CLEAN BENCH

WHITE PAPER 3002

HOW TO SPECIFY A CLEAN BENCH

By Kevin Weist, president If you’re considering a laminar-flow KEY PRINCIPALS OF CLEAN BENCH
Clean Air Products clean bench to meet ISO or other PERFORMANCE
manufacturing standards for particulate
Clean benches employ two key principals
control, here is what you need to
that are critical to maintaining a
know to select the right horizontal- or
contaminant-free environment — laminar
vertical-flow bench for your application.
airflow and filtration.

A clean bench (also called a laminar flow Laminar airflow

bench or laminar flow workstation) is a Laminar flow refers to a state in which
piece of equipment designed to create a non-turbulent streams of air flow in
micro-environment that meets industry one direction parallel to one another.
standards for particulate control. Clean Laminar airflow is the most efficient
benches range in size from compact option for removing particulate
tabletop versions to larger cabinets. contamination from a controlled area
Many manufacturing environments, because the airflow uniformity and lack
such as semiconductor, pharmaceutical, of turbulence keep clean airstreams from
medical device, food, aerospace and mixing with contaminated airstreams.
nanotechnology production, require that An object being bathed with clean,
products be kept free of particulate turbulence-free, laminar airflow will
contamination. Laboratories and test and remain clean and protected from
inspection areas are also common sites nearby contamination.
for clean benches. Clean benches are a
convenient method of creating a Class Clean benches with either vertical or
100 (ISO 5) or Class 10 (ISO 4) clean air horizontal laminar airflow provide the
environment within a larger work area. cleanest working environments because
HEPA-filtered air within these benches
is unidirectional and turbulence-free.
Clean benches can be used as stand-alone (Unidirectional is airflow having generally
solutions or they can be installed inside parallel stream lines, operating in a single
a cleanroom. It is often more economical direction with uniform velocity over its
to supplement a cleanroom with clean cross section.)
benches to create localized Class 100
Filtration
or Class 10 areas, rather than make the
The air that bathes a product in a clean
entire cleanroom Class 100 or Class 10.
bench needs to be free of contaminants.
When used outside a cleanroom, a clean
This requires filtration. Clean benches
bench does not require a worker to be
are usually classified according to the
gowned, although individuals often wear
number and size of particles permitted
gloves and arm coverings when using a
per volume of air in a specific amount
bench as an extra measure of protection
of time.
against particulate contamination.
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A HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air) Horizontal flow — Horizontal

filter is often used to filter the airstreams airflow is generally best when the
of a clean bench. To qualify as HEPA by work piece has a large horizontal
U.S. government standards, an air filter surface and/or a narrow cross
must remove 99.97% of 0.3 micrometer section perpendicular to the
particles. With the proper airflow and airflow. Horizontal airflow is also
HEPA-filtered air, a clean bench can be well suited for applications in
rated Class 100 or ISO 5 (99.99% are which an individual must work
typically used). directly over the work piece. In
a horizontal flow clean bench
An ULPA (Ultra-Low Particulate Air) filter
there is constant clean airflow
can be used when a Class 10 or ISO 4 Clean Air Products CAP301 Series horizontal
between the work object laminar flow clean bench.
rating is required. An ULPA filter removes
and the worker’s hands or
at least 99.999% of any airborne particles The general-purpose horizontal laminar flow
instruments. When using a clean clean bench is designed to provide Class 10
120 nanometers (0.12 micron) or larger.
bench with a standard 90 LFPM or Class 100 (ISO Class 4 or 5) environments
suitable for laboratories, testing, manufactur-
(Linear Feet per Minute) airflow
CONSIDERATIONS FOR SPECIFYING ing, inspection and pharmaceutical processing.
velocity and a 30 in. work area,
CLEAN BENCHES The clean HEPA-filtered air flow outward from
it takes less than two seconds the cabinet, washing out particulates and
There are many possible configurations for a complete air exchange preventing contamination from entering the
for clean benches. Specifying the ideal work zone.
to occur.
environment for a particular application
A typical horizontal laminar flow
will require careful decisions regarding
workstation has a tabletop and a
airflow, bench design and filtration
three-sided hood. The HEPA filter
options.
is located on the vertical rear
Direction of laminar flow side of the work surface and is
The first decision a specifier of clean susceptible to damage. A secondary
benches faces is horizontal or vertical grill is sometimes needed for filter
laminar flow. Vertical and horizontal protection.
airflow benches each have strengths and Vertical flow — Vertical flow is
weaknesses when it comes to keeping used for a number of reasons but
objects free from contamination. The the size and type of object are
configuration of the work piece and the the primary considerations. Large
nature of the work to be done will impact objects can block the airflow
whether vertical or horizontal is best. in a horizontal laminar flow Clean Air Products CAP412 Series
The challenge is that when an object workstation, creating large areas vertical-flow open-base clean bench.

is placed into an airstream it is not of turbulence on the downstream A vertical laminar flow clean bench creates a
perfectly aerodynamic and will block side of the object. These mini-environment within a cleanroom. The
open base allows the unit to be placed over
some of the airflow creating turbulence turbulent areas often become
existing work tables or equipment. Models range
around itself. Where there is turbulence contaminated as ambient air from open interior to exhausting clean bench
there is a reduced air exchange rate and is drawn in. With vertical flow, with wet process to recirculating temperature
air enters the work zone from control Class 10 system. Clean benches also can
possible mixing with adjacent airstreams.
be used in lieu of a cleanroom; it is sometimes
Turbulence can extend down the air the top and flows downward,
more cost-effective to build a lower-class clean-
steam from the object. Then energy from surrounding the object within the room and supplement it with clean benches
the turbulent area can draw air back work area. Air flows on the front, than to create a higher class cleanroom.

upstream towards the object. sides and rear, bathing the object
on all sides with clean, filtered air.

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Type and positioning of work surface Front shield usage

Careful selection of the clean bench work Vertical laminar flow workstations —
surface and positioning of items on the The front of a vertical flow clean bench
work surface can prevent turbulence and is open and relies on the outflow of air to
inflow contamination. maintain the clean environment. Adding a
rigid or flexible front face shield or front
Horizontal bench options — With a
sliding window will contain the work area
horizontal flow clean bench the work
and help direct the filtered air towards
surface is solid; however, the work
the critical work area. The shield will
piece may be mounted on a platform or
reduce the open frontal area, increase
supports to allow the laminar airstreams
the exit air velocity and help prevent
to bathe the piece on all sides.
infiltration of contaminated, ambient air
Vertical bench options — In a vertical into the clean space.
flow clean bench, laminar flow airstreams
The front shield protects the vertical
may continue down through a perforated
airstreams from the contaminated
or rod-type tabletop. If a solid tabletop is
stationary air just in front of the bench.
used, the airstreams must turn.
If these two air masses come in contact
When using a solid tabletop or a tabletop – one moving and one stationary – a
with minimum perforations, most air turbulent boundary will develop that will
flows out the front of the bench. There result in the two air masses mixing. This
will be some airflow compromise at this mixing will deteriorate the laminar flow.
point since the flow is not completely
Horizontal laminar flow workstations —
unidirectional as it turns toward the
No front shield is needed in a horizontal
front. There also will be an area of
clean bench because air flows out the
turbulence in the rear of the bench
end of the hood creating a wall of air.
between the table top and back panel.
The wall of air extends beyond the end
While this is not ideal, it usually is not
of tabletop making a semi-clean zone
problematic if critical objects are not
directly in front of the clean bench. If
placed in these turbulent areas. The air
contamination is created, everything
will eventually clean itself but not as
upstream of the contamination will
efficiently as in the laminar areas.
remain clean as long as laminar airflow
Adding perforations to the tabletop, is maintained. The only area affected by
the rear of the back panel or to a small the contamination would be that directly
space between the back panel and table downstream of the contamination.
top can minimize the turbulent area. A
perforated or rod tabletop allows the Size/dimensions of clean bench
airstreams to flow through the tabletop The size of the clean bench will be
in a more laminar manner. However, determined by the size and configuration
this reduces the outflow of air at the of the work piece and the nature of
front of the hood making the need for a the work to be done. Also, whether the
front face shield or window even more operator will be sitting or standing will
important (see below). If holes are added impact the table height selected.
to the rear of the hood, care needs to be To minimize turbulence within the clean
taken to ensure that drafts from other air bench, objects should be placed so the
currents do not cross flow through smallest cross section is perpendicular
the bench.

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to the airflow with the air able to Maximum Number of Particles in Air
(Particles per cubic meter )
flow around as much of the object
as possible. If the air path is long Fed-Std Particle Size
ISO 209E
enough, the clean air will regain its Class Class ≥ 0.1µm ≥ 0.2µm ≥ 0.3µm ≥ 0.5µm ≥1µm ≥ 5µm

uniform airflow subject to the size ISO 1 10 2

of the object. As a general rule, ISO 2 100 24 10 4
ISO 3 (Class 1) 1,000 237 102 35 8
when clean air is traveling on two ISO 4 (Class 10) 10,000 2,370 1,020 352 83
sides of an object the air will regain ISO 5 (Class 100) 100,000 23,700 10,200 3,520 832 29
ISO 6 (Class 1,000) 1,000,000 237,000 102,000 35,200 8,320 293
unidirectional flow at approximately ISO 7 (Class 10,000) 352,000 83,200 2,930
ISO 8 (Class 100,000) 3,520,000 832,000 29,300
three times the distance of the
object’s width. If clean air can only Cleanroom classification chart
get at one side of the object, this
distance increases to approximately
six times the object’s thickness.

Clean benches range in size from the hood or side walls of the support
compact tabletop versions to larger frame to eliminate turbulence.
cabinets. Sizes are available from 2 ft. If turbulence exists, the resulting energy
to 10 ft. in width, work area heights can flow along the vertical surface
from 22 in. to 46 in. and table depths up and draw in contaminated air from
to 48 in. outside the bench. (The air will become
A horizontal flow clean bench takes up turbulent if non-moving air comes
more floor space because the filter is in contact with the moving laminar
located behind the unit, rather than on airflow.)
the top as with a vertical flow cabinet. Turbulence is eliminated by having the
Cleanroom class/filtration requirements media edge of the HEPA filter in line with
the edge of the hood or by putting in a
How clean your bench needs to be
secondary grill that diffuses the air so it
depends on the particular operation.
is in shear with the bench’s surfaces.
Government regulations and customer
specifications may be factors in the On a horizontal flow bench this would
decision. exist on all sides – hood, top, sides
and table top. On a vertical flow
Clean room benches are usually classified
cabinet the in shear should be on the
according to the number and size of
sides and front. Face shields help
particles permitted per volume of air in a
the laminar flow direct the clean air
specific amount of time. This is related to
towards the work surface, prevent
not just the quality of the filter, but also
frontal turbulence, maintain higher exit
the airflow within the enclosure.
velocities and help the laminar flow
Class 100 (ISO 5) — Using a HEPA filter fully develop.
does not guarantee that the cleanroom
Class 10 (ISO 4) — Many clean bench
bench interior will be Class 100 (ISO 5).
users need to get to Class 10 (ISO 4), and
You need the proper airflow within the
upgrading to a UPLA filter will typically
bench.
get them there. While an ULPA filter will
With clean benches that need to be Class be more expensive than a HEPA filter, the
100 (ISO 5) or better, the air discharging cost is relatively small considering the
from the HEPA filter must be in line with overall costs of a clean bench system.

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Configuration and construction the front of the cabinet. Contamination

materials options does not get past the front grill because
Clean benches are available a second HEPA filter cleans that air. Some
in a variety of configurations units require this air be 100% exhausted.
and modes of operation with Exhausting the HEPA-filtered air from
additional environmental biosafety cabinets is a secondary
controls available as measure of protection to ensure no
necessary depending on the biological agents within the bench enter
type. the ambient space.

Vertical-flow bench options

— Vertical flow clean benches
BENCH LOCATION
are available in many Where to site a clean bench will be
different configurations, dictated by workflow into, within and
including non-recirculating out of the clean bench and how it
airflow, partial recirculating will interface with other operations.
airflow, or recirculating Additionally, a clean bench should be
Clean Air Products CAP201 Series horizontal airflow with partial exhaust located away from obvious drafts, as
laminar flow clean bench (odors can be controlled well as areas where air velocity will
Horizontal laminar flow clean benches made through charcoal filters exceed 100 ft. per minute (the same
from vinyl-clad steel shell are easy to clean and or 100 percent exhaust). airflow velocity coming out of the
maintain and offer the ultimate in a Class 100 (ISO
5) working environment. Made from high-quality
Exhausting units can be HEPA filter). If outside air is blowing
materials and deigned for a sleek appearance, they made of stainless steel or directly towards the clean bench, it
resist abrasion, corrosion, stains and chemicals as polypropylene. Specialty will blow into the unit and contaminate
well as scratches and scuffs.
vertical flow cabinets are the space.
made of polypropylene
There should be negative pressure
for trace metal analysis or
around the HEPA filter and the location
for applications in which
of the HEPA filter should be compatible
concentrated acids are used.
with future servicing needs. Any physical
Horizontal-flow bench options — restrictions that may affect bringing
Horizontal flow benches are available the bench into the space such as doors,
in vinyl-clad steel, stainless or painted hallways, and other equipment should
steel with myriad options such as an be considered.
ultraviolet lights, extra duplex outlets,
Cleanroom benches can be used inside
pressure gages, removable grills and
a cleanroom or other clean space.
safety glass hoods. Horizontal benches
Class 100,000 (ISO 8) or Class 10,000
can be installed on existing tabletops
(ISO 7) clean rooms can include clean
or ordered with stands or base storage
benches to create Class 100 (ISO 5) or
cabinets.
even Class 10 (ISO 4) areas. With the
Biosafety cabinets — Biosafety cabinets surrounding space clean a clean bench
are a type of clean bench designed for performs better. There is significantly
both product and personal protection. less particulate contamination for the
They are typically used with biological HEPA filter to handle and less ambient
agents. HEPA-filtered air is supplied to contamination threatening to infiltrate
the work space with a slight inflow at into the work zone.

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OTHER CONSIDERATIONS WRAPPING UP

UL listing — Local codes typically Whether you’re considering a clean
require UL listing of installed electrical bench to protect a specific activity in a
equipment. laboratory, testing and inspection area
or on the manufacturing floor — or to
Speed control switch — This blower
supplement an existing cleanroom —
switch will allow adjusting airflow
clean benches can be an ideal solution for
velocity over time.
controlling particulate in a selected work
area. Clean benches can be specified
from a wide range of configurations
and options to achieve a cost-effective
particulate-controlled environment for
any product or process.

About Clean Air Products

Since 1969, Clean Air Products has been designing and manufacturing
high quality cleanroom systems, components, equipment and supplies
for the semiconductor, medical, pharmaceutical and aerospace/military
manufacturing industries, among others. Clean Air Products offers a
broad line of horizontal- and vertical-flow clean benches, with multiple
standard and custom options from temperature control options to
table-top designs. Applications engineering assistance is available for
designing and specifying cleanroom solutions. For more information,
visit www.cleanairproducts.com.

www.cleanairproducts.com
8605 Wyoming Ave. N. • Minneapolis, Minnesota 55445
763.425.9122 • 800.423.9728 • fax: 763.425.2004
e-mail: sales@cleanairproducts.com

© 2017 Clean Air Products. Specifications subject to change. Please contact factory for details. CB-3002