Ventilation and Particulate Matter Removal System

An apparatus for removing particulate matter from an enclosure having an internal space and an opening into the internal space, comprising:

• a cover positionable adjacent the opening so that the cover covers the opening;
• a gas source external to the internal space;
• an inlet conduit that, in use, extends through a first port in the cover and is configured to direct gas from the gas source to a gas outlet within the internal space whereby particulate matter within the internal space is dislodged and entrained in gas within the internal space;
• and
• in a remaining part of the apparatus, a blower that in use draws gas and particulate matter entrained therein from the internal space through a second port and through an outlet conduit extending from the second port to a particulate matter separator that separates particulate matter from the gas, the gas then being drawn into an inlet of the blower;
• wherein:
• the particulate matter separator includes at least one filter;
• the cover has a plurality of ports from which plurality a user may select any one port to then become the first port;
• the inlet conduit includes an elongate lance having a first portion that includes the gas outlet and that the user in a workspace outside the enclosure can insert through the selected first port in the cover so that the gas outlet enters the internal space, the lance further having a second portion that remains outside the internal space and that is configured for manipulation by the user firstly to actuate gas flow into the lance, secondly to move the gas outlet within the internal space, and thirdly to withdraw the lance from the first port for insertion into a further one of the ports;
• the apparatus further comprises an instrumentation and control system having a data processing capability and sensors configured and so located in the apparatus as to enable sensing of parameters relating to operation of both the lance and the remaining part of the apparatus, the sensed parameters including particulate concentration in gas in at least one of firstly the internal space and secondly the outlet conduit;
• the instrumentation and control system comprises on the second portion of the lance a visible display configured for displaying to the user values of at least one of the sensed parameters, and indications of the status of the apparatus;
• the instrumentation and control system further comprises on the second portion of the lance a manual input device for entry by the user of commands to the apparatus that are additional to actuation of gas flow into the lance;
• and
• the lance and the remaining part of the apparatus being in communication with each other to enable passage of data between the lance and the remaining part of the apparatus.