What is an air shower pass through？

An air shower pass-through is an essential contamination control system used in cleanroom environments, enabling the transfer of materials, equipment, or personnel while preventing contamination between different areas. It integrates air showers and passageways into a single unit, ensuring particles are removed from the transferred items before entering controlled environments. This article explores the concept, benefits, and applications of the air shower pass-through system.

What is an Air Shower Pass-Through?

An air shower pass-through is a specialized CleanRoom equipment designed to prevent contamination when transferring materials, equipment, or personnel between different areas, particularly from dirty zones to clean environments.

• Functionality

  An air shower pass-through typically consists of two connected compartments—one for the entry of items and one for their exit—along with an integrated air shower system that cleans contaminants off the objects or personnel as they pass through. The system uses high-velocity air jets to blow off particles, ensuring clean materials enter the controlled area.

• Purpose and Design

  The design of an air shower pass-through allows for efficient and effective decontamination while ensuring a smooth transfer process. The system is often equipped with HEPA filters, which trap airborne particles, offering a higher level of cleanliness.

  This design is commonly used in industries where contamination control is crucial, such as in pharmaceutical production, Semiconductor manufacturing, and laboratory research, where even small particles can significantly affect the process.

  The pass-through feature ensures that both items and personnel are decontaminated before entering the cleanroom, maintaining high hygiene standards and minimizing the risk of contamination.

• Airflow Technology

  The air shower pass-through operates with high-velocity airflow, often reaching speeds of 20 to 30 meters per second. This ensures that contaminants, dust, and other particles are effectively removed from the surfaces before they can enter sensitive areas.

• Compliance with Regulations

  Air shower pass-through systems are designed to meet international cleanliness and contamination control standards, such as ISO 14644 and Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP), ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements in various industries.

• Advantages in Efficiency

  The integration of an air shower with the pass-through mechanism minimizes the time and effort involved in transferring materials into clean areas, improving operational efficiency and reducing the risk of contamination.

Application Scenarios of Channel Air Shower

Channel air showers are used in various environments where maintaining a sterile, contaminant-free atmosphere is essential. They are ideal for both personnel and material decontamination in industries like pharmaceuticals, Electronics, and food production.

Pharmaceutical Industry:

In the Pharmaceutical industry, channel air showers help prevent contamination of drugs and medical devices during production. The air shower cleans personnel and materials before they enter critical cleanroom environments, maintaining product integrity.

Semiconductor Manufacturing:

Channel air showers are crucial in semiconductor manufacturing, where even minor contamination can impact the production of microchips. These systems ensure that equipment and personnel are free from dust or particles before entering sterile zones.

Additionally, air showers in semiconductor environments help protect both the cleanroom and the product by effectively removing particles from surfaces, preventing cross-contamination during the manufacturing process.

The importance of these systems is magnified by the precision required in semiconductor production, where cleanrooms must maintain a contamination-free environment to achieve high yields and quality.

Food and Beverage Production:

In food processing and beverage industries, channel air showers are employed to ensure that packaging, raw materials, and personnel are free of contaminants before entering food-grade areas. This ensures hygiene and safety standards are met, preventing product spoilage.

Comparison Between Channel Air Shower and Traditional Air Shower

1. Functionality

A channel air shower offers a two-way passage, allowing materials or personnel to pass through without direct contact with the cleanroom, whereas traditional air showers are primarily designed for personnel decontamination before entering A CleanRoom.

2. Design and Efficiency

Channel air showers integrate both an air shower system and a pass-through chamber, offering a more streamlined and efficient approach for handling materials and personnel. In contrast, traditional air showers are single units designed for personnel only and may not be as versatile in high-traffic environments.The dual-chamber design of channel air showers makes them ideal for industries with high material throughput, ensuring both personnel and items are decontaminated before entering sterile areas. This configuration saves time and minimizes the risk of contamination.Furthermore, channel air showers can accommodate a broader range of sizes and types of materials, offering more flexibility than traditional air showers, which are usually restricted to human use only.

Customization of Air Shower Specifications

1. Tailored Airflow and Dimensions

Air shower pass-through systems can be customized to meet specific operational needs, with adjustable airflow and dimensions that cater to the scale and throughput of the cleanroom environment.

2. Material and Construction Options

Custom air showers can be constructed from a variety of materials, such as stainless steel for enhanced durability or powder-coated steel for cost-effectiveness. The construction materials can be chosen based on the specific requirements of the cleanroom, such as resistance to corrosion or ease of cleaning.

Moreover, the design can be adjusted for different installation spaces, ensuring that the air shower system fits seamlessly within the layout of the facility. This level of customization allows for a more efficient workflow, especially in environments where cleanliness and contamination control are paramount.

The air shower’s HEPA filtration and nozzle placement can also be customized to meet specific decontamination standards, further ensuring that the equipment complies with strict industry guidelines such as ISO 14644 or GMP.

3. Flexible Configurations

Custom configurations may also include features such as automatic doors for ease of use, touchless operation to prevent cross-contamination, or multi-function modes to allow the air shower to serve different purposes in various environments.

Air Shower HEPA Filter Configuration

HEPA filters are critical components of air shower systems, ensuring that the air circulated is free of harmful particles. These filters trap fine dust, allergens, and bacteria, keeping the cleanroom environment sterile.

Filter Efficiency

HEPA filters used in air shower pass-through systems have an efficiency of at least 99.97% at trapping particles as small as 0.3 microns. This high filtration efficiency is crucial for maintaining strict contamination control in cleanrooms.

Filter Types

There are different types of HEPA filters, such as H13 and H14, which offer varying levels of filtration efficiency. The choice of filter depends on the specific contamination control requirements of the environment.

Regular maintenance and replacement of HEPA filters are necessary to ensure continued performance. Over time, filters can become clogged with particles, reducing airflow and filtration efficiency. It is important to follow a maintenance schedule to keep the air shower operating at optimal capacity.

Using high-quality HEPA filters also ensures compliance with regulatory standards like ISO 14644, which sets requirements for air cleanliness in cleanrooms and controlled environments.

Filter Replacement Guidelines

The lifespan of a HEPA filter depends on factors like usage frequency and the level of contaminants in the air. Regular inspection and replacement are essential to prevent system failures and maintain air quality.

Air Shower Filter Replacement and Maintenance

Proper maintenance of air shower filters is essential for optimal performance. Regular inspection, cleaning, and replacement prevent system malfunction and ensure the air remains free of contaminants.

1. Filter Inspection and Cleaning

Filters should be checked regularly for signs of dust accumulation. When cleaning filters, use compressed air or gentle cleaning methods to avoid damage. Always follow manufacturer instructions.

2. Filter Replacement

• HEPA filters need to be replaced when they reach their maximum load capacity, which typically occurs after several months or years of use, depending on the operating conditions.

• Failure to replace filters can result in reduced airflow and efficiency, negatively impacting the cleanliness of the environment.

• Follow the manufacturer's guidelines for when to replace filters, and keep a record of replacements to ensure compliance with industry standards.

3. Long-Term Maintenance

Regularly inspect other components of the air shower system, including the airflow nozzles and sensors, to ensure that they function properly. Proper maintenance can extend the life of the system and reduce the risk of contamination.

4. Efficiency Enhancements

To ensure optimal efficiency, it is recommended to upgrade iso 5 cleanroom air shower systems with the latest filter technology, such as ULPA filters, which can provide even higher filtration efficiency for highly sensitive environments.

An air shower pass-through system is a vital asset for contamination control in sensitive industries, providing a seamless transition between different environments while ensuring thorough decontamination. Deiiang Company offers customized solutions that meet international standards, ensuring the highest levels of cleanliness and regulatory compliance.