Assessment of side exhaust systems for residential kitchens in Taiwan

In response to concerns about the health of housewives who are regularly exposed to excessive quantities of air pollutants when cooking, a number of domestic documents have recommended solutions such as: ‘decreasing the installation height of the range hoods’ or ‘using desk-top ventilators’. However, few if any studies have addressed the issue of how to make improvements to the traditional Taiwanese style of range hood. This study investigated the design and experimental assessment of side exhaust systems in a full-scale model kitchen. Tests were carried out to understand how different exhaust configurations could affect the overall exhaust performance. It was found that single-slot, twin-slot, and fence-slot exhausts close to the pot rims performed well in air exhalation, and ensured the indoor air quality in the kitchen was maintained an acceptable level. Practical application: That innovative side-sucking exhausts, installed closer to the pot rim in the residential kitchens, considered the pathway of the aerosol and made improvements to the traditional style of range hood. The proposed prototypes ensured that the indoor air quality in the kitchen was maintained at an acceptable level.