How to design a cleanroom environment

A cleanroom is an essential experimental environment in many high-tech industries. It can effectively control dust, temperature and humidity in the air to ensure product quality and accuracy of experiments. When designing a cleanroom, multiple factors need to be considered to ensure its functionality and safety. This article will give you a detailed introduction on how to design an efficient cleanroom environment.

Determine the level of the cleanroom

1.Understand the cleanroom level standard

The level of the modular cleanroom is usually defined by the ISO 14644-1 standard, and different levels represent different air cleanliness requirements. For example, the number of dust particles per cubic meter of an ISO 5 Cleanroom is limited to 3,200, which is suitable for environments requiring extremely high cleanliness, while the limit of ISO 8 is greatly relaxed, which is suitable for some applications with lower cleanliness requirements. Choosing the right level is the first step in the design.

2.Select the level according to the application requirements

When determining the level of the cleanroom, the needs of the actual application need to be considered. For example, Semiconductor manufacturing usually requires ISO5 or higher cleanliness, while the pharmaceutical industry may require between ISO7 and ISO8. It is critical to properly select the cleanroom grade based on industry standards and specific product requirements.

3. Consider future scalability

When designing a cleanroom, future scalability needs to be considered. As technology develops and product requirements change, the cleanroom grade or function may need to be upgraded. Therefore, in the early stages of design, it is best to leave a certain amount of space and budget for later expansion and upgrades.

Design the air flow system

1.Determine the air flow pattern

The design of the air flow system of the cleanroom is crucial. Common air flow patterns include mixed flow, laminar flow, and short-circuit flow. Laminar flow systems are usually suitable for cleanrooms with high cleanliness requirements. The air passes through the filter in a unidirectional flow form to minimize particulate matter in the air. This system should be designed to ensure that the air flow rate is between 0.45 m/s and 0.6 m/s to maintain effective air exchange.

2.Choose the right filtration system

The filtration system is the core component of the clean room. HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air Filter) and ULPA (Ultra Low Penetration Air Filter) are commonly used filtration devices. The efficiency of HEPA filter requires filtering 99.97% of particles with a diameter of 0.3 microns. When designing, the appropriate filter should be selected according to the required cleanliness level, and it should be replaced and maintained regularly to ensure its performance.

3.Consider air temperature and humidity control

In addition to cleanliness, air temperature and humidity control are equally important. The temperature of the clean room is usually set between 20°C and 22°C, and the relative humidity should be maintained between 40%-60%. These parameters can be adjusted by an efficient HVAC system to ensure the stability and comfort of the experimental environment.

Choose the right building materials

1. Material selection criteria

The material selection of the walls, floors and ceilings of the clean room directly affects the cleanliness and maintenance costs. Smooth, easy-to-clean materials such as stainless steel, epoxy resin and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) are recommended. These materials are not only easy to clean, but also effectively prevent the growth of microorganisms.

2. Designing the isolation of the clean room

In order to prevent external pollution sources from entering, the isolation design of the clean room is also very important. Doors and windows should be sealed to avoid airflow leakage. When designing, you should consider using airlock systems or electric doors to improve the isolation effect of the clean room and reduce the impact of people entering and exiting the clean environment.

3. Lighting and power design

The lighting design of the clean room should also take into account the cleanliness requirements. Choose LED lamps because they can not only reduce heat generation but also reduce energy consumption. The setting of power sockets should take into account the layout of equipment in the clean room to ensure that sufficient power support is provided without affecting air flow.

and industry standards

Designing a qualified modular clean room requires comprehensive consideration of multiple factors such as cleanliness level, air flow system, and building materials. Through reasonable design, the efficient operation of the clean room can be ensured and the needs of various industries can be met. Here are some industry standards and specifications to follow in Cleanroom design:

Related industry standards and specifications

• iso 14644-1: This standard defines the air cleanliness levels in cleanrooms and related controlled environments, and is applicable to the design and evaluation of various types of cleanrooms.

• iso 14644-2: This standard provides monitoring and testing methods for cleanrooms to ensure that cleanrooms continue to meet the set cleanliness requirements.

• GMP (Good Manufacturing Practice): Particularly applicable to the pharmaceutical industry, ensuring that the production process in the cleanroom meets quality standards and reduces the risk of product contamination.

• FS209E: Although it has been replaced by the ISO standard, this standard is still adopted by some industries and defines the air particulate limits for different cleanroom levels.

• ASHRAE 170: Focuses on air circulation and ventilation standards in cleanrooms to ensure proper air quality and comfort.

• 6CEI/IEC 60068: This standard involves environmental testing to ensure the stability and reliability of cleanroom Equipment and materials under various environmental conditions.

Designing an efficient cleanroom is a complex but necessary process that involves many aspects of consideration and standard compliance. From determining the grade of the cleanroom, designing the air flow system, selecting the right building materials, to following relevant industry standards, every step is crucial. Through scientific design and reasonable management, cleanrooms can provide a safe and reliable experimental and production environment for various high-tech industries to ensure product quality and safety.

When designing a cleanroom, be sure to refer to the above industry standards to ensure that your cleanroom not only meets modern technological requirements, but also maintains a high degree of adaptability and flexibility in future development. Through continuous maintenance and updating, your cleanroom will be able to continue to play its important role and provide strong support for scientific research and product development.