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Why Choosing a Vertical Laminar Flow Hood is a Better Idea

Jack Ortiz
Published on Jan 22, 2024

Vertical flow hoods are vastly different from horizontal flow hoods in several important ways. It requires separate training for an operator to get the hang of it. Both vertical and horizontal laminar flow units are extensively used in various industries.

There has always been a debate over which variant is best. There are various reasons why vertical laminar flow hoods are best suited for industrial applications. But before we discuss that, let’s see how a vertical laminar flow hood functions.

In a vertical laminar flow hood, the vertical laminar flow is directed into a downward filter attached to the top of the working chamber found above the operative surface. This emphasizes gravitational impact and moves the flow using the front access area to remove particles. The vast majority of them are removed from the box with the help of airflow, with some landing on the enclosed surfaces which can easily be cleaned.

When it comes to the design, vertical laminar flow hoods look exactly like a cleanroom. Both appliances have a filtering component on the upper side. One of the main benefits of laminar flow hoods is that it does not take up considerable space.

Normally, vertical laminar flow hoods are an ideal choice when the laboratory space is limited as the filter is installed on top. Other benefits include easy filter access and a lower amount of turbulence when air comes into contact with large pieces of machinery. It can also compound sterile products.

Advantages of using vertical laminar flow hoods

Because of its design, here are some of the advantages of using vertical laminar flow hoods.

Contamination risk is reduced: In a vertical laminar flow hood, the air flows down from the top of the hood, which minimizes the risk of contamination by keeping away contaminants from the work surface. This greatly reduces the risk of contamination of samples and the environment.

Better operator protection: These types of flow hoods provide better operator protection compared to their horizontal variants. This is due to the airflow being directed downwards and away from the operator’s breathing zone. This is ideal for processes involving the handling of volatile chemicals and hazardous materials.

Reduced turbulence: Because of the design, the vertical flow reduces the turbulence of air. This improves the performance of sensitive equipment and instruments which are used in several manufacturing processes.

Temperature control: Because it uses a downward airflow, these types of flow hoods help in maintaining a consistent temperature across the work surface. Temperature control is very important for tasks involving temperature-sensitive samples.

Now that we’ve talked about the advantages of vertical laminar flow hoods, let’s look at the industries which have decided to leverage those benefits.

Food and beverage: Vertical laminar flow hoods are used in the food and beverage industry for the preparation of sterile culture media and analyzing food samples.

Medical devices: When manufacturing medical devices such as syringes, catheters and implants, vertical laminar flow hoods prove a sterile environment for their assembly.

Electronic appliances: These flow hoods are extensively used in the assembly of microelectronics such as circuit boards and microchips which require a clean environment free of dust and other contaminants.

Biotechnology: Vertical laminar flow hoods are used in biotechnology labs for tissue culture work, preparation of biological samples and cell culture.

Conclusion

Vertical laminar flow hoods are used in many industries where sterile or particle-free environments are needed. To leverage the full advantage of these types of flow hoods, companies should only procure them from certified and licensed manufacturers only.