Cleanroom Airflow Systems – Efficiency and Cost

The cleanroom airflow system is one of the most critical components to achieving a clean environment. Parallel to the system design and selection, air change rates are an important factor in contamination control of a cleanroom and will help determine fan and motor sizing for a recirculation air handling system. Air handler sizing and air path design both directly impact the capital costs and configuration of a building.

Learn some of the criteria that goes into selecting a clean room air flow system. How it effects the overall design of your cleanroom and the construction. The selection of a clean room air system should be well though out as it has several implications on budget, cleanroom cleanliness and operational efficiencies.

Cleanroom Airflow Delivery Systems

What are the different airflow systems used in a clean room design?

There are three different types of cleanroom airflow systems in the clean room environments. Pressurized Plenum, ducted supply and ducted return and ducted supply and open return.

Pressurized Plenum – Air flow System

In a Pressurized Plenum you pump air into the Plenum then push the air through the filters and into the cleanroom environment.

Ducted Supply and Ducted Return – Cleanroom Airflow System

In many pharmaceutical clean room environments, a ducted supply and ducted return airflow system is used. The ducted supply/ducted return Air system essentially pumps air through Ducts into the clean room then sends the air back out of the clean room through Ducts.

Ducted Supply and Open Return – Cleanroom Airflow System

With a ducted supply and open return airflow system, air is delivered to the clean room environment through ducts. The air then naturally flows into an open return or a return air Plenum. This airflow system tends to be the most cost-effective and efficient.

Your decision on a cleanroom airflow delivery system is typically guided by the type of industry you’re serving or the type of manufacturing or production environment that you are operating.