LAMINAR AIR FLOW HOOD: HOW TO WORK & PURPOSE
How Does A Laminar Air Flow Work?
The laminar air flow hoods are electro-mechanical equipment used to maintain sterile conditions. The proper functioning of these equipment is evaluated by applying tests and assigning a rating. The air flow hoods are cabins maintaining sterile conditions in place by passing the air through a filter high efficiency air (HEPA). There are horizontal and vertical type.
Horizontal laminar flow hoods are generally manufactured in prismatic form with a single free face (the front) that gives access to the interior, where the work surface is located. The air filter in this type of laminar air flow is located at the back. Its main applications are:
- Preparation of ophthalmic solutions.
- Preparation of sterile and urological topical solutions.
- Mix of food and formulas for babies.
- Ideal for clinical laboratory tests.
- Preparation and crop readings.
- For blood fractionation.
On the other hand, in the vertical laminar flow hoods, the HEPA filter is installed at the top of the hood, so that the air flow is unidirectional and moves through parallel vertical lines. These types of bells are considered safer than horizontal ones. Within this classification are the biological safety bells which are used in:
- Management of viruses, bacteria, etc.
- Useful in very low concentrations of contaminants.
- Protection level for group 1.2.
- Protects the user, the product and the environment.
Elements of a Laminar Air Flow:
The laminar air flow, also known as the laminar flow hood (cabinet) or tissue culture hood, keeps the atmosphere of the interior volume of your work area free of dust. Normally, this area is delimited by stainless steel sheets, except in its front part that usually has one or two guillotine tempered glass doors.
The air flow from a fan passes through a high efficiency HEPA filter, capable of not allowing particles larger than 0.3 micrometers to pass, and metro logically classified to a minimum efficiency of 99.97% according to European standard EN1822 H12 a minimum efficiency of 99.999% can be reached in a HEPA filter that complies with the European standard EN1822 H14.
The fan speed is regulated by an electronic controller so that the air speed is reached, and therefore the appropriate pressure, necessary for the air flow in the work area to be laminar. The pressure value is indicated on the pressure gauge installed outside the cabin.
If it is necessary that the atmosphere in addition to being dust-free, also be sterile, an ultraviolet lamp, mounted inside the chamber, is incorporated as an option.
In case it is necessary to work with toxic products, the hood incorporates a second HEPA filter installed in the air outlet, to avoid the emission of polluting products.
What Is The Purpose Of Laminar Flow Equipment?
A laminar flow equipment basically constitutes a space, which, by means of a specific treatment of the air, allows working in an area with a strict control of non-road particles.
It should be clarified that the purpose results in the protection of the product and / or process but not the operator, which should be considered with what is going to work in a way that allows the selection of appropriate equipment, without risks to the operation. For the personnel that operates.
Laminar flow equipment, in this case, contributes to the recirculation of clean air in the environment where they are, since they have a continuous work of air renewal. Let’s not forget that they take it from their environment, filter it and return it to the environment with an extra stage of absolute filtration, and this process is constant.
How to Buy Laminar Air Flow:
Yatherm is a leading laboratory scientific equipment manufacturer and supplier, which offers Laminar Air Flow Equipment with the following services: maintenance, installation and commissioning, with which we can offer you comprehensive solutions tailored to your needs.
Read more about Horizontal Autoclave and Muffle Furnace by Yatherm scientific manufacturer of scientific equipment.
