FFUs For You

FFUs For You
Cleanroom HVAC systems, especially those requiring fan filterunits(FFU) for recirculating air, typically account for a largeportionof energy use in cleanrooms.

Performance of HVAC systems varies significantly fromcleanroomto cleanroom largely because of various factors, suchascontamination control requirements, air handling unit designs,airsystem resistance, and efficiency levels offered bysystemcomponents. Studies have uncovered energy-savingopportunities inmany cleanroom applications, and that optimizingaerodynamicperformance in air recirculation systems appears to be ausefulapproach to improve energy efficiency in cleanrooms.

Because of their ease of installation, adaptability, andspecificcontamination control schemes, FFUs are being used moreand more inair recirculation systems in cleanrooms. The largenumber of smallfans can consume considerable energy in providingair recirculation.Therefore, understanding the performance of FFUsis important andcan help to promote best practices in cleanroomdesign andoperation. To date, typical manufacturer’s data sheetsusuallycontain claims that are seemingly similar; however, theyusually donot reveal test methods, if they exist at all.Furthermore,statements of performance data that include power,airflow, andsound are commonly vague and could be misleading.

In recent years, industries have shown growing interest inhavinga uniform method for testing and reporting FFU performance.LawrenceBerkeley National Laboratory (LBNL) is performing researchtoimprove energy efficiency in contamination control facilitiessuchas cleanrooms. The project goal is to develop a standardtestingmethod for evaluating the performance of an FFU.FFUs For Yࢩ