The mist engine, fog generator , or smoke machine is a device that emits solid fumes that look similar to fog or smoke. This artificial fog is most commonly used in professional entertainment applications, but smaller, more affordable fog machines are becoming common for personal use. Fog machines can also be found used in various industries, training, and some military applications. Typically, fogs are created by evaporating exclusive water and glycol based or liquid-based glycol or through mineralized mineralized mineralization. This fluid (often called colloquially as fog juice ) evaporates or sprays inside the fog machine. Upon exiting the mist engine and mixing with the cooler outside air, the steam condenses, resulting in a visible thick fog.
Video Fog machine
Type
Heated
Heated fog machines use either an inert gas or an electric pump to drive mineral oil, glycols, or glycerin and a water mixture into a heat exchanger, where the solution is evaporated. The most common form of fog machine is the pumping machine. The most basic models of this type of machine consist of fluid reservoirs, electric pumps for fog fluid removal and liquid evaporating heat exchangers. More complex models may include many other features, including variable speed pumps to control fog output, timer modules, or components for remote operation and fog machine status monitoring. Some manufacturers have manufactured accessories and liquids which, when combined with a regular heating machine, creates a mist effect similar to a cold fog machine. Gas-driven fog machinery uses inert gas (most common CO 2 or nitrogen) to drive mineral oil or glycol based fluid into a heat exchanger where it is evaporated into particles, creating a mist. Some models of gas-driven fog machines provide control over fog output by varying the volume of gases used to drive fluids.
Chilled
The cold mist engine is designed to create a thick cloud of fog that lies close to the ground and disappears as they rise. They are usually made by using dry ice, liquid nitrogen, or recently liquid air.
Dry Ice effects (solid carbon dioxide) are produced by heating the water to or near the boil in the appropriate container (for example: a 55 gallon drum with a water heater coil inside it), and then falling in one or more pieces of dry ice. Because at standard temperatures and carbon dioxide pressures are gases, carbon dioxide sublimes and directly produces gas, condenses water vapor and creates a thick white fog. A fan is placed at the top of the container directing the fog where needed. Liquid nitrogen (N 2 ) is used to create a low fog effect in a manner similar to dry ice. An engine heats water at or near its boiling point, creating steam and increasing moisture in a sealed container. When liquid nitrogen is pumped into the container, the moisture rapidly condenses, creating a thick white mist. A fan placed at the output of the container directs the fog where necessary, creating a rolling fog that lies low to the ground. Liquid air is an alternative to using liquid nitrogen in producing a low fog effect. The liquid air comprises N 2 and O 2 mixes in a ratio of 79% nitrogen and 21% oxygen stored as liquid in isolated cylinders. The ratio of nitrogen to oxygen is the same as atmospheric air, and indeed liquid air can be made only by liquefying atmospheric air. Liquid air can be used as a direct replacement for liquid nitrogen in cold mist effect and is intended to be used in the same way in the same equipment. The main advantage of liquid nitrogen is that it does not contain the danger of asphyxia because it contains oxygen. The disadvantage is that it supports combustion, whereas liquid nitrogen inhibits burning.
Maps Fog machine
Usage
The fog machine's versatility makes them suitable for a wide range of applications: Fog is ready to help in creating a special mood or feeling for theater moments, and is often used in dramas, such as Dracula , A Christmas Carol > and Macbeth . Fog machines are also often used in Halloween displays such as haunted or forest houses. Due to greater availability and price reductions between 2003 and 2005, fog machines have been widely used for domestic Halloween presentations. Fog machines are also useful for industrial applications including visualizing airflow, highlighting such as tug on surfaces in wind tunnels or testing for leaks or effectiveness of filters in an air conditioning installation. Emergency and military services also use fog machines in their training regimen. Due to the reflective and biased quality of the smoke created by mist engines, they are often used in nightclubs and other entertainment venues to enhance lighting effects and laser settings, even though they are replaced by fog machines (see also light). Several companies in Europe and Canada have developed a fast fog deployment machine for use as an intrusion and retaining security system, intended to confuse intruders by filling the room with fog when triggered by panic buttons or other security devices. These Smoke Security Tools can produce between 300 and 1,000 cubic meters of smoke in 30 seconds and have been used in various industries, including buildings that require high levels of security, such as banks and jewelry, but also warehouses, offices, retail places and in chains handling of cash. Concern has been raised that this device could cause criminals to panic, causing them to be violent to customers or staff, but Security Smoke now has its own European Standards EN-8 specifically stating that it should not be installed that way. to create a mantrap.
Industrial use
Ultra Low Volume (UNLV) fogging is used by industrial pest control and cleaning companies. UNLV refers to the droplet size (between 20-30 micrometers) generated by this mist engine. This fine droplet size is known as the optimal size for pest control. Traditional thermal fog machine technology has difficulty reaching crawling pests such as cockroaches, ticks and rodents because the droplet size is too fine (less than 10 micrometers). It is often found that small droplets are blocked by "air curtains" of insects and rodents. Cold Fogging, on the other hand, is heavy enough to pierce this "air curtain" and is light enough to be distributed evenly in the room.
Adverse health effects
The resulting atmospheric effects using water and dry ice or liquid nitrogen may produce shortness of breath or respiratory hazard. Carbon dioxide and nitrogen replace the normal air and oxygen it contains, creating the risk of fine anoxia (lack of oxygen) for people working in this atmosphere. Adequate ventilation is essential to ensure that artists and technicians are surrounded by breathing air. Carbon dioxide has the added danger of disrupting the normal breathing reflex, which is sensitive to carbon dioxide levels in the air. Nitrogen does not affect the respiratory reflex, but this creates its own danger because someone who inhales pure nitrogen can lose consciousness because of lack of oxygen without warning signs.
Fog produced with liquid air does not present the danger of carbon dioxide or liquid nitrogen because liquid air has the same composition as ordinary atmospheric air (including the same oxygen level).
Fog machines that produce the effect of using only water, such as ultrasonic or pressurized technology, do not pose any special health risks, but it should be noted that "water-based" mist fluid contains glycols.
A number of studies have been published on the potential health effects presented by glycol-based theater mist exposure and artificial haze.
Two studies, Health Hazard Evaluation were completed in 1994 by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, and another in 2000 by the Department of Community and Preventive Medicine at Mount Sinai School of Medicine and ENVIRON; both prepared for Actors Equity and League of American Theaters and Producers, focusing on the effects on actors and players in Broadway musicals. The conclusion from both studies is that there is irritation of mucous membranes such as the eyes and respiratory tract associated with extended peak exposure to theater mist. The exposure guidelines described in a 2000 study which, determined, should prevent actors from adversely affecting their health or vocal abilities.
Another study focuses on the use of theater mist in the commercial aviation industry for emergency staff training in simulated fire conditions. The study also found eye irritation and respiratory tract.
In May 2005, a study published in the American Journal of Industrial Medicine, conducted by the School of Environment and Health at the University of British Columbia, saw adverse respiratory effects on crew members in various entertainment venues ranging from live theater, concert, television and production movies to the video arcade. The study determined that cumulative exposure to mineral oil and glycol based fog was associated with acute and chronic side effects on respiratory health. The study found that short-term exposure to glycol fog was associated with cough, dry throat, headache, dizziness, drowsiness, and fatigue. The study also found long-term exposure to smoke and fog was associated with short-term and long-term breathing problems such as chest tightness and wheezing. Personnel working closest to the fog machine have reduced the lung function.
The Professional Lighting and Sound Association has set the standard for theatrical fog or artificial fog composition for use in entertainment venues that are "unlikely to be harmful to players, technicians, or members of a healthy normal working age audience of 18 to 64. years, inclusive. "This standard is based primarily (though not exclusively) on the report findings assigned to them by the Cohen Group and applies only to the composition of mist fluid comprising a mixture of water and glycol (called" water-based "mist fluid). ).
Short-term exposure to glycol fog can be associated with headaches, dizziness, drowsiness and fatigue. Long-term exposure to smoke and fog may be associated with upper airway and sound symptoms. Extended (multi-year) exposure to smoke and fog has been associated with short-term and long-term respiratory health issues. Efforts should be made to reduce the smoke exposure of the theater to the lowest possible level. The use of digital effects in post-production on film and television sets can be considered a safer practice than using smoke and theater fog during filming, although this is not always practical.
Fog Machine
Fog machines, also called fog generators or hazers, produce atmospheric effects (fog) that tend to be less dense than fog machines, allowing them to be used in creating a smoother appearance. Depending on the vents of the place or location, this mist can stay in the air for hours. Because of the small particle size of the output of hazers, below 5 micrometers, a hazer usually takes longer to fill the same volume of space as the effect seen relative to the fog machine.
See also
- Dry ice
- Fog Machine
- Theater smoke and fog
References
External links
- [1] NIOSH 1994 report on theater smoke at Broadway Productions
- tejan for home services
- [2] Articles check the pros and cons of Fog machines as security devices.
- [3] Technical report from the University of British Columbia School of Environmental and Health about special effects of smoke and fog]
- [4] Master's Thesis on the Impact of Respiratory Health in the Entertainment Industry from Exposure to Smiles and theatrical Haze.
Source of the article : Wikipedia
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