These Environmental Control Modules address a central cleanroom dilemma: high-technology equipment requires smaller geometries (and more stringent environmental standards), while the necessary cleanrooms become increasingly expensive to construct and maintain.
In fact, research suggests that particles in the sub 0.1 micron range, which can degrade today’s most sensitive components, are largely unaffected by cleanroom laminar flow airstreams. The disturbing consequence of these findings is that many submicron particles—once they are introduced into a cleanroom—may be nearly impossible to remove, even with sophisticated HEPA filtering systems. At the heart of this problem are humans themselves— by far the greatest source of contamination in a cleanroom.
Isolated controlled-air environments provide a cost-effective solution to this problem. Once an operator is removed from the processing or storage area, maintaining superclean conditions becomes much easier—and much more affordable!
Terra’s Environmental Control Modules provide a versatile, economical approach to this mini-environment concept.
Their design flexibility allows you to construct a laminar flow or exhaust purification/removal system for virtually any sized enclosure. Hoods are available for use with two, three, or four filter/blower modules, and several hoods of any size can be positioned together to form as large a work station as you need. Blower/filter modules attach securely to hoods by means of a few screws, and gaskets ensure an air-tight seal.
Further, blower/filter modules can be wall mounted to provide continuous filtering/recirculating, or operated as free-standing systems to deliver a continuous supply of Class 10 air (or purified exhaust) to a remote benchtop or enclosure.
The low-profile filter/blower module incorporates 1200 CFM impeller blowers designed for quiet, continuous duty. A flexible mounting system enables it to function as a positive-pressure blower in one set of applications, drawing air through intake baffles and directing filtered air through an exhaust grid. In the other mounting position, it functions as a negative-pressure ventilator, drawing exhaust fumes through a charcoal purification filter and then releasing them through 8"-diameter exhaust flanges.
The polypropylene housing accommodates a variety of filters. HEPA (High- Efficiency Particulate Air) and ULPA (Ultra-Low Penetration Air) filters provide Class 10 (and cleaner) air flows—refer to performance graph for flow rate and particle counts. Exhaust purification filters remove from the air stream the fumes produced during soldering, screen printing, chemical titrations, and other processing operations (see page 392 for characteristics of exhaust purification filters). Filters can also be used together in the same housing to ensure a clean, purified exhaust flow.
Hoods are designed to fit on a standard table when interfaced with the filter/blower module. Hoods for vertical flow applications are designed for tables 30" deep or deeper. Hoods for horizontal flow applications require a 34"- 44" deep table to accommodate both the hood and filter/blower. Both hood designs are available in three widths. All hoods feature a segmented access shield that allows ample operator access to the working area and also closes completely to minimize contaminants. Stainless steel hood frames support your choice of five different hood materials.
This range of sizes gives you complete flexibility to design a system that meets your requirements.
Double-width hoods provide ample working space for one operator. Larger hoods maintain effective laminar/exhaust flow rates for larger working areas and several operators.
In fact, their economical, modular design lets you configure a bank of controlled-air enclosures as wide as you want. Because each incorporates its own filter/blower module, the system maintains a uniform laminar flow across the entire work area—no matter how large it is—with minimal noise and turbulence. Compare this working environment with the noisy, wind-blown processing areas in systems that rely on a single, centralized filter/blower!
Hoods are available in five materials. Terra’s light-weight, transparent staticdissipative PVC, which features a surface resistivity between 106 and 108 ohms/square, safely eliminates static build-ups and the particles they attract, making surfaces clean inside and out. Nondissipative PVC and polypropylene enclosures are ideal for use with a wide range of caustic fumes. All hoods feature a stainless steel reinforcement frame for optimal strength and stability.
Hoods can also be equipped with a conduit flange to allow remote applications. Simply specify desired location of input/exhaust when ordering.