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88 SMT Magazine • March 2016 able. In terms of energy, they are only profit- able if the combustion process is stable and runs without additional power supply. Catalytic pro- cesses represent an intermediate stage. They al- ways require a constant contaminant mixture. Overall, sorbents provide a better flexibility but need a strict obedience to organisational mea- sures or change intervals. Pollutant capturing Quality of pollutant collection is the linch- pin of extraction and filtration technology. Ba- sically, the appropriate capturing element can deliver a substantial contribution to the qual- ity of the extraction and filtration device. The degree of capture rate forms the basis for sub- sequent high-grade filtration, finally providing high overall efficiency and low residue in the returned clean air. In particular, capture at the source of the pollution generation is of criti- cal importance. A general rule says that twice the distance between emission source and capturing element requires four times the exhaust performance in the extraction and filter system. That gives an exponential conclusion to the energy requirement—in times of en- ergy conversation a remarkable aspect. Extraction and Filtration: Foremost Self-protection Extraction and filtration systems have their unquestioned positions in many companies—in manual work- places, in automated and semi-auto- mated production lines. Occupational health and safety (OH&S) protection in electronics manufacturing companies as well as in laboratories has gained importance in recent decades, because the impact of airborne pollutants on employees, machines and products has a critical influence on production and profitability. The maintenance of pro - duction equipment, accuracy of prod- uct quality and functionality, as well as OH&S measures can generate high costs. It should be the goal of any company, which produces high-quality goods, to minimize these costs. The most suitable extrac- tion and filtration system will help. SmT references 1. VDMA Luftfilterinformation (2015-02), VDMA, Allgemeine Lufttechnik, February 2015. 2. Grundlagen der Filtertechnik. Luftfilter- bau GmbH, V2.4, 5/2012. Stefan meissner is the head of corporate communications at UlT AG. fIltratIon tEChnology Figure 5: Impact of the extraction rate on efficiency. (Source: VDMA)