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How Much Combustible Gas is Released From Laser Engraving

Is laser engraving releasing dangerous combustible gases?

Explanation of gases released by laser engraving.

Combustible gas release from laser engraving is extremely minuscule. When materials are engraved with a laser, they emit combustion products. These consist largely of simple carbon smoke and debris. Gases are also produced; typical combustion gas products for some common engraving materials are shown below.

The values are provided in parts per million in the air drawn off the engraving area, except for CO2, expressed in percent.

Material HCN NO2 CO CO2 HOCH CoCl2 Styrene
Marble -- -- 25 0.25% -- -- --
Stained Wood 45 >30 >500 0.3% -- -- --
Pressboard >60 -- >50 0.5% >5 -- 12
Engraver's Plastic -- -- 25 -- >5 -- 5
Engraver's Plastic w/Foil -- -- >5 -- 3 0.1 >25
Lexan Polycarbonate -- -- >50 -- 2 -- --
Lucite Acrylic -- -- 5 -- >5 -- --
Oil-Dyed Cowhide >60 -- >500 0.25% -- -- 20

The total volume of engraving products produced (solids and gases together) may be determined by multiplying the engraved area by its depth. The weight may then be calculated by multiplying the volume by the density of the material engraved.

Example Emissions:

Particulates:

Premise: Engraving a wood plaque.

Dimensions: 5" x 7" x 5/8" = 21.88 in3

Weight: 0.83 lb

Density: 0.83lb/21.88 in3 = 0.038 lb/in3

Engraved Volume (estimate) = 4" x 6" x 0.020" => 0.35 in3

Particulate Volume = Engraved Volume = 0.35 in3

Particulate Weight = (0.038 lb/in3 )(0.35 in3) = 0.013 lb

Then, assuming 6240 plaques/year; 0.01 lb/plaque, total effluvient weight is (6240)(0.013) = 81 lb./year = 0.041 tons/year.

Gases:

Premises: Wood Plaques. Air exhaust at 76 CFM. Engraving 5 days/week, 52 weeks/year, 8 hours/day.

Total Time = 5 x 52 x 8 x 60 = 124,800 minutes

Total Gas Effluent (Air + Combustion Products) = (124,800 min)(76 ft3/min) = 9,484,800 ft3

Then,

  • NO2 @ 30 ppm => (9.484800)(30) = 284.5 ft3/year
  • CO @ 500 ppm => (9.484800)(500) = 4742.4 ft3/year
  • CO2 @ 500 ppm => (9,484,800)(.003) = 28,454.4 ft3/year
  • Others @ 60 ppm => (9.484800)(60) = 569.1 ft3/year

 

 

If further assistance is required, please contact Epilog Laser Technical Support by phone at 303-215-9171, or by email at tech@epiloglaser.com.