The flow of the body of air in a uniform direction and velocity is termed as laminar flow. Following this definition, a laminar flow workstation is a carefully designed station that has the ability to direct HEPA filtered air accurately. Some of these workstations have an added feature of protection against contaminations by the items placed on the work area. The design of a laminar station works against the airflow direction to keep the handler or operator safe. The laminar airflow equipment is available in horizontal and vertical configurations to compensate for the nature of the material placed, or the experiment conducted. The principle of laminar flow first came to limelight in the 1960s and has since become staple equipment for laboratory settings. All types of laminar workstations operate on the same principle: direct airflow into sterility, turbulence reduction, and cross-contamination prevention.
Primary Function of Laminar Workstation
The primary feature of a suitable laminar flow workstation as the app is for various applications, most commonly in settings where an environment of clean, individual air is required for smaller items. The best example of a laminar application is in particle sensitive electronics or laboratory settings where these workstations run specialized applications. These workstations have other purposes ranging from general lab work along with electronics, medical, pharmaceutical, and industrial sectors.
Types of Laminar Workstations
Laminar flow workstations are available in two configurations:
- Horizontal
The air is direct from above that changes direction and then processes it throughout the workstation in a horizontal manner. The constant air supply keeps the material placed inside protected.
- Vertical
This type of configuration works in the same manner as a horizontal laminar flow workstation. The only difference is that the air reaches a vertical mode and then escapes through the base’s holes. This configuration provides sufficient protection to operators.
Advantages of Using Laminar Workstations
The benefits of a laminar airflow workstation depend on the application they boast designs and functionality for a specialized setting. However, some common positions that apply for all workstations are as under:
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Environmental Friendly Features
Perhaps the most advantageous feature of a laminar flow workstation is the eco-friendly functions it possesses. The workstations recycle air in the room and clear the contaminations present at the same time. In short, no harmful air harms the environment outside the laboratory, and filters can be disposed of in landfills without any damage to the surroundings.
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Portability
Another advantageous feature of these workstations is that they are portable. There are no other fixtures present beside power cords, making them accessible and easy to take wherever you want. In the absence of an HVAC system or vents, these devices are smooth to move from one place to another and use accordingly.
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Safety Functions
Laminar flow workstations employ the use of monitoring systems to check the saturation of gas and carbon. There are alarms present with the monitor that can notify of any danger level as per the safety standards.
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Economical
Despite their usefulness and functionality, laminar flow workstations are relatively economical devices. The only maintenance cost required after installation is the replacement of filters annually. There is minimal cost associated with their transportation and assembly.