Choose the right clean room vacuum cleaner
Measurements of cleanrooms have found that dust-removing systems that use disposable fabrics contaminate space twice as much as HEPA-filtered vacuum cleaners. Although raging must be used in many cases, vacuum cleaners are often the most effective method because the particles are mostly attached to the inside of the machine and are not substantially discharged into the air. However, not all vacuum cleaners are suitable, and there are many factors that must be considered when choosing the right clean room vacuum cleaner.
Source of pollution
First, the most important point is to determine what are the common contaminants in the clean room and how to avoid them entering the clean room. The three main sources of common clean room contaminants are: clean room staff, materials and equipment.
Clean room staff. Of course, people are the most common and most difficult source of pollution. Although it is considered to minimize human pollution when designing clean clothing and other clean room-specific clothes, it is impossible to limit behaviors that are beyond control, such as sneezing and coughing. Under normal circumstances, people produce about one million organic particles in the air that exceed 0.5 micrometers per minute during work. In terms of man-made pollution, the best treatment is to wipe with a rag, which can effectively prevent pollutants from entering the clean room.
Material. Cleanroom consumables, such as gloves, masks, rags, mops, hair nets, sterile shoes, HEPA filters, and viscous mats, can be a breeding ground for contaminants without proper precautions. For example, if an employee does not clean the gloves before entering the clean room, everything they touch will be contaminated, including the finished product. The cost of repairing such contaminated things is very high. Furthermore, all consumables used in cleanrooms must be thoroughly cleaned before entering the clean room.
Equipment. Another source of pollution is the existing equipment in the clean room. The vibration of the device is sufficient to decompose the particles and then enter the air.
The most effective way to prevent this type of contamination is to keep all machines as dust-free as possible, which requires the use of a HEPA filter vacuum cleaner.
Vacuum cleaner requirements
When choosing an industrial vacuum cleaner for a clean room, many people are not aware of the importance of vacuum filtration systems. In fact, what you really need is a super filter instead of a vacuum cleaner, and because the filter system of the existing vacuum cleaner is very different, you must find out what you need when choosing a vacuum cleaner that meets your requirements.
First, all vacuum cleaners used in cleanrooms must have HEPA filtration to ensure that 99.97% of particles as small as 0.3 microns are filtered out. In addition, it is important that the HEPA filter be installed behind the motor to filter the airflow. The motor's commutator and carbon brush generate dust, and if the exhausted airflow is not filtered, the dust will go directly into the clean room environment. Please note: not all HEPA filtration systems are the same. For example, a multi-step grading filtration system uses a series of increasingly sophisticated filters that capture particles as they pass through the vacuum cleaner. The largest particles can be captured with a more common filter, and a more sophisticated HEPA filter is used to capture smaller particles. This multi-stage system protects the HEPA filter from blockage and excessive wear and maintains optimum performance. (Once equipped with a ULPA filter, the system can filter all ultra-small particles, with a minimum of 0.12 microns and an efficiency of up to 99.999%). In addition, if your vacuum cleaner filtration system uses an extra-large filter, the airflow ratio is optimized by slowing the airflow through a larger surface area. In this way, the vacuum cleaner can easily take up larger pieces of debris without exceeding a lot of maintenance even after the normal use period.
In addition to these filtration systems, the vacuum cleaner used in the clean room is preferably made of a material that does not generate particles. For example, using a non-porous stainless steel vacuum cleaner with smooth hoses and fittings, workers can quickly wipe and clean the device with a rag to complete cleaning and confirmation faster and easier. Although many vacuum cleaners can withstand the effects of autoclaving, the vacuum cleaner manufacturer must first confirm it before proceeding with this project. Otherwise, it may damage the equipment.
The spill response must also be considered when purchasing a vacuum cleaner. At least one vacuum cleaner can perform both dry and wet operations.
Central vacuum system and portable vacuum cleaner
Another problem that manufacturers often encounter when buying a vacuum cleaner is whether to buy a central vacuum system or buy a few portable vacuum cleaners. Which one is more effective? The following will be an in-depth analysis of this issue from both sides, and it may be easier when you make a decision.
Portable vacuum cleaner. Portable vacuum cleaners are more suitable for cleaning the surrounding area of the work area where people are more polluted and cleaners can effectively clean their area before the end of the shift. Many portable vacuum cleaners are designed to allow both dry and wet operation, while the central vacuum system only draws dry material. They are simple to operate, and portable vacuum cleaners are often used to clean out more remote areas or areas above the head, often in areas where the central vacuum system is out of reach.