What You Need to Know About Laminar Air Flow

All About Laminar Air Flow

What’s Laminar Air Flow (LAF)

  Laminar air flow is a kind of air purification equipment that provides Class A unidirectional flow and creates a localized high cleanliness environment. It mainly consists of a box, fan, HEPA filter, damping layer, and light fixtures, etc. It uses fan mounted in top to pressurize HEPA-filtered air flow into work area vertically, providing ISO 5 (Class 100) unidirectional flow air to the critical area. Exhaust air is exhausted from below and returned to the cleanroom area. The main function of the laminar flow hood is to shield and isolate the operator from the product to avoid product contamination. It is suitable for environments where high cleanliness levels are required in low cleanliness areas, such as the protection of sterile pharmaceutical compounding.

Working Principle of Laminar Air Flow(LAF)

  The laminar air flow (LAF) works by filtering and controlling airflow to maintain a high level of cleanliness in the work area, thereby protecting products and processes.
LAF’s working principle is as below:
1.Air intake: Outside air is drawn into the laminar flow hood firstly and then passes through a pre-filter for initial filtration to remove larger particles.
2.High-efficiency filter: The pre-filtered air enters HEPA filter or ULPA filter, the efficiency of which is 99.995%@0.3um, thus significantly improving the cleanliness of the air.
3.Laminar air flow
Horizontal laminar air flow: Filtered clean air flows horizontally through the work area, forming a parallel laminar flow from the back side to the front side. Therefore, contaminants are continuously removed from the front of the work area.
Vertical laminar air flow: Filtered clean air flows vertically through the work area, forming a parallel laminar flow from the top side to the bottom side. Therefore, contaminants are continuously removed from the bottom of the work area.
4.Keep clean in work area: Due to the uniform laminar air flow, the air in the work area maintains a steady flow, thus preventing contaminants outside from entering into the work area, while the contaminants in the work area are continuously taken away. This ensures the cleanliness of the air in the work area.
5.Exhaust system: Some LAF may be equipped with an exhaust system to remove air passing though the work area to the outside environment or to recycle the air by re-filtering it.

Classification of laminar air flow
Classified by direction of airflow: vertical LAF and horizontal LAF
Classified by type of fan: AC fan LAF, DC fan LAF, EC fan LAF
Classified by installation mode: Hanging type and floor-standing type
Classified by usage: Fixed LAF and Mobile Laminar air flow

Features of Laminar air flow
It can be used individually or in combination
It is featured with less nintial investment, fast effect, simple installation, and lower operation cost compared with traditional or modular class 100 cleanroom/ISO5 cleanroom.
The material of the box is high quality stainless steel.
In cleanroom pharmaceutical industry, LAF can create class A area under class B or C clean environment, which is more flexible, quicker and less costly than building class A cleanroom directly.

The purpose of laminar air flow

  Laminar air flow can be flexibly installed over process points that require high cleanliness to provide a partial clean environment. This equipment can be used individually or in multiple combinations to form clean areas to meet the cleanliness needs of a specific area. LAF is designed and used to control airborne particles, bacteria and other contaminants, to minimize the contamination of the work environment or products from these contaminants, and to ensure that the air quality in the work area meets certain standards.

Where is Laminar air flow wanted?

  It is widely used in the fields of medicine, biotechnology, food processing, scientific research and experiments, providing important technical support for these industries. In addition, the LAF can be combined with other air purification, disinfection and other equipment to achieve multi-functional integration, improve comprehensive performance, continue to develop and innovate, and provide a strong guarantee for the cleanliness of the production environment and product quality. 

Composition of Laminar air flow

  The main components of LAF include box, fan, HEPA filter, damping layer, light fixtures, etc. Its shell is usually SS304 or aluminum zinc-coated plate after plastic spraying treatment. It has the characteristics of anti-rust, corrosion resistance, lightweight and high strength.

Features of Laminar air flow manufactured by Airkey
1.Control panel
Placed in front of the SS housing for on/off, speed control, LED light on/off and UV lamp on/off (optional)
2.Light and homogeneous flow film
Homogeneous flow film can make the airflow after high-efficiency filter uniformly downward laminar pressure, avoid turbulence, so as to better control and maintain a higher cleanliness. Built-in LED light, illumination 300Lux or more, beautiful and practical.
3.DOP test point
Easy for leakage test, ensuring sealing performance and product quality
4.Inserted High Quality Fan
Backward centrifugal fan with compact structure, reliable, energy-saving and low noise operation
5.Built-in Gel-sealed H14 filter
Gel-sealed H14 Filter with efficiency of 99.995@0.3μm and high sealing performance (EN1822-1:2009), easily creating ISO 5 laminar flow clean area (EN ISO14644-1)
6.Pressure Gauge
Pressure gauge in Dwyer brand that accurately displays the air pressure
7 . G4 filter
G4 filter made of non-woven cloth with efficiency of 95%@5um, washable and recyclable, ensuring two-step filtration of LAF

Available optional configurations for Laminar air flow manufactured by Airkey?
1.Diffuser plate
The bottom of the LAF can be selected according to the customer's demand for light homogeneous flow film or stainless steel mesh plate.
2.Rubber curtain
LAF can be surrounded by transparent PVC soft curtain or rubber curtain
3.Casters( caster type)
Height-adjustable casters (+30mm), with brakes, easy to move.
4.Customized size and material
Size: can be customized as customer requirements (recommended size not more than W2400XD1200mm)
Material: can be customized as customer requirements (such as stainless steel, aluminum zinc plate, etc.)
5.Lugs(hanging type)
Steel lugs, strong load-bearing capacity, easy and convenient installation.
6.DQ/IQ/OQ/PQ documents are available.

How to use Laminar air flow hood correctly?
1.Choose appropriate place
The LAF should be placed in a dry, ventilated, vibration-free place, as far as possible away from doors, windows, vents and other places that may affect its filtering effect.
2.Correctly starting the Laminar air flow
Before starting the LAF, you need to make sure that there is nothing inside the hood. When starting, you should follow the correct order, firstly, open the top panel, then open the front door, and finally open the bottom panel, to ensure the direction and stability of air flow.
3.Ensure the correct use
When using the LAF, you should correctly place the experimental apparatus and chemical reagents to avoid the generation of gas and chemical reaction, which will affect the filtering performance of the laminar flow hood.

Laminar air flow hood’s maintenance
1.Regular replacement of filters
The filter of the LAF needs to be replaced regularly to ensure the filtering effect and safety. In general, the replacement cycle of the filter is about 6 months to 1 year, the specific time can be determined according to the specific conditions of the laboratory and the frequency of use.
2.Cleaning and sterilization
The surface of the LAF needs to be cleaned and disinfected regularly to avoid the accumulation of impurities and bacteria affecting the filtration effect. Cleaning should use the specialized detergents and soft cloths, avoid to use the cleaners containing abrasive particles, so as not to scratch the surface.
3.Regular maintenance
The maintenance of LAF needs to be carried out regularly, including checking the exhaust pipe, power line, electrical components, etc. to ensure the normal operation and safety of the equipment.

How does the laminar air flow cabinet work?
The main purpose of laminar air flow cabinet is provide a sterile and filtered air environment.To achieve this function, it uses the components listed below.
1.Working bench
2.Housing
3.Blower/fan
4.Primary filter
5.HEPA filter
6.Uniform airflow screen
7.UV lamp

  The above components make up the laminar airflow chamber together. The blower helps to draw in room air from the top or front of it. The air passes through a primary filter which collects large dust particles from the air. Then the air passes through a HEPA filter which filters out microorganisms and other particles. The filtered air touches the housing and flushes the work surface. It removes all kinds of suspended microorganisms and particles. To sanitize the work area, you can disinfect the work area with a UV lamp. The laminar airflow cabinet has been carefully designed to maintain laminar airflow. All parts of the enclosed air flow in straight parallel lines in the same direction. The type of airflow can be vertical or horizontal, depending on the purpose of the sterile hood. It will absolutely guarantee the safety of the sample and the user.