Debbie
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