Clean Room Engineering Overview
Clean room engineering systematically controls airborne particles, bacteria, temperature, humidity, and pressure to provide ultra-clean environments for precision manufacturing (e.g., semiconductors, biopharmaceuticals). Its core objective is to maintain specific cleanliness levels (e.g., ISO Class 1 to 9) for pollution-sensitive production processes.
Key Technologies & Components
-
Air Filtration System
- Uses HEPA (99.97% @ 0.3μm) or ULPA (99.9995% @ 0.12μm) filters with three-stage filtration (pre-filter, medium filter, high-efficiency filter).
- Unidirectional airflow design (vertical/horizontal) ensures uniform air distribution and prevents particle accumulation.
-
Building Structure & Materials
- Walls: Seamless welded stainless steel or color steel panels with rounded corners to eliminate cleaning dead zones.
- Floor: Epoxy self-leveling or anti-static PVC flooring; raised floors for concealed piping.
- Ceiling: Integrated FFU (Fan Filter Unit) with high-efficiency air supply.
-
Pressure & Environmental Control
- Maintains positive pressure (e.g., >15Pa) to prevent external contamination.
- Temperature and humidity control within ±1°C and ±5% RH for semiconductor or pharmaceutical needs.
Cleanliness Classifications & Applications
| Class |
Particle Limit (≥0.5μm/m³) |
Typical Applications |
| ISO Class 1 |
≤1 |
5nm chip manufacturing, lithography |
| ISO Class 5 |
≤3,520 |
Vaccine filling, precision optics |
| ISO Class 7 |
≤352,000 |
Electronics assembly, food packaging |
Construction & Maintenance Key Points
-
Cleanroom Construction Process
- phased construction with cleaning/testing after each stage.
- 3D modeling for optimized piping layout to avoid cross-contamination.
-
Personnel & Material Management
- Air showers for personnel; separate clean/dirty material pathways.
- Cleanroom tools and anti-static packaging minimize secondary contamination.
-
Regular Maintenance
- Real-time particle monitoring; filter replacement as needed.
- Sterilization and cleanroom cleaning (e.g., lint-free wipes, liquid-sealed drains).
Industry Trends & Challenges
- Market Size: Global market exceeds $300 billion in 2024, driven by semiconductors and biopharma.
- Technical Challenges: Corrosion-resistant design in coastal areas (e.g., Qingdao); energy-saving solutions (e.g., variable-speed FFU).