Air Shower System 

An Air Shower System is a specialized, self-contained chamber installed at the entrances (and sometimes exits) of cleanrooms and other controlled environments. Its primary function is to remove loose surface contamination—such as dust, fibrous lint, and particles—from personnel and materials before they enter the clean space.

By "scrubbing" away these contaminants, air showers help maintain the required cleanliness levels within the controlled environment, significantly reducing the risk of product defects and process contamination.

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How an Air Shower System Works

1.  Entry and Interlock: A person or material enters the chamber through the outside door. The doors are typically interlocked—meaning both the entry and exit doors cannot be opened at the same time—to maintain the pressure seal and integrity of the cleanroom environment.

2.  Decontamination Cycle: Once the entry door is closed and locked, powerful blowers force HEPA- or ULPA-filtered air through numerous adjustable nozzles. This high-velocity air (often 4,000 to 7,000 feet per minute) blasts onto the person or objects from various angles. The force of the air creates a "flapping" or "scrubbing" effect on clothing, effectively dislodging particles.

3. Particle Removal: Personnel are usually instructed to raise their arms and rotate slowly to ensure uniform exposure. The dislodged, contaminated air is then drawn down through floor vents or grates, filtered, and recirculated back into the chamber in a closed-loop system.

4.Exit: After a pre-set cycle time (e.g., 10 to 30 seconds of showering plus a brief purge time), the system automatically unlocks the exit door, allowing the decontaminated person or material to enter the cleanroom.

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Key Components

An air shower system is composed of several critical parts:

• Chamber: The main enclosed structure, typically made from painted steel or stainless steel for durability and ease of cleaning.

• Interlocked Doors: Dual doors equipped with magnetic or mechanical interlocks to prevent simultaneous opening.

• Blowers/Fans: High-performance, motorized units that generate the necessary air volume and velocity.

• Air Nozzles: Strategically placed openings on the walls and ceiling that jet the high-velocity, filtered air.

• Filtration System: Consists of:

  • Pre-filters (to catch larger particles and extend the life of the main filter).

  • HEPA (High-Efficiency Particulate Air) or ULPA (Ultra-Low Particulate Air) filters (to supply clean air to the nozzles).

• Control System (Microprocessor/PLC): Manages the entire operation, including door interlocks, blower timing, cycle duration, and emergency stops.

   

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Applications

Air shower systems are essential in industries requiring strict environmental control to prevent contamination, including:

• Semiconductor Manufacturing 

• Pharmaceutical and Biotechnology 

• Medical Device Production 

• Aerospace and Defense 

• Precision Manufacturing 

• Medical Research Laboratories