Comparison of the removal of macroparticles and MCPs in cleanrooms by surface deposition and mechanical ventilation

Whyte, W. and Agricola, K. (2018) Comparison of the removal of macroparticles and MCPs in cleanrooms by surface deposition and mechanical ventilation. Clean Air and Containment Review, 35, pp. 4-10.

Abstract

The removal of macroparticles (particles ≥5μm) and microbe-carrying particles (MCPs) from cleanroom air occurs by surface deposition or ventilation. In an operational ISO Class 8 cleanroom, small particles ≥0.3μm and ≥0.5μm are mostly removed by air (>99%). The size where half the particles are removed by deposition and half by mechanical ventilation is about ≥10μm, and 90% of particles are removed by deposition when the particle size is ≥40μm. Results were calculated for other ISO cleanroom classifications, and for particles ≥5μm the percentage deposited on surfaces varied from about 11% to 37%. The percentage of MCPs removed by surface deposition in Grade B, C and D cleanrooms that are graded according to the EU Guidelines to Good Manufacturing Practice (2005), varied from 8% to 26%.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Whyte, Dr William
• Authors: Whyte, W., and Agricola, K.
• College/School: College of Science and Engineering > School of Engineering
• Journal Name: Clean Air and Containment Review
• Publisher: Euromed Communications
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2018 Euromed Communications
• First Published: First published in Clean Air and Containment Review 35:4-10
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced with the permission of the publisher