Environmentally acceptable process and apparatus for ventilation of

Abstract

Organic vapor and particulate matter resulting from spray painting in continuous painting lines are separately collected and disposed of in a closed painting system that permits access for touch up. The painting line typically includes an automatic painting booth, a touch up booth, a flash off tunnel, and a curing oven, and a conveyer that conveys objects to be painted through the line in that order. The automatic painting booth recirculates air through a filter and through the booth to maintain proper painting conditions, and is tightly closed except for the conveyer entrance. The touch up booth has an opening through which workers have access to the painted objects, and through which a makeup flow of air is drawn to prevent particulate and organic compounds from escaping. The make up airflows to the automatic painting booth. A portion of the flow of organic-laden air is withdrawn from the automatic painting booth to maintain the air within the booth at a safe organic concentration level, and burned.