Air shower in Pharmaceutical industry

An air shower is a self-contained Chamber designed to blow clean air at personnel and materials entering or leaving a cleanroom. Air showers are commonly used in the pharmaceutical industry to help maintain an ultra-clean environment and reduce particle contamination. In this blog, we will explore how Air Showers can be used in pharmaceutical manufacturing and why they are important for maintaining product quality. We will also look at some of the advantages of using an air shower system in the pharmaceutical industry.

What is an air shower?

Air showers use high-pressure filtered air to blow particles away from the body. Air showers are commonly used in settings where individuals may be exposed to hazardous materials, such as in healthcare or pharmaceutical settings.Air showers work by blowing filtered air over the body at high speeds, which removes any contaminants that may be present on the skin or clothing. The filtered air is then recirculated back into the room, ensuring that only clean air is circulated. Air showers typically last about 30 seconds and may require multiple air showers depending on the level of contamination present.Air showers are an important part of keeping individuals safe from harmful contaminants. They are often used in conjunction with other safety measures, such as wearing protective clothing and using proper ventilation.

Types of air shower in pharmaceutical industry

In the pharmaceutical industry, air showers are specialized enclosures designed to reduce contamination when personnel or materials enter cleanrooms or controlled environments. Air showers use high-velocity, HEPA- or ULPA-filtered air to blow off loose particles and contaminants. The main types of air showers used in the pharmaceutical industry are:

1. Personnel Air Showers

Purpose: Designed for cleaning individuals entering or exiting controlled environments.
Features:
- High-velocity air jets to remove surface particles from clothing and skin.
- Interlocking doors to ensure one-way flow and prevent cross-contamination.
- Timed air shower cycles.
Applications: Cleanrooms in manufacturing areas for sterile drugs or aseptic processing.

2. Material Air Showers

Purpose: Used for decontaminating equipment, tools, or materials being transferred into cleanrooms.
Features:
- Designed with larger chambers to accommodate carts or equipment.
- Automated or manual controls for air shower cycles.
- May include rolling doors for smooth movement of materials.
Applications: Clean transfer of packaging materials, containers, or tools.

3. Tunnel Air Showers

Purpose: Accommodate multiple personnel or large batches of materials simultaneously.
Features:
- Continuous operation for high-throughput environments.
- Extended chambers that act as a passageway.
Applications: High-capacity pharmaceutical manufacturing facilities.

4. Low-Pressure Air Showers

Purpose: For sensitive equipment or materials that cannot tolerate high-pressure air jets.
Features:
- Gentle airflow to ensure no damage to delicate surfaces.
- Customized filtration systems.
Applications: Handling sensitive pharmaceutical materials or electronics.

5. Recirculating Air Showers

Purpose: Designed to optimize air filtration efficiency by recirculating air within the system.
Features:
- HEPA or ULPA filters for capturing particles.
- Recirculation of clean air for cost-effectiveness.
Applications: Environments with frequent use to reduce operating costs.

6. Static or Pass-Through Air Showers

Purpose: For materials or items that require decontamination before entering a cleanroom.
Features:
- Stationary systems with interlocking doors.
- Timed air cycles for thorough decontamination.
Applications: Transfer of documents, small tools, or electronics.

Key Considerations for Air Shower Selection:

Cleanroom Classification: Compliance with ISO cleanroom standards.
Airflow Speed: High velocity (20–30 m/s) for personnel vs. gentle for sensitive materials.
Construction Materials: Stainless steel or powder-coated materials for durability and cleanliness.
Filter Type: HEPA or ULPA filters depending on particle size requirements.

Properly implemented air showers contribute to maintaining the stringent cleanliness required in pharmaceutical production and research environments.

How does an air shower work?

An air shower is an air-cleaning device in which compressed air is used to blow dirt and other particles off the body. It is commonly used in cleanrooms and other controlled environments where contamination must be minimized. Air showers are also used in hospitals and pharmaceutical industry settings where sterile conditions are required.

Compressed air is forced through nozzles at high velocity, which creates a powerful airflow that can remove contaminants from the skin and clothing. A person using an air shower stands in the enclosure and allows the air to blow over their body for a set period of time. Some air showers have timers that will automatically turn off the airflow after a pre-determined amount of time has elapsed.Air showers can be used as standalone units or they can be integrated into larger systems such as laminar flow hoods or cleanrooms. When used in conjunction with other equipment, they can help create an environment that is virtually free of contaminants.

The benefits of Air Showers in the pharmaceutical industry

Air showers have many benefits in the pharmaceutical industry, including:

1. Air showers help to control the environment — by keeping dust and other particles out, they help to maintain a clean and sterile environment which is essential for many pharmaceutical processes.

2. Air showers can improve product quality — by preventing contamination, they can help to ensure that products meet the high standards required by the pharmaceutical industry.

Leading Air Shower Supplier in Pharmaceutical Industry

Accumax India is the leader of Air Showers in many of the Pharmaceutical Industries. With its efficient staff and professionals, this company is serving the customers since from its inception. It has obtained the title of Air Shower Manufacturers in India

Frequently Asked Questions(FAQ'S)

1.What is the purpose of the air shower?

Air showers are specialized enclosed antechambers which are incorporated as entryways of cleanrooms and other controlled environments to reduce particle contamination. Air showers utilize high-pressure, HEPA- or ULPA-filtered air to remove dust, fibrous lint and other contaminants from personnel or object surfaces.

2.What are the different types of air showers?

Different types of Air Showers include: cart, single door, straight, tunnel, L-shaped, S-shaped, U-shaped and three-door air showers.

3.What is the cycle time for an air shower?

This is considered to be the most critical aspect of air shower effectiveness. Studies have suggested that a minimum of 20 seconds is required to properly remove contamination from garments.

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