Vertical Laminar Flow Hood

Vertical Laminar Flow Hood: The Complete Guide

The Zonsteel vertical laminar flow hood working area is made of stainless steel 304. The shaped is formed by using a CNC-bending machine. It why you end up with the inner corners having an arc shape. The shape makes the product east to clean and prevent bacteria collection.

Surface treatment is also an option either by brush polishing or electropolishing. The makes the hood to gain better corrosion-resistance and a nicer look. The external material is powder epoxy-coated steel.

The tabletop is perforated stainless steel, designed for air to go through.

The air blower is important, Zonsteel uses high residual pressure and a low-noise blower. The blower offers stable air flow at 0.45 m/s.

Other components of a vertical laminar flow hood are UV-light, differential pressure gauge, a control panel, both sides have a tempered glass panels, socket for instruments, anti-dust socket two units, universal wheels, and adjustable legs.

Zonsteel vertical laminar flow hood will have options such as a one-station and two stations. Size options include 970x770x1800mm and 1460x770x1800mm. You may customize other size as per your application.

The deliver time is usually 15-20 days.

You also get a one-year warranty and lifetime technical support for vertical laminar flow hood. Contact us today to start equipping your cleanroom.

Vertical Laminar Flow Hood: The Complete FAQs Guide

Sometimes there is a need to create a clean environment where you can carry out some experiments and other applications. To make this possible, a vertical laminar flow hood is necessary.

There are many things you can achieve by using a vertical laminar flow hood. So, keep reading this FAQ guide to learn more about what to expect with such a product.

What is a Vertical Laminar Flow Hood?

Figure 1 A Vertical Laminar Flow Hood

A vertical laminar flow hood is essential for maintaining a clean work area with the absence of particulate contamination. This is done by providing a constant airflow over the surface to maintain a contaminant-free.

It is called a vertical laminar flow hood because of the design and the direction of the air over the surface. In this case, the air flows downwards as it is pumped from the top of the hood.

What is Laminar Flow?

Laminar flow means that the airflow within the entire body of the designated space remains at a uniform velocity and direction. So, if it is a vertical laminar flow hood, the direction and speed are maintained throughout. The same applies to the horizontal laminar flow hoods.

Laminar flow is incorporated in laminar flow hoods to help in creating clean enclosures important for multiple applications. Due to their operation principle, the laminar flow hoods are commonly used when working with semiconductors, biological samples, and many other sensitive materials.

What are the Properties of the Zonsteel Vertical Laminar Flow Hood?

The properties generally make it easier for you to know what you will get from a vertical laminar flow hood. Here are some of the notable properties of the Zonsteel vertical laminar flow hood.

✧ The vertical laminar flow hood has a class 100 or ISO 5 classification. This will make it ideal for working in different environments such as food processing, bioscience, aerospace, research, and more. It is easy to see that the vertical laminar flow hood is versatile.

✧ The model is fitted with a low resistance HEPA filter. This kind of filter will remove 99.99% of the particles of size 0.3 microns. As a result, it is easy to maintain a clean work area for different projects.

✧ The use of stainless steel material to make the vertical laminar flow hood leaves you with a quality product overall. You will never have to worry that your vertical laminar flow hood would start to breakdown in a few months.

✧ The use of a CNC bending machine generally makes the corners better. Also, it becomes hard for bacteria to attach to these corners. As such, you never have to worry about contamination in your laminar flow hood.

✧ Having tempered safety glass on the side panels helps with visibility while at the same time, maintain the integrity of the clean work area.

✧ There is also the presence of a UV light crucial for disinfection. Zonsteel always takes an extra mile to maintain the overall integrity of the clean work area of the vertical laminar flow hood.

Where Best Can You Use the Vertical Laminar Flow Hood?

The vertical laminar flow hood is a versatile product to own. Most people would use it in industries such as research, manufacturing, bioscience, aerospace, and food processing.

As you can see, a vertical laminar flow hood would be necessary for the following scenarios.

– In laboratories where there is the need to handle sensitive processes such as plant tissue culture

– In labs where you need to handle media plate preparation and organisms’ culture

– When working on sensitive electronic devices. They can be hard drives that do not need exposure to contaminants

– Operations involving drug preparations. The particulate-free environment is necessary to maintain the integrity of the drugs.

The list of applications can go on for long. So long as there is the need for a clean work area, it is best if you consider getting yourself a Zonsteel vertical laminar flow hood.

The Vertical Laminar Flow Hood is Created for ISO 5 Environment. What Does That Mean?

Figure 2 Illustration of an ISO 5 Cleanroom

This means that the air cleanliness of the vertical laminar flow hood is of the highest quality. It is one of the top-rated clean areas compared to the other classifications. It is mostly achieved by using the HEPA or the ULPA filers, ensuring that the work area maintains a high level of cleanliness.

The ISO 5 clean area also needs a unidirectional airflow. That is something you will get with the vertical laminar flow hood. The air will sweep across the filters and down the hood at a velocity of 0.45m/s Upon exiting the hood, the air sweeps the hood’s contaminants, leaving you with a clean working area.

Before a laminar flow hood is rated as an ISO 5 environment, it has to live up to the stringent classifications. It is why an ISO 5 zone needs 240 to 360 air changes per hour to help maintain its cleanliness.

Zonsteel is a top brand when it comes to making high quality vertical laminar flow hoods. You can buy them today knowing they would maintain the features of class 100 or ISO 5 clean area.

How Does The Vertical Laminar Flow Hood Work? Is it Effective?

Figure 3 How a Vertical Laminar Flow Hood Works

The vertical laminar flow hood works by pushing the room air into the system past the HEPA filter using a fan. The HEPA filter is crucial for removing up to 99.99% of the particles in the air before it is forced down into the work area.

Since the fan filter unit is placed on the top of the vertical laminar flow hood, it becomes easier to direct airflow downwards. This also reinforces the effect of gravity; thus, it is easier to achieve quick results.

The air sweeps across the work area and exits from the front panel. This leaves you with a clean working area to use for various applications.

Looking at whether it is effective or not, we find it is ideal for various applications. It is why the vertical laminar flow hood remains a popular option.

What is the Purpose of the Primary Filter in the Vertical Laminar Flow Hood?

Any system containing a HEPA filter will always have a primary filter. The reason is that the primary filter is important for removing the large particles that might otherwise end up clogging the HEPA filter. As such, this will largely improve the overall lifespan of a HEPA filter.

Since the primary filter would be trapping the large particles, it is best if you replace it more often to prevent dirt from accumulating in the system.

The HEPA filter is also Part of the Vertical Laminar Flow Hood. How Can You Maintain It?

Since HEPA filter is important in a vertical laminar flow hood, it is important to know how best to maintain it.

It is advisable to replace the HEPA filter rather than cleaning it. However, sometimes it is still possible to clean the HEPA filter to continue using it.

Before you can clean the HEPA filter, there are a few things to keep in mind. Make sure that your filter can be washed. It is why you can get most HEPA filters being marked as washable or permanent.

A washable HEPA filter for a vertical laminar flow hood is one that can be cleaned by rinsing it under cold water. Make sure not to touch the filter material. Also, you have to allow it to completely dry before installing it into the vertical laminar flow hood.

There will be some special instructions to consider too. Always look at what Zonsteel recommends on the maintenance of the HEPA filter.

If you find the filter marked permanent, then you can only clean it gently using a vacuum cleaner. The vacuum cleaner will suck away as much dust and debris as possible. Such filters should not be exposed to water.

Now that you know how to maintain the HEPA filter ensure that your vertical laminar flow hood is always in the right working condition.

What are the Components of a Vertical Laminar Flow Hood?

Figure 4 Several Operators Using Vertical Laminar Flow Hoods

Understanding the different components of a vertical laminar flow hood will help you learn more about its operation. Here are the most referenced components.

– The cabinet

The cabinet is the vertical laminar flow hood enclosure. It would be made of high-quality stainless steel with fewer joints. The aim is to prevent the collection of spores in those joints that might affect the integrity of the vertical laminar flow hood.

The front and sides will have a tempered glass material. This helps with visibility and still protects the interior of the laminar flow hood from any contamination.

The opening to get into the hood is on the front panel. This allows the operator to insert the hands and other essential research materials into the vertical laminar flow hood.

– Working area

This is the flat surface where all the processes are handled. The work area will be the cleanest and most sterile position in the vertical laminar flow hood.

It is mostly made of stainless steel to maintain cleanliness and prevent rusting too.

– Filter pad

This is also regarded as the pre-filter. This is the first filter the air encounters before reaching the HEPA filter. Its work is to trap the large dust particles and some microbes to prevent them from getting into the working area.

– Fan

As the name suggests, the fan is important for moving the air around the cabinet. It is also responsible for maintaining the flow of air at a constant speed, depending on the application.

– UV lamp

The UV lamp is essential for sterilizing the cabinet interior and other contents before you can start using the vertical laminar flow hood. This UV lamp needs to be turned on 15 minutes before the start of the operation.

– Lamp

It can be a fluorescent or LED lamp set up in the cabinet. Its work is to provide more light so that you can see better when working on a project.

– HEPA Filter

The HEPA filter is a high-efficiency filter that removes 99.99% of the particulates in the air. As a result, it will make the environment more sterile for the different applications you might have in mind.

The filter is also important for trapping fungi, bacteria, and more. It is why such an environment would be ideal for sensitive experiments.

What are the Size Options for a Vertical Laminar Flow Hood?

There are several size options that Zonsteel offers as a vertical laminar flow hood. It depends on the model that you pick. The common models are CBZS-V-01, CBZS-V-02, CBZS-H-01, and CBZS-H-02.

Zonsteel is ready to provide you with a full catalog showing any additional information you would like to know about vertical laminar flow hoods’ size options.

As the size changes, the HEPA filter size also changes. Do not worry, as Zonsteel will guide you better to pick the right HEPA filter for the job.

What are the Important Vertical Laminar Flow Hood Cleaning Tips Should You Know?

Start the cleaning process by cleaning the back wall of the vertical laminar flow hood. This is then followed by cleaning the side walls. Ensure to use a sweeping motion from left to right, starting from the top to the bottom.

Lastly, you have to clean the work surface as it is at the bottom of the laminar flow hood. Start at the back of the hood and work your way up to the front.

When cleaning the vertical laminar flow hood, use a new cloth for each of the walls. Always clean starting from the back to the front and top to bottom.

With such cleaning tips, you will now end up with a clean working area to conduct contaminant-free research or any other related application.

How Often Should a Vertical Laminar Flow Hood Be Inspected for Better Performance?

Figure 5 A HEPA Filter from a Vertical Laminar Flow Hood

It is advisable to inspect the vertical laminar flow hood every six months. At this point, you are looking at the various components to see if they are still in good working condition.

The filters are the major parts that will need replacing every six months. Inspect and test the HEPA filter, ensuring it is still working as expected. If not, it is time to replace the HEPA filter with something new and better.

You can still replace a broken lamp, a faulty fan, and so much more. This inspection is all about leaving your flow hood in good working condition generally.

What is the Recommended Airspeed for a Vertical Laminar Flow Hood?

As mentioned earlier, airspeed is important for the performance of a vertical laminar flow hood. The Zonsteel models will have a rated wind speed of 0.45m/s ± 20%. This is within the recommended range to ensure no contaminants stick to the work area.

Where Can You Get Vertical Laminar Flow Hood for Sale?

Zonsteel is a perfect example of a place to find yourself the best vertical laminar flow hood for sale. The team at Zonsteel will also guide you to fully understand the right vertical laminar flow hood to choose from, considering there are many options.

Also, Zonsteel performs overseas shipping. This means that you never have to worry about the product getting to you.

Conclusion

So far, it is easy to see why someone would opt for a vertical laminar flow hood. Many find it a great choice since it helps them handle their experiments or research better and in a contaminant-free environment.

Get in touch today with Zonsteel to see what can be an ideal option for you to consider. The team is ready to help you right away!