One of the most important environments in all industrial and research facilities is the cleanroom. Due to the fact that the number and dimensions of suspended particles, as well as humidity, temperature, and pressure can be controlled in this environment, it is used in industries such as the production of electronic components, pharmaceuticals, military, aerospace, optics, camera manufacturing, and similar. In fact, many industries place their laboratories inside cleanrooms. This is because the presence of even the smallest contamination or suspended particle can disrupt the production of sensitive components or their testing. The equipment of cleanrooms are highly diverse and include various equipment such as air shower, air conditioner, backbox, doors and windows, filters, etc. In this article from the Ekeas group, join us to introduce all the important equipment of cleanrooms to you.
Cleanrooms have one of the most complex structures in industrial and laboratory environments. For this reason, many equipment are used in it. In fact, it is with the help of these equipment that one can prevent the entry of various suspended particles, pollutants, humidity and temperature changes, etc.
In general, three categories of equipment are used in cleanrooms, which differ greatly from each other in terms of performance and structure. In the first category, physical equipment such as doors, windows, exhaust fans, air showers, air handling units, electric dampers, fan filter units, etc. are placed. The next category is related to cleanroom filters, which have a very high variety.
Some of the most important filters used in cleanrooms include:
Another important category in cleanroom equipment is related to control parts. In this category, equipment such as various sensors of humidity, temperature, DPT pressure and humidity and humidity control parts are placed. The role of these sensors in controlling and monitoring the cleanroom is very important.
The function of control parts in cleanrooms is clear and should provide the possibility of precise monitoring of the conditions inside the environment. On the other hand, the filters used in cleanrooms also have a specific function and should prevent the entry of suspended particles and other types of pollutants into this environment. For this reason, most of the physical equipment of cleanrooms are used, and their use is ambiguous and should be familiar with them.
When entering a cleanroom, you must pass through chambers or corridors called air showers. Air showers prevent the entry of various pollutants, harmful suspended particles, and other materials into the cleanroom, and can be considered one of the most important equipment in this environment. When people enter the air shower chamber, the very powerful air shower motors ventilate the air at very high speeds. At this moment, the contaminated air is replaced with filtered air, resulting in the probability of entry of various pollutants into the cleanroom reaching zero.
Air showers are used in cleanrooms in almost all industrial environments. It should be noted that air showers use pure steam to reduce environmental pollution. A very important point about air showers is that this equipment, in addition to preventing the entry of pollutants and suspended pollutants into the cleanroom environment, also increases the lifespan of the filters inside the room. Because, with the use of air showers, the amount of pollutants entering the cleanroom is greatly reduced, and as a result, the filters become contaminated later. This equipment also helps to reduce the energy consumption of cleanrooms.
The air in cleanrooms must be continuously circulated and filtered. Only in this way is it possible to implement air conditioning in cleanrooms. One of the most important equipment in a cleanroom that plays a significant role in air filtration is the air handling unit (AHU). Of course, the AHU is not only involved in the filtration of cleanroom air. Rather, this equipment controls the temperature and humidity of cleanrooms. It should be noted that each cleanroom has its own standards for pressure, humidity, and temperature, as a result, users can also use the AHU to adjust them according to their desired standards.
HEPA filters are used in cleanroom AHUs, which have very high power in air filtration and can effectively perform air conditioning of cleanrooms. Therefore, it can be said that, given the very high importance of the flow of clean air in cleanrooms, AHUs are considered to be one of the most important equipment in these environments.
You may be surprised to learn that you need to use special tables, furniture, and even trolleys in a cleanroom. In fact, the furniture used in cleanrooms is very important for two reasons. On the one hand, comfortable and suitable furniture should be used for the comfort of employees. Because people work in the cleanroom for a long time. On the other hand, cleanroom furniture has many differences from other types of furniture. For example, all models of furniture used in cleanrooms are fully washable. For this reason, most furniture used in cleanrooms are made of stainless steel and do not have fabric or foam.
One of the very important features of furniture as one of the most practical equipment in a cleanroom is the lack of sharp edges. Because the sharpness of different parts of the furniture can cause the tearing of employees’ clothes and consequently the entry of contamination into the cleanroom. By using stainless steel in cleanroom furniture, in addition to preventing rust due to continuous washing, it also prevents the accumulation of contaminants on its surface.
Like cleanroom furniture, the table used in this environment also has its own characteristics. For example, these tables should also be made of stainless steel so that they can be washed continuously. Companies that produce cleanroom equipment produce cleanroom tables and furniture in a wide variety of models, and you can go to different products in this field according to your needs.
The flow of air entering the cleanroom must be continuously monitored and controlled in terms of volume and quality. For this reason, a device called an electric damper is used to control the flow of air entering this environment. These cleanroom equipment are used in generator rooms and air handling units. Galvanized stainless steel sheet is used to manufacture electric dampers. Although in some models, depending on the industrial environment in question, stainless steel or aluminum can be used.
Electric dampers are also among the other important equipment of the cleanroom, which plays a significant role in controlling the flow of clean air entering this environment. It should be noted that electric dampers have various types such as pneumatic, round, parallel, square, etc., which can have significant differences in terms of performance. The type of motor used in electric dampers is of great importance.
The filtered air filtered by the air handler, electric damper, and HEPA filters must enter the cleanroom in a principled and non-pressurized manner. For this, the diffuser or solar vent of the cleanroom is used. In general, the filtered air should not enter the cleanroom with too much pressure. Because this itself causes pollution and raises suspended particles. For this reason, diffusers play a significant role in maintaining a uniform flow within the cleanroom. But how do these devices work?
Profiles are installed on the solar vent of the cleanroom that look like sun rays. These profiles or blades can prevent the air from being thrown intentionally or horizontally with high pressure. In fact, these blades rotate and then inject the filtered air into the cleanroom with very suitable pressure. Cleanroom diffusers are generally installed on false ceilings so that air can flow well within the cleanroom environment. It should be noted that for the proper operation of the cleanroom, various simple and complex equipment must work simultaneously with each other. The cleanroom diffuser may seem like a simple device, but their performance is important.
The pass box is another very important equipment of the cleanroom. This box or compartment has a very simple design, but plays a very significant role in maintaining the cleanliness of the cleanroom. But what exactly is the cleanroom pass box? Various tools and equipment enter the cleanroom, which contain a lot of pollution. For this reason, a gateway should be used to clean and then transfer the desired equipment to the cleanroom. Here is where the role of the cleanroom pass box becomes very important. This compartment has two doors, one inside the cleanroom and the other in the external environment.
To bring tools and equipment into the cleanroom, people must first open the passbox door and place them inside the compartment. Then, the staff present in the cleanroom clean the tools and equipment using special materials or air pressure, and then open the passbox door. As a result of using this equipment and process, the entry of contamination from tools into the cleanroom is minimized. It can be said that the passbox is a small version of the airlock and air shower.
Another type of HVAC equipment in the cleanroom is hygienic air conditioners, also known as air conditioners. These devices have different components and can be used to provide the appropriate temperature and humidity inside the cleanroom. A very important point about these devices is their ability to disinfect and clean the air. For this reason, hygienic air conditioners are used more in the pharmaceutical industry, hospitals, and biochemistry laboratories to sterilize the air inside the cleanroom. In hygienic air conditioners, there are different components, including air outlet and inlet dampers, fan, filter, coil, and vibration damper.
Hygienic air conditioners are very technologically advanced and therefore only apply to specific industries. The very important difference between hygienic air conditioners and conventional air conditioners is their efficiency. Conventional air conditioners can filter the air with good efficiency. However, hygienic air conditioners do this with 99.99% accuracy and have a nearly 100% efficiency. That is exactly why these air conditioners are used in specific cleanrooms to sterilize the air.
As stated, fans and filters play a vital role in filtering and purifying the air inside the cleanroom. Another important equipment in this field is the fan filter unit, which is responsible for circulating, filtering, and blowing fresh air into the cleanroom. Depending on the type of cleanroom, different fan filter units can be used in the cleanroom. These devices have different components, including motor fan, final filter, box, and pre-filter.
In general, the fan filter unit first takes on the task of circulating air in cleanrooms. Without air circulation, it is not possible to filter the airflow inside cleanrooms. On the other hand, in addition to circulating air, the fan filter unit also filters or filters the air inside the cleanroom. Other tasks of this device include providing fresh air and also the appropriate pressure of cleanrooms. Fan filter units have two types of closed and open return cycles, which can be used depending on the type of use of the cleanroom.
Conventional materials such as plaster, cement, or ceramic cannot be used to build the walls and ceilings of cleanrooms. Rather, materials that are suitable for this purpose are those that are initially good insulators for pressure and moisture, and their resistance to corrosion, rust, and microbial and pollutant absorption is high. Sandwich panels are considered to be the best option for building the walls and ceilings of cleanrooms. These types of building materials are generally made of aluminum or galvanized steel, with XPS foam, polyurethane, and polystyrene used in their internal layers. Due to the sandwich connection method, these materials are called sandwich panels. But why are sandwich panels considered to be very important equipment in a cleanroom?
Most sandwich panels used in cleanrooms are made up of three different layers. The first layer of these materials has high resistance to corrosion, rust, and absorption of various bacteria, microbes, and other pollutants. Foams of various types are used in the next layer of these materials. It should be noted that cleanroom sandwich panels are also fire-resistant to prevent fires in cleanrooms.
Another very important equipment for cleanrooms is their door. Contrary to popular belief, the main door of a cleanroom plays a very important role in maintaining the cleanliness of this environment. Because the presence of even the smallest leak in the cleanroom door can cause very serious problems within this environment. Cleanroom doors are generally made of HPL and have an aluminum or steel frame. Also, due to the use of sandwich panels inside this door, its structure is layered and thus the likelihood of leakage in it is minimized.
The cleanroom door is highly resistant to corrosion and rust, so people will have no problem washing it. On the other hand, this equipment is completely fireproof and poses no danger to the cleanroom. The various types of cleanroom doors have different components, including interlock systems, electronic locks, double-glazed glass panels, magnets for opening and closing the door, and more.
When it comes to cleanroom equipment, cleanroom clothing cannot be ignored. In fact, one of the most important equipment in these environments is clothing that prevents the entry of various pollutants into the cleanroom. This is because employees and their clothing are generally considered to be the main pollutants in the cleanroom. Depending on the type of use of the cleanroom, the special clothing for this environment may vary. Cleanroom clothing is classified and each type displays the level of safety or protection of the clothing. For example, a D-grade cleanroom suit indicates that the entire body of the person, such as hair, face, beard, and shoes, must be covered. On the other hand, type C suits should cover the upper and lower body of the person.
Cleanroom clothing also includes various cuffs, slippers, and latex gloves. This is because even the slightest contact with the outside environment can seriously jeopardize the sterility of the cleanroom environment. It should be noted that cleanroom clothing is generally of the antistatic type and has very high quality. Therefore, they can be used several times.
Another very important equipment in the cleanroom is the airlock, which is a transitional space with two separate doors with a corridor in between. In fact, it can be said that the airlock is a larger and more advanced version of the pass box. The two airlock doors are not opened or closed simultaneously. Rather, one of the doors must first be opened and then after air purification and removal of pollutants, the next door is opened. The interlock system is used to control the opening and closing of the doors in the airlock.
A very important point about the airlock is its use in laboratory environments where there is a difference in temperature and pressure between the environment inside the cleanroom and outside it. It should be noted that airlocks are used in many other environments in addition to cleanrooms, such as operating rooms, biochemistry laboratories, pharmaceutical laboratories, etc. Without the use of an airlock, it is not possible to control the entry of pollutants and, in particular, to adjust the pressure and temperature of the external and internal environment of the cleanroom. Therefore, airlocks are considered to be one of the most important equipment in cleanrooms.
In this article, we became familiar with the different types of cleanroom equipment. It should be noted that each cleanroom, depending on its type of use and dimensions, has different equipment. However, some equipment such as air shower, airlock, furniture, tables, trolleys, dampers, air conditioners, etc. are used in all cleanrooms. Because they play a vital role in air purification and preventing the entry of pollutants into this environment. The equipment used in cleanrooms must be of high quality and manufactured according to the latest standards. That is why you should go to reputable companies in this field to buy cleanroom equipment.
Ekeas Engineering Group is one of the leading companies in the field of design and production of high-quality cleanroom equipment. You can entrust the design, consulting, and implementation of your desired cleanroom from scratch to our experienced experts to have a professional, advanced, and completely modern cleanroom. All cleanroom equipment manufactured by Ekeas Engineering Group meet world-class standards and are produced with the highest quality. For more information and consultation, you can contact our experts at Ekeas Group.
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