A Reverse Laminar Air Flow (RLAF) unit, also widely known as a Sampling or Dispensing Booth, is
specialized cleanroom equipment designed to protect the operator, product, and environment
during the handling of hazardous powders or liquid compounds. Unlike standard laminar flow units
that push air toward the user, RLAF units use negative pressure to draw contaminated air away
from the operator's breathing zone.
Working Principle
RLAF systems operate on a re-circulatory airflow principle. Air is drawn into the unit
through a front opening, passed through multiple filtration stages to capture hazardous
particulates, and then either recirculated as a sterile down-flow or exhausted safely. This
ensures that fine powders or fumes from processes like weighing or dispensing are
immediately neutralized at the source.
Key
Features & Specifications
- 🧼 Triple-Stage Filtration: Typically
includes EU4 Grade pre-filters, EU7 intermediate filters, and H14 HEPA filters with
99.999% efficiency at 0.3 microns.
- 💨 Airflow Management: Maintains a
vertical down-flow velocity of approximately 0.45 ± 0.05 m/s to suppress dust
clouds.
- 📊 Containment Controls: Features
Magnehelic differential pressure gauges to monitor pressure drops across each filter
stage.
- 🏗️ Compliance & Build: Constructed
from Stainless Steel 304 or 316L with coved corners to meet GMP and ISO 14644
standards.
- 🖥️ Monitoring Systems: Advanced models include PLC/HMI-based
controls and real-time alarms for temperature, humidity, and air velocity.
Common
Applications
- 💊 Pharmaceutical API Handling: Safe
sampling and dispensing of potent active pharmaceutical ingredients.
- ⚗️ Chemical Processing: Weighing
hazardous or volatile powders to prevent cross-contamination.
- 🔬 Laboratory R&D: Protecting
researchers from hazardous aerosols or biological specimens.
- 🍱 Food & Nutraceuticals: Ensuring precise and sterile ingredient
handling.
