Uses of Laminar Flow Clean Benches in the Laboratory
The laminar flow clean bench, also known as laminar flow hood, is a work bench or similar enclosure which has its own filtered air supply
The clean bench was developed as an adjunct to clean room technology (the need to protect the work from contamination).
The clean bench provides product protection by ensuring that the work in the bench is exposed only to HEPA-filtered air. It is recommended for work with non-hazardous materials where clean, particle-free air quality is required. It does not provide protection to personnel or to the ambient environment, nor is it designed to contain aerosols generated by the procedure; the user is exposed to these aerosols.
What is Laminar Airflow?
A common attribute in clean bench technology is laminar airflow. Generally defined, laminar airflow is airflow in which the entire body of air within a confined area moves in a unidirectional velocity along parallel flow lines.
The clean bench or “hood” is a work area with its own HEPA-filtered air supply. Protection is provided by capturing room air, passing the air through a HEPA filter, and directing the filtered air horizontally across the work surface at a constant speed toward the user.
In a horizontal laminar flow clean bench, room air is drawn into the base of the hood by the blower/motor, through a washable, reusable pre-filter. The air pushed up the rear plenum of the hood passes through the HEPA filter. Filtered air is directed horizontally across the work surface at a constant velocity of 100 FPM toward the user.
For more information, visit our Introduction to Clean Benches page on our website.
