Hoods
Fume control, when it matters most.
For more than 50 years, Viron's custom exhaust hoods have captured corrosive vapors right at the source—engineered for your specific process and built to integrate seamlessly with your complete air cleaning system.
Standard designs that work, or custom shapes that fit perfectly. Up-vented, down-vented, or side-mounted configurations in materials that won't corrode or crack under pressure.
Frequently Asked Questions
What hood features help prevent drips and contamination in plating operations?
Chrome hoods include integrated drip pans and drip aprons that capture condensation and prevent liquids from dripping back into your plating bath. The hood has a sloped bottom for drainage back to the tank, ensuring captured liquids return to the process rather than contaminating your work area. Adjustable slots allow airflow control for different operating conditions. These features are standard in PVC or FRP construction for chemical resistance. The removable polypropylene mesh pad makes maintenance more accessible without complete hood disassembly.
What is the polypropylene mesh pad in a chrome hood, and why is it removable?
The removable polypropylene mesh pad captures chrome mist before it enters your ductwork system. For chrome plating applications, these knitted mesh pads are designed to meet California's stringent hexavalent chrome emission requirements. The mesh pad can withstand the corrosion of chromic acid equal to or greater than that found in hard chrome baths. Removable design allows you to clean or replace pads during maintenance.
Viron's mesh pads maintain mechanical strength even when nearly filled with chrome buildup, which is important when routine maintenance schedules are delayed.
How does the optional spray header work in a chrome hood?
Optional removable spray headers spray the mist eliminator pads to prevent chrome buildup and clogging. Spray nozzles are sized for a range of 0.25 to 1 GPM per square foot of mist eliminator pads. The spray header is manufactured from Schedule 80 PVC pipe and includes a Schedule 80 true union that facilitates removal and maintenance of spray nozzles without shutting down the system. The spray washdown helps maintain capture efficiency by keeping pads clear. For recommended pad washdown schedules, consult the factory for your specific application.
What does the blind flange on a chrome hood do?
The blind flange provides access for future instrumentation, monitoring equipment, or connections without requiring hood modifications. It's a capped opening built into the hood during fabrication. Blind flanges allow you to add measurement devices, sampling ports, or other accessories as your process requirements evolve. This standard feature provides flexibility for system upgrades without structural changes to the hood.
What are the standard material options for Viron exhaust hoods?
Viron fabricates hoods in PVC or FRP construction. PVC hoods use chemical resistant PVC material (Type I Grade I, Class 12454-B ASTM D-1784). FRP hoods use chemical resistant FRP material with a 10-20 mil veil liner followed by an 80 mil chopped corrosion liner, covered with a structural layer of FRP and UV inhibited gel coat. Both materials provide corrosion resistance for plating, etching, and chemical processing applications. Material selection depends on your specific process chemistry and operating conditions.