{"id":21747,"date":"2026-04-21T07:32:54","date_gmt":"2026-04-21T05:32:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.reven.de\/2026\/04\/21\/from-baffle-plate-to-flow-optimized-separator\/"},"modified":"2026-04-21T07:37:09","modified_gmt":"2026-04-21T05:37:09","slug":"from-baffle-plate-to-flow-optimized-separator","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.reven.de\/en\/2026\/04\/21\/from-baffle-plate-to-flow-optimized-separator\/","title":{"rendered":"From baffle plate to flow-optimized separator"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

From simple baffle plates to flow-optimized separators. Many people talk about separators in ventilation technology. But how much development is really behind it? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In many projects, an aerosol separator still looks like a simple component. A bit of sheet metal, a few deflections, done. The main thing is that there is something in the hood. The main thing is that the issue seems to be resolved. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

But this is where the problem begins.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Because a simple baffle plate is by no means a good aerosol separator. Anyone who takes air pollution control seriously has to deal with much more: fire load, standards, flow, particle paths, surfaces, measurement technology and real separation efficiency. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Illustration<\/a>
Fig.: Primitive simple baffle plate separator with built-in “short circuit” <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

This is exactly what we talked about in our second REVEN \/ cci Webinar 2026.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


Why simple filters and primitive baffle plates are not enough<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Decades ago, simple knitted filters and simple baffle plates were the state of the art in commercial kitchen ventilation. The problem with this is that filters store grease and oil. This not only increases the pressure loss. It also increases the fire load. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"A<\/a>
Fig.: A knitted filter that is prohibited in commercial kitchen ventilation<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Such systems were precisely one of the reasons why the industry had to develop further.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The fire catastrophe at the MGM Grand Hotel in Las Vegas in 1980 was a turning point, after which there was a consistent response in North America. Filters largely disappeared from commercial kitchen ventilation systems and the focus shifted to separators. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"A<\/a>
Fig.: High fire load due to a filter fabric saturated with oil<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

In Germany and Europe, this development took much longer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


Standards help – but they don’t solve every problem<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Today it is clear that a ventilation system must not only capture and extract air. It must also be able to separate aerosols from the exhaust air flow. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is exactly what European standards have been demanding for years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nevertheless, the reality is often different.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Old knitted filters can still be found in existing systems. Combination separators are still being installed, which appear modern at first glance, but in practice have similar problems to classic filters: they store grease, they increase the pressure loss and they are difficult to clean. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The result is often sobering. The amount of air decreases, the collection is worse and the kitchen becomes smoky. <\/p>\n\n\n\n


What really happens in practice<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In the webinar, Holger Reul described very clearly what can be seen time and again in day-to-day business:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kitchen hoods with combination separators seem to work well at first. But as soon as grease and oil build up in the system, the resistance increases. The air performance drops. Collection deteriorates. Maintenance and complete cleaning become impossible. And this is precisely when it becomes apparent that a seemingly good system is actually reaching its limits. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Old-fashioned
Fig.: Old-fashioned combination filter from the front<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Old-fashioned
Fig.: Old-fashioned combination filter from behind<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

It is particularly critical where there is a lot of grilling, frying or deep-frying. In other words, exactly where high levels of stress occur. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The uncomfortable truth is therefore:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Not everything that looks like a separator actually separates aerosols efficiently from the exhaust air flow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


What modern aerosol separators need to do better<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

A modern aerosol separator must do more than just divert air. It must: <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n