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What is an Air Shower?

2025-04-21

Latest company case about What is an Air Shower?
Introduction

Air showers are essential contamination-control systems widely used in cleanrooms for food processing, biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, electronics, and semiconductor manufacturing. As a critical entry-point device, an air shower actively removes loose particles from personnel and materials before they enter controlled environments. As a result, it helps maintain cleanroom cleanliness, process stability, and product quality.

This article explains what an air shower is, how it works, its main design types, and the key performance parameters of modern cleanroom air shower systems.

What Is an Air Shower?

An air shower—also known as a cleanroom air shower, personnel air shower, or air shower chamber—is an enclosed buffer space installed between non-clean and clean areas. Its primary role is to prevent dust, fibers, and microorganisms from entering sensitive cleanroom zones.

Air showers are typically used for:

  • Personnel entering cleanrooms

  • Materials transferred into controlled environments

  • Controlling cross-contamination between production areas

By acting as a physical and airflow barrier, the air shower protects downstream cleanroom operations.

Air Shower Working Principle

Air showers remove contaminants using high-velocity, HEPA-filtered airflow. When a user enters the chamber, the system automatically initiates a controlled cleaning cycle.

The process follows these steps:

  1. Entry detection: The PLC system detects personnel entry.

  2. Door interlock: The entry door locks to prevent airflow loss.

  3. High-velocity air jets: Air nozzles release airflow at ≥25–30 m/s, dislodging particles from clothing and surfaces.

  4. HEPA/ULPA filtration: Contaminated air is filtered and recirculated.

  5. Exit release: After the cycle, the cleanroom door unlocks.

Through this controlled sequence, the system ensures efficient particle removal without turbulence.

Air Shower Design Types

Cleanroom air showers are generally available in two configurations:

1. Standalone Air Shower with Safe-Change Filters

This design uses an independent housing structure and allows filter replacement without environmental contamination. Therefore, it is ideal for pharmaceutical, biosafety, and hospital applications.

2. Integrated Air Handling Module Air Shower

In this configuration, the air handling system mounts directly on top of the chamber. Its compact footprint makes it suitable for electronics and semiconductor cleanrooms.

Both designs use adjustable stainless-steel nozzles, with multiple nozzles on each side to ensure consistent airflow coverage.

Airflow Distribution & Nozzle Design

Nozzle layout plays a critical role in air shower efficiency. The system is engineered to provide:

  • 360° full-body airflow coverage

  • Uniform high-velocity air distribution

  • Stable particle removal efficiency

  • Optimized cycle time

Consequently, contaminants are effectively stripped from clothing before personnel enter the clean zone.

Materials & Structural Design

Air shower systems are available in:

  • Stainless steel (SS304 / SS316): Ideal for pharmaceutical and high-humidity environments

  • Powder-coated steel: Cost-effective and corrosion-resistant

Standard features include:

  • Tempered glass doors

  • Door interlocking control

  • Flush interior panels for easy cleaning

  • PLC-controlled LED lighting

These design choices improve hygiene, durability, and operational reliability.

Key Performance Parameters

Typical air shower performance values include:

  • Airflow: 1200 m³/h

  • Fan speed: 2800 r/min

  • Air velocity: ≥25–30 m/s

  • Noise level: <62 dB (measured at 1 m)

  • Power supply: 380V / 50Hz

High-efficiency fans ensure strong airflow while maintaining energy efficiency during frequent use.

Installation Advantages

Air shower systems are designed for flexible installation:

  • On-site final assembly without cranes

  • Components fit through standard doorways

  • Suitable for both new cleanroom construction and retrofit projects

This simplifies deployment and minimizes disruption to existing facilities.

Conclusion

A cleanroom air shower is a vital contamination-control solution for industries that demand strict cleanliness standards. By combining high-velocity HEPA-filtered airflow, reliable interlocking control, and optimized airflow design, air showers significantly reduce particle transfer into clean environments.

Whether used in pharmaceutical manufacturing, semiconductor fabrication, food processing, or biotechnology, a properly designed air shower system enhances cleanroom hygiene, production stability, and overall product safety.

For customized air shower solutions or integration into existing cleanrooms, professional engineering support is essential to achieve optimal performance.