Single-person air showers play a critical role in
maintaining the cleanliness and integrity of controlled environments, such as
clean rooms, laboratories, and manufacturing facilities. They effectively remove
particles, dust, and contaminants from personnel before entering these sensitive
areas. By ensuring contamination control, these air showers help maintain
stringent environmental standards and safeguard product quality and safety. In
this article, we explore the key functions of a single-person air shower and how
it contributes to clean room hygiene.
What Are the Functions of a Single-Person Air Shower?
A single-person air shower removes dust, particles, and other contaminants from individuals before they enter clean environments. Its primary function is to ensure that contaminants do not compromise the controlled air quality of clean rooms, ultimately preserving product quality and personnel safety.
1. Particle Removal
The primary function of a single-person air shower is to remove contaminants, such as dust, hair, and skin particles, from personnel. High-velocity air jets effectively dislodge particles from clothing, shoes, and skin, preventing contamination from entering clean areas.
2. Contamination Control
Air showers are designed to help maintain the integrity of clean rooms by minimizing the introduction of particles. They use filtered air and high-speed nozzles that direct airflow around individuals, ensuring particles are removed before they can compromise controlled environments. This is essential in sectors like pharmaceuticals, Electronics, and biotechnology.
3. Hygienic Barrier
Acting as a hygienic barrier between the outer environment and clean spaces, single-person air showers provide an essential layer of protection against cross-contamination. They prevent the migration of particles into sensitive manufacturing areas.
4. Airflow Efficiency and Effectiveness
Air showers are engineered to create uniform airflow around the body, ensuring effective particle removal. High-efficiency filtration systems within the air shower further enhance the cleanliness of the air, ensuring that contaminants are not recycled back into the system.
List of Relevant Specifications and Standards
ISO 8573: Compressed Air Quality for Clean Rooms.
EN 1822: HEPA and ULPA filter performance standards.
Material Used in Air Showers
Stainless steel air showers
Stainless steel is a preferred material for air showers due to its excellent corrosion resistance, hygiene properties, and ease of maintenance. It is ideal for high-hygiene environments such as pharmaceutical and biotechnology cleanrooms where contamination control is critical. Its smooth surface makes cleaning easier, and it offers long-term durability even in demanding conditions.
Baked Enamel Steel air showers
Baked enamel-coated steel is an economical option for air showers. The coating provides an additional layer of protection against corrosion and wear, making it suitable for moderate-use environments. While it is not as resistant to corrosion as stainless steel, it still offers good durability and ease of cleaning, making it a cost-effective choice for many industrial applications.
Color-Coated Steel Panel Air Showers
Color-coated steel panels are commonly used in air shower construction where both aesthetics and corrosion resistance are important. These panels are coated with a protective layer to prevent rust and ensure easy cleaning. They offer a balance between cost-effectiveness and performance, making them ideal for environments where visual appeal and moderate contamination control are required.
Common Specifications of Air Showers
Size Specifications
The typical size of a single-person air shower ranges from 900mm to 1200mm in width, 1200mm to 1500mm in length, and 2000mm to 2200mm in height. These dimensions ensure that personnel can move comfortably through the air shower while receiving adequate exposure to airflow.
Airflow Requirements
The airflow within a single-person air shower typically ranges between 25 to 30 m/s for effective particle removal. The system should provide sufficient velocity to dislodge particles without causing discomfort to the personnel inside.
Filtration Efficiency
Air showers are equipped with HEPA filters that capture 99.97% of particles 0.3 microns or larger, ensuring that the air inside the cleanroom remains free from contaminants.
Power Supply and Controls
Air showers require a reliable power supply, typically 220V or 380V, depending on the region. The system should include adjustable settings for air pressure, timing, and airflow velocity, enabling customization to meet different cleanroom requirements.
360° Nozzle Design for Air Showers
Uniform Airflow Distribution:
The 360° nozzle design ensures that the airflow is distributed evenly around the individual, effectively removing dust and particles from all angles. This design maximizes particle removal efficiency by targeting all areas of clothing, shoes, and body.
Advanced Nozzle Technology:
The nozzles in a single-person air shower are strategically placed around the chamber, usually at different angles, to ensure uniform airflow. This comprehensive design directs high-velocity air to areas where contamination is most likely to accumulate, such as the clothing and shoes. The nozzles are adjustable, allowing operators to fine-tune airflow for maximum effectiveness.
Furthermore, these nozzles utilize air velocity control to prevent excessive pressure on the body while ensuring that even the most stubborn particles are removed.
Increased Efficiency:
The 360° nozzle design increases the overall efficiency of the air shower, reducing the amount of time personnel need to spend inside while ensuring complete contamination removal.
Correct Way to Use Air Showers
Proper usage of air showers is essential to maintain their effectiveness. Personnel must ensure they follow the correct procedure to maximize particle removal and prevent contamination of cleanroom areas.
1. Step-by-Step Usage Instructions
To use the air shower correctly, personnel should first enter the air shower chamber and close the door behind them. The air shower will then activate automatically, with high-velocity air jets blasting particles from the body, clothing, and footwear. The shower should run for the specified time, usually 10-15 seconds, to ensure that all contaminants are removed. It’s crucial that personnel remain still during the process to avoid disrupting the airflow.
2. monitoring and Maintenance
Operators should regularly check air velocity, filtration system efficiency, and nozzle functionality to ensure the air shower is performing as expected. Filters should be replaced as recommended, and airflow tests should be conducted periodically.
3. Compliance with Standards
Adhering to relevant international and domestic standards such as iso 14644-1, ISO 8573, and EN 1822 ensures that the air shower system operates at the highest levels of efficiency and meets regulatory requirements for cleanrooms.
Deiiang Company is a leader in cleanroom technology, offering customized air shower solutions that meet global standards. Our designs prioritize functionality, energy efficiency, and ease of maintenance, ensuring that clients receive the best possible contamination control systems for their clean environments. Through innovation and attention to detail, Deiiang enhances client operations while safeguarding product quality and personnel safety.
In conclusion, the single-person air shower is an indispensable tool in maintaining the cleanliness of sensitive environments. By effectively removing contaminants from personnel before they enter A Clean Room, air showers ensure that strict cleanliness standards are met, protecting both products and individuals. Proper use, regular maintenance, and adherence to standards ensure that the air shower functions optimally, contributing to the overall integrity of cleanroom operations.