Experimental Investigation of the Effects of Parameters on CO2 and CO Emissions during FCAW of Structural Steel. Estimation and Evaluation of Environmental and Health Impacts

Abstract

Welding is one of the most preferred manufacturing methods in heavy industry and there are more than 1 million welders around the world. Gas metal arc welding is one of the most utilized welding processes and as a nature of this process, especially in welding of carbon steels, deleterious gases such as carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide are emitted. Not only do these gases harm worker's health but also affect the environment adversely. Although carbon dioxide, whose global warming potential is 1, may not be seen as a significant contributor to global climate change, this emission to air should be considered when large amounts are emitted through different sources such as heavy industry, manufacturing, transportation, and residential areas. Especially in developed countries, global climate change has been a great concern and the measures taken against greenhouse gases are increasing due to cumulative environmental impacts. In this study, experimental investigation of the effects of wire feed rate and shielding gas mixtures on CO2 and CO emissions in flux cored arc welding of low carbon steel has been realized and worldwide share of gas metal arc welding based CO2 emissions on global warming was estimated. In addition, health effects of CO2 and CO emissions were evaluated by comparing the recordings with NIOSH TWA and ceiling REL values.