Multiple conservation stations
The laboratory needed to support several work positions rather than place one independent extractor at every station.
Application case · Central Asia
Central Dust & Fume Extraction System for a National Museum Conservation Laboratory
A centralized source-capture concept combining multiple conservation workstations, fixed articulated extraction arms, laboratory ducting and configurable downstream treatment.
Introduction
From stand-alone extraction to laboratory-scale source capture
A national museum conservation facility in Central Asia was evaluating two ways to control dust, fumes and other airborne contaminants generated during conservation work: mobile extraction units and a fixed articulated or flexible extraction-arm system.
At the initial stage, the actual materials, conservation processes and contaminant types were not fully defined. Sinoalta therefore did not force the project into one fixed product, but outlined different application routes according to the expected workload and source intensity.
For the higher-workload conservation area, the second route used a central extraction system serving multiple workstations through ceiling- or wall-mounted articulated arms, with optional downdraft capture at the work surface.
Project context
Extraction had to extend across multiple conservation workstations
The concept shifted the focus from separate mobile units to a coordinated laboratory layout: capture contaminants near where they are generated, connect multiple capture points to a central exhaust path, and determine the final filtration or exhaust treatment only after the real processes and discharge requirements are confirmed.
This is a system-configuration and planning case. The available evidence does not support describing it as installed, commissioned, accepted or performance-tested.
Challenge
Planning the extraction path before contaminant types were finalized
Flexible source capture
Capture hoods had to adjust to different object sizes, treatment zones and operator positions.
Central exhaust route
Multiple capture points needed to feed a coordinated central path instead of operating in isolation.
Downstream treatment to be confirmed
Because materials and processes were not yet fully defined, filtration efficiency and downstream treatment could not be fixed at concept stage.
Sinoalta approach
Multi-point source capture organized around the conservation workflow
For higher-load applications, the second route combined conservation workstations with fixed ceiling- or wall-mounted articulated extraction arms. Transparent hoods could move close to the treatment area while preserving usable space on the main work surface.
System architecture
Source capture → central extraction → project-defined downstream treatment
The articulated arms use an aluminium-alloy structure and can be configured with 50–110 mm internal-diameter connections and heat-resistant transparent PC hoods. Hood dimensions can be adjusted to the treatment zone, and multiple points then connect to a centralized exhaust path.
The central treatment method must be confirmed from the contaminants generated, laboratory workload and local discharge requirements rather than assuming one fixed filter combination for every project.
- System type
- Central local exhaust / source-capture system
- Workstation format
- Configurable conservation workstations for multiple operators
- Arm mounting
- Ceiling-mounted or wall-mounted
- Arm structure
- Aluminium-alloy articulated assemblies
- Connection diameter
- 50–110 mm, configurable
- Capture hood
- Transparent PC hood, configurable size
- Worktop extraction
- Optional perforated downdraft zone
- Configuration basis
- Actual process, materials, room layout and discharge requirements
Workstation configuration
Overhead articulated hoods with optional downdraft work surfaces
Where particles are generated directly at the work surface, an optional perforated downdraft zone can add a second capture direction from below the object and complement the adjustable hood above.
Design outcome
An extraction route that can scale to a multi-station conservation laboratory
The concept established a route that can expand from individual source-capture points to a laboratory-scale central extraction system. Ceiling- or wall-mounted points can follow the actual workflow, with optional downdraft capture where particles are generated at the worktop.
Final airflow balancing, central treatment and discharge arrangements still require technical confirmation after the conservation process and facility conditions are defined.
Engineering note
Final airflow and filtration must follow the real process
The original project material included reference extraction capacities and equipment values, while also stating that filtration technology and efficiency should be determined from laboratory throughput and discharge requirements.
This case therefore does not present one airflow value, motor power, noise level or filter life as guaranteed performance for the complete central system. Those values belong to preliminary selection and must be confirmed against room layout, number of capture points, contaminant type and operating conditions.
What this case demonstrates
Extraction design should start with the process, not the extractor.
Museum conservation laboratories generate different contaminants according to the materials and treatments involved. Effective extraction begins by defining where contaminants arise, how operators work around objects, how many stations require simultaneous capture, and how the extracted air will ultimately be treated or discharged.
Define the conservation process first, then configure source capture, airflow and downstream treatment for the real working environment.
Project fit and related systems
Related solutions
Collection Dust, Mold & DecontaminationArchive Cleaning & Extraction Planning Guide
Related applications
Source captureCentral local exhaustConservation dust controlOptional downdraft
Institution users
MuseumsConservation laboratoriesArchivesCultural heritage institutions