Laminar Air Flow Chamber

Laminar Air Flow Chamber – A Thorough Buying Guide by Sunnyda.

A closed workstation that is incorporated with the HEPA filter is known as the Laminar Air Flow Chamber. The word laminar means a constant and unidirectional airflow with minimal turbulence. The velocity of airflow doesn’t exceed 0.3 m/s to 0.5 m/s.

It is used to develop a germs-free and pollution-free working environment that assists you in carrying out every kind of specialized work.

The unit is directed to discharge air that can protect your sensitive products and crucial experiments from room contaminants.

Generally, it is designed to protect the semiconductor wafers, biological samples, and sensitive materials from aseptic and non-sterile surroundings.

Its use is rapidly increasing in mushroom cultivation, life science research, microbiology, histopathology, pathology labs, IVF (In Vitro Fertilization), IUI (Intrauterine Insemination), pharmaceutical industries, electronic industries, plant tissue, cell culture, and many more places.

If you are eager to explore more about Laminar Air Flow Chamber, stay along because this buying guide has distilled down the features, uses, specifications, benefits, functions, and almost everything about this useful instrument.

Our goal is to provide you with plenty of information, so you may not get any confusion at the time of its usage.

Testing of a Laminar Air Flow Chamber

What is a Laminar Air Flow Chamber?

A Laminar Air Flow Chamber is an enclosed workbench that is used to develop a contamination-free environment by shrugging off polluted particles. The HEPA filters, which are installed inside it, capture the airborne particles and keep the environment sterile for your experiments.

It circulates air unidirectionally with little or no turbulence, and the velocity remains uniform between 0.3-0.5 m/s.

The working principle is similar to the biosafety cabinet because both pieces of equipment are used to clean up the ambient air by using a filtration process.

Due to its ability to carry out the processes that maintain a clean and sterile environment, its use is widely increasing in industries; the wide range of applications help you install it in pharmacy, research, education, optics, plastic industries, micromechanics, etc.

The most prominent use of this chamber is its working tendency on particular lab experiments that need a clean environment for designing non-toxic and non-hazardous objects.

This efficient, airflow chamber creates a sterile room for a unique environment, which is compulsory for the production of various tiny yet sensitive items. It can also be tailored to make it compatible with certain laboratory conditions.

Sunnyda Laminar Air Flow Chamber 

What are the Major Components of a Laminar Air Flow Chamber?

The following components of the Laminar Air Flow Chamber work together to succeed in performing operations.

Enclosed Cabinet System

The enclosed cabinet system consists of stainless steel, and it develops an enclosed system of insulated air all around the workstation.

It keeps the inner environment aseptic by preventing contaminated air from entering it. At the front, the cabinet contains a sash or glass shield that acts as a sliding door.

Therefore, you can open and close the front door manually, and you can also adjust its opening height according to your requirement.

Working Platform

The working platform is also made up of stainless steel that delivers a space where you can perform different operations or experiments.

The working platform is broad enough, so it offers you a space to place your biological samples or other desired materials easily.

Filter Pad

The filter pad is placed at the top of the vertical airflow unit; while, in the horizontal airflow unit, it is located at the bottom; as far as its performance is concerned, it acts as a primary filter and captures the contaminated air.

The filter pad is designed to trap air particles of size 5 microns or more than it.

Blower or Fan

From the filter pad, the prefilter air goes into the blower, and from the blower, it moves towards the particulate air filter.

The vertical Laminar Air Flow Chamber contains the air blower under the filter pad, but in the horizontal unit, you will find it beside the filter pad; due to the differences of blower location, both types have different directions of airflow.

HEPA Filter

The HEPA filter is a secondary or final filter that provides 99.99% productivity and eliminates 0.3-micron suspended matter and particles.

The HEPA filter is placed in the chamber, and it helps sustain the sterile conditions for the experiments or operations that are being taken.

UV Germicidal Lamp

A UV germicidal lamp is a crucial component; it efficiently sterilizes the chamber and the components like test tubes, Petri plates, culture media, etc.

For this, you are supposed to turn on the UV germicidal lamp for at least 15 minutes before the experiments.

Fluorescent Lamp

A fluorescent lamp gives off the light during the experiment to facilitate you in performing the experiments in an appropriate light.

Pressure Gauge

Magnehelic gauge or pressure gauge monitors the pressures across the HEPA filter.

Prefilters

Prefilters are the primary filter that purifies room air and forward it towards the HEPA filter. The prefilter keeps out the particles 5 µ or above.

Sash

The front sliding door is sash; you can manually open it and adjust its height according to your need.

Pressure Gauge of the Laminar Air Flow Chamber

What are the Prominent Features of a Laminar Air Flow Chamber?

The feature list of a Laminar Air Flow Chamber is pretty long; the most incredible ones are mentioned for you:

• It includes a microprocessor-based control panel.

• The close-fitted and ergonomic design makes it more accessible and manageable.

• It consists of an eye-level and easy-to-operate LCD.

• For comfortable use, it also features a footrest and alarm (activates when there is something unsafe).

• Most often, it comes in ready-to-plug and plays conditions.

• The operating manual eases its use.

• The efficient motor provides a colossal 90 FPM (0, 46 m/s) laminar flow of filtered air.

• Keeps the working area devoid of contamination.

• The working mechanism is simple, precise, and hassle-free.

• Manufactured based on IQ, OQ, and PQ test certificates.

Features of the Laminar Air Flow Chamber

What are the Technical Specifications of Laminar Air Flow Chamber?

Following are the standard technical specifications of the Laminar Air Flow Chamber:

• The Direction of Flow: Horizontal and Vertical

• Air Cleanliness: IS 14644-1 (class: 100)

• Velocity: 90 FPM±20

• Noise Level: 65dB max

• Power Supply: 230V, (10,50 Hz)

• Retention of Particles: 0.3 microns

• Filter: HEPA

• Prefilter: Micro glass fiber with EU-r Rating

Horizontal and Vertical Laminar Air Flow

What are the Applications of Laminar Air Flow Chamber?

You can install the Laminar Air Flow Chamber at multiple places, but some of its popular applications are:

• Microbiology Labs

• Researches for Life Science

• Educational Institutes

• Pharmacies

• Optical Industries

• In Vitro Fertilization (IVF)

• Plant Tissue System

• Pathology Laboratory

• The Electronics Industry, Etc.

Applications of Laminar Air Flow Chamber

What are the Benefits of a Laminar Air Flow Chamber for your Applications?

The benefits of Laminar Air Flow Chamber are application-dependent; still, every workstation boasts in design and functionality.

The most adorable features are stated below:

Environmental Friendly

The most adorable benefit of this workstation is its eco-friendly nature; though it only recycles the air of the place where it is installed, it doesn’t harm the environment outside the laboratory.

Portability

Portability is another advantage of most of the workstations as you can take them anywhere you want.

Due to the absence of HVAC systems and fissures, you can smoothly move them from place to place and perform your specialized functions anywhere you want.

Safety Functions

It is incorporated with a monitoring system that verifies the carbon and gas saturation. If any action occurs against the safety standards, the alarm will notify you about the danger.

Economical

Despite the great usefulness and optimum functionality, you can still get a Laminar Air Flow Chamber at an economical price.

The annual replacement of filters is the mere maintenance cost; the else it requires is a minimal cost for its assembling and transportation.

Portable Laminar Air Flow Chamber 

How to Choose a Suitable Laminar Air Flow Chamber for your Applications?

If you want to pick a suitable Laminar Air Flow Chamber for your applications; verify the following features in it:

• Dimension and size

• The type you want

• Quality of material

• Precision of filters

• The outer surface must be crack-free

• Verify the compatibility between the site and product

• Don’t ignore your available budget

Size of Laminar Air Flow Chamber

What is the Material of a Laminar Air Flow Chamber?

Normally, Laminar Air Flow Chamber is made up of stainless steel; due to this stainless steel material, it looks modern and classy in appearance. Beyond aesthetics, it provides strength, high-resisting, and corrosion-free features.

The purpose of using stainless steel metal as its material is its hygienic nature; this metal has the properties of creating barriers in bacteria and other pathogens growth; this way, your laboratory remains clean, pure, and filtered.

Better yet, due to this metal, the Laminar Air Flow Chamber cleaning, maintenance, and painting are like a breeze.

The other factor that supports creating a particle-free environment is the smooth, joint-free, and gap-free surface of the used material.

Its front door is made up of glass, and it also contains sliding PVC curtains that are great in flexibility.

Stainless Steel Constructions Material of Laminar Air Flow Chamber

What are the Uses of the Laminar Air Flow Chamber?

The Laminar Air Flow Chamber can serve you in many ways round, but the following are the most significant uses:

• If you want to prepare the culture media, using the Laminar Air Flow Chamber is the ultimate option.

• It offers you a safe and sterile workplace where you can perform experiments on sensitive specimens.

• Semiconductor wafers are vulnerable to dust and pollutants, so this unit delivers a particle-free space for its (and other particle-sensitive materials’) production.

• You also get a suitable environment for conducting the different experiments and research in the medical, pharmaceutical, electronic, and industrial sectors.

• When a clean and sterile air environment is required for small items, clean bleach is best to use.

Preparation of Culture Media in a Laminar Air Flow Chamber

What is the Working Mechanism of Laminar Air Flow Chamber?

The working mechanism of the Laminar Air Flow Chamber relies on the efficient particulate airflow system that effectively reduces all the airborne contaminants and maintains a super sterile environment.

Microbiological studies and experiments require an aseptic workstation that is why its use is compulsory in microbiological laboratories.

It doesn’t only include a high-efficiency particulate air filter but two additional elements: fan and filter pad as well. These elements are vital for its working because a fan or blower is designed to suck the prefiltered air which is coming from the filter pad.

Then this pre-filtered air drives through the high-efficiency particulate air filter; this filter removes the impurities like microbes, fungal spores, dust particles, etc.

Consequently, the air becomes cent percent sterile and flows within the working area; this way, you can perform the experiments in your clean and safe environment by using your tools. The most crucial is, the air flows at a uniform speed and in a constant direction, so every material gets sanitized.

Working Mechanism of Laminar Air Flow Chamber

What is the Role of HEPA Filter in your Laminar Air Flow Chamber?

HEPA filter gets rid of aerosols and other harmful particulates; it catches the particles based on the following three mechanisms:

Interception

It is a method of sucking the contaminated particles that adhere to the filter fibers.

Inertial Impaction

When the regular direction of airflow is modified, the big particles will move into the filter fiber and become embedded. This method helps the HEPA filter distill the bigger air pollutants like pollen.

Diffusion

When the particles move in the Brownian movement and interact with other molecules, the HEPA filter traps the microorganisms and other airborne particles within the filter fibers using a diffusion process.

HEPA filter traps smaller particles by the diffusion process but captures large particles via interception and impaction mechanisms.

HEPA Filter of Laminar Air Flow Chamber

How to Inoculate in a Laminar Air Flow Chamber?

Inoculating Laminar Air Flow Chamber is used to convert an unsterilized place into sterilized and aseptic. It is a place that is free from microorganisms and where you can transfer medium and inoculation.

The methodology which is adopted to transfer the inoculum is called the inoculation technique; for instance, smear inoculation, Pin Prick inoculation, etc.

It is used for transferring the different tissue cultures safely. It can also be fabricated by using a thick plyboard clad, an outer laminated sheet, and inner exposed areas; it is also painted with chemical resistance paint.

You can inoculate it by fitting a clear acrylic sheet window, by using fluorescent lighting, and a germicidal ultraviolet tube.

Inoculating Laminar Air Flow Chamber

What Functions Do Germicidal UV Lamp and Fluorescent Lamp Perform in Laminar Air Flow Chamber?

A Germicidal UV Lamp

A germicidal lamp UV lamp is an electric light that is particularly designed to produce a short-wave of ultraviolet C (UVC) light.

The UV light interrupts DNA base pairing and causes the pyrimidine dimers formation, and also associates in making the bacteria, viruses, and protozoans inactivated.

A germicidal lamp also produces ozone that helps in the disinfection of water.

This germicidal UV lamp is a component that is used for autoclaving the working area before you use it.

It is recommended that when the UV lamp is on, don’t contact the chamber meanwhile.

Fluorescent Lamp

The fluorescent lamp is also a major component of the Laminar Air Flow Chamber; it is used to illuminate the working area so all the functions can be performed carefully.

Germicidal UV Lamp of Laminar Air Flow Chamber

How Many Types of a Laminar Air Flow Chamber?

Following are two types of Laminar Air Flow Chamber; both types have several similarities and dissimilarities:

Vertical Laminar Air Flow Chamber

It is manufactured by using advanced technologies that function in a particular manner and aid in removing all the impurities of its surroundings.

• The working principle of a horizontal and vertical Laminar Air Flow Chamber unit is pretty different because the vertical one consists of a fan that is on the ceiling of the cabinet. Through it, the contaminated air goes through the vertical fan and is directed in a vertical direction (from upside to downward) with positive pressure.

• The illumination block resists airflow turbulence.

• Its coloring is done with powder enamel, which is powered to resist the disinfection solution.

• The LCD of the control unit represents the system switching, the possible malfunctions, the operation mode, and the technological timer of devices.

• In addition, it is also incorporated with the electronic shield panel that can be operated easily for filtering the environment.

• The UV light module is used to make the clean bleach and its surface aseptic.

• Typically, it has a width that ranges from 0,9-2,4 m and delivers excellent protection against microorganisms but uses less operational and floor space.

In a nutshell, this innovative type is equipped with all machines, technologies, economic systems, and it is designed on the modern state-of-the-art. Additionally, it provides better safety from harmful chemicals.

Vertical Laminar Air Flow Chamber

Horizontal Laminar Air Flow Chamber

When the air comes from the back of the chamber, it passes through a blower and then pushes towards the HEPA filter.

Later, the filtered air is projected horizontally to the workplace environment and eventually to the Laminar Air Flow Chamber.

The workplace of horizontal airflow deodorized the environment with a constant velocity; furthermore, it requires more depth and a larger operational space for delivering a decontaminated and fumigated environment.

In this type, the air flows parallel to the workspace and cleanses the workstation with a steady flow of air. The discharge air of this unit hits the user’s face straight away.

What are the Differences Between a Horizontal and Vertical Laminar Air Flow Chamber?

Both types of Laminar Air Flow Chamber are different from each other, and the vertical unit is preferable by the experts.

However, the following are the actual differences between both of the chamber types:

• A vertical airflow chamber does not require much depth and floor space; therefore, it is easier to manage than a horizontal one.

• Moreover, if you compare the horizontal and vertical Laminar Air Flow Chambers, you will find the vertical one safer because it prevents the air from blowing towards the face of the one who is conducting the experiments.

• The front sash resists the fumes and prevents the users’ faces from a direct attack of the effluent fumes and chemicals.

• Due to the placement of the filter at the top, the vertical chamber is more rapid and straightforward than the horizontal one.

• As compared to the horizontal airflow units, the vertical ones have less turbulence and are more unidirectional.

The extra benefit of a vertical unit compels the users to grab it, and without any doubt, it leads the horizontal airflow laminar unit in many ways.

Horizontal Laminar Air Flow Chamber

What are the Dos and Don’ts of the Laminar Air Flow Chamber?

A Laminar Air Flow Chamber must be used with precaution if you are concerned about its serviceability and want to promote its longevity.

Below, some of its dos and don’ts are being presented to give a better idea.

Dos

Sanitize, Before you Enter and Leave

Unfortunately, human traffic is a common source of contamination, so when they touch a product, the germs transfer to the product.

An essential purpose of the Laminar Air Flow Chamber is maintaining the hygiene where it is placed. Despite this maintenance, the person shouldn’t enter it without properly sanitizing their hands and arms.

To eliminate the germs and bacteria from your hand, handwashing is compulsory before entering and exiting the workbench.

Proper Arrangement

Arrange the furniture, equipment, and all other things meticulously so that the laminar workstation can support the ultimate sterility.

Keep the direction of all the products towards the HEPA filter, so the filter can properly bath with air.

Avoid Squirting Solution on your Filters

To prevent contamination, you should avoid squirting and splitting liquids; moreover, you are also supposed to keep the air downstream clean.

Keep the Movement Minimum

To maintain sterility, you should also reduce the activities inside the Laminar Air Flow Chamber.

Unnecessary movements should be avoided as they can generate particulates that can disrupt the laminar airflow.

Silence should be maintained near the workbench; however, if talking is inevitable, step aside from your workbench, talk, and then return.

Disinfect your Materials

To avoid any possible chance of contamination and for upholding hygiene 24/7, you should only place sterilized clean materials and objects inside the workstation.

Properly Arranged Material in a Laminar Air Flow Chamber

Don’ts

Avoid Keep Waste Inside

If there is any waste, dispose of it far away; avoid keeping any kind of garbage inside because it can cause turbulence in the cleanliness process of your environment.

Don’t Wear Accessories

The most common mistake that the staff commits is wearing accessories, watches, and jewelry inside the laminar airflow unit.

It is difficult to properly sanitize these objects, and they can house a lot of bacteria and germs at any time. Moreover, their metals and materials can cause a change in the desired output of the process.

Never Use Disinfected Materials

Materials and objects that are not fumigated can promote contamination into the clean workbench; thus, defying such products is far better than creating any turbulence.

Avoid Ampoules and Syringes

Prohibit the use of ampoules and syringes because they contain salt solutions; this salt solution can damage the HEPA or ULPA filters if once deposited over them.

Don’t Put the Larger Objects at the Front

When you place the larger objects at the front, they interrupt the airflow pattern and impurify everything downstream; hence, for the safe side, place the bigger objects at the back.

What are Standard and Optional Fitting Options of a Laminar Air Flow Chamber?

There are a few standard fittings that are available in almost every Laminar Air Flow Chamber, but there are many optional fittings, too, that are installed according to the users’ customization demand. And, the list of those fittings are:

Standard Fittings

• Air or Gas Cock

• Mains Switch for On and Off

• The Light Switch for On and Off

• UV Light On and Off Switch

• On and Off Switch of Blower

Optional Fittings

• Footrest

• Motorized Sliding Door

• UV Lamp

• UV Hour Meter

• Magnehelic or Air Pressure Gauge

• Extra Power Outlet Switch

• Leveling Lugs for Stand

• DOP (Dispersed Oil Particulate) HEPA Filter Testing

• LCD Display (to Display the Time, Velocity, and Lamp On/Off)

Heavy Duty Blower of Laminar Air Flow Chamber

What Precautionary Measures Should be Taken When you are Inside your Laminar Air Flow Chamber?

The following are the SOPs that you need to consider when you are in Laminar Air Flow Chamber:

• Don’t turn on the UV light when you are inside the clean bleach; if you want to turn the ultraviolet light on, you should exit the laboratory immediately.

• Using a UV lamp and blower at one time can create numerous health risks, so avoid it.

• Sterilize the workspace of the surface and sash it before and after the experiment; you can use ethyl alcohol for its cleaning.

• When you are performing the experiments, never forget to wear a mask, lab coat, and long gloves.

• Tabletop, wall, and glass shields should also be sterilized.

• Sterilizing the products with a HEPA filter is not enough; you are also supposed to sterilize the working unit with UV irradiation.

Sterilization of Laminar Air Flow Chamber

What Actions Do you Need to Perform Before Starting your Work in the Laminar Air Flow Chamber?

Before you begin your work in your Laminar Air Flow Chamber, you need to perform the following actions:

• Don’t forget to turn on the blower.

• Run the blower for 30 minutes constantly.

• Must wipe out the area to make it sterile and purified.

• After every 30 minutes, you again need to wipe out the aseptic area using kitchen paper from an alcohol-soaked piece.

• An important parameter is to ensure that the HEPA filter is removing all airborne materials.

• The recommended airspeed in the working area is between 0.3 m/s to 0.5 m/s.

Wear Proper PPE Before Using Laminar Air Flow Chamber

Conclusion.

Laminar Air Flow Chamber features huge benefits and an extensive application list due to its ability to diminish the chances of airflow obstruction as well as the collection of polluted air downstream.

Its use is widely exceeded in every kind of laboratory for developing and maintaining an antiseptic and contaminant-free working atmosphere.

To avail of these benefits, it is crucial to take the selection process seriously and grasp the right blend of quality, features, and performance.

However, you can read this guide from start to end because it covers a piece of detailed information about the Laminar Air Flow Chamber.

CE Certified Prime Quality Laminar Air Flow Chamber