What Is A Purification Air Shower Used For?

Purification air showers have several key components that enable their cleaning capability:

High Velocity Fans

Powerful fans generate strong air currents within the enclosure, creating turbulent air to knock particles loose. Fan size and speed can be adjusted based on requirements.

Air Nozzles

Strategically placed nozzles direct focused blasts of air to exposed surfaces like clothing and skin. The forceful air dislodges contaminants.

Filters

Air is filtered to remove particles during recirculation. HEPA or ULPA filters are commonly used to achieve high levels of purification.

Purification air showers serve several important purposes across industries requiring pristine environments:

Removing Contaminants in Cleanrooms

A major use is mitigating particle tracking in cleanrooms for manufacturing:

Electronics Manufacturing

Air showers prevent dust from ruining sensitive electronics or computer components.

Pharmaceutical Production

Purification maintains sterility for drug manufacturing.

Medical Device Assembly

Air showers eliminate skin flakes, hair and microbes that could contaminate implants or surgical tools.

Preventing Particle Spread in Sensitive Facilities

Healthcare, laboratories and food facilities benefit from reduced contamination:

Research Laboratories

In areas handling pathogens or nano-scale materials, air showers prevent experimental cross-contamination.

Hospitals

Purification minimizes airborne bacteria from spreading infections in surgical suites or ICUs.

Food Processing Plants

Air showers remove debris to uphold food sanitation standards.

Air showers leverage a three-pronged approach to maximize purification:

Using Directed Forced Airflow

The turbulent high-speed air currents dislodge particles from clothing, shoes, equipment and exposed skin by simple but powerful air velocity.

Utilizing HEPA or ULPA Filtration

Air recirculated in the enclosure goes through HEPA or ULPA filters trapping particles down to 0.12 microns or 0.01 microns respectively.

Providing A Physical Barrier

The air shower structure provides a physical segregation between clean and dirty areas, limiting cross-contamination. Interlocked doors prevent both from opening at once.

Installing air showers offers facilities several advantages:

Improved Cleanroom Integrity

Proper purification minimizes the amount of foreign particles being tracked into the clean environment.

Reduced Risk of Contamination

Fewer contaminants entering an area decreases the chances of compromised products or materials.

Better Product Quality Control

Consistent purification safeguards product quality by eliminating many defects and flaws.

Enhanced Personnel Safety

In medical settings, air showers protect staff from hazardous microorganisms and bacteria.

Purification air showers serve the vital purpose of removing harmful particulates from personnel, equipment, and items before entering sensitive clean spaces. The powerful combined use of forced airflow, HEPA/ULPA filtration and physical barriers enable air showers to drastically reduce contaminants. Facilities like manufacturing cleanrooms, research laboratories, hospitals and food plants rely on air showers to uphold purity, improve safety, and control quality. While tacky mats and adhesive rollers have some utility, air showers remain the most comprehensive and reliable purification solution for controlled environments.

Q: How often should air showers be sanitized?

A: Air showers should be cleaned and sanitized daily or as needed based on traffic to prevent microbiological contamination buildup.

Q: What determines the cycle time?

A: The number of air nozzles, air velocity and enclosure size impact the cycle time. More nozzles and higher speeds provide faster air shower cycles.

Q: Can I install an air shower outdoors?

A: Outdoors installation is not recommended due to issues with wind currents and filtration. Air showers work best in enclosed, climate controlled environments.

Q: What kind of maintenance is required?

A: Air showers require filter replacement, cleaning, calibration and regular service checks to maintain proper operation and purification levels.

Q: How long does an air shower last?

A: With proper maintenance, air showers typically last 15-20 years before needing full replacement. Stainless steel enclosures last longer than aluminum.