Why Does Every Lab Need Laminar Airflow Workbench?
An airflow workbench has an integrated system of ducts and fans to create an air stream with laminar flow over all surfaces exposed to contamination from contaminants, including liquids and aerosols, for example, liquid nitrogen cold traps or acetone vaporizers. But the workbench, in addition to its load-bearing duties, provides support for the lab technician or technologist during tasks such as assembly, experimentation, inspection, or testing devices or equipment. Take a look at some of the most common uses of the Global Lab Supply laminar airflow workbench in the lab:
- Airflow Workbench for Cleanroom Hoods
Laminar Airflow Workbench systems can be applied in cleanrooms when handling certain sensitive products and materials. These workbenches help to keep such sensitive samples away from airborne contaminants and harmful chemicals. Eventually, it increases the efficiency and accuracy of the results obtained while experimenting with critical materials in cleanrooms.
- Moisture Control In Samples
In laboratories and biology research, samples must be kept dry to prevent contamination caused by either the drying process or the air itself. A laminar airflow workbench can help keep a lab’s moist areas dry. In addition, since they create vacuum space, they work as the best storage space for items that spoil faster. Mostly, food processing and chemical industries use these workbenches on a large scale to prevent any damage due to moisture from the air.
- Control Moisture In Glassware
When testing chemicals that produce moisture in glassware, a laminar airflow workbench can create clean room conditions to avoid contamination and damage to expensive glassware. Also, when handling small pieces and parts such as lighting or similar products, it is easy for a technician to become cross-contaminated with other nearby products if they lose or break while assembled.
- Desiccators
When the room’s moisture level is too high, it can affect experiments. It can even distort results. Laminar airflow workbenches help keep moisture out of certain lab areas. They also serve as storage for small work surfaces and tools used for assembly, disassembly, or cleaning components or products. In addition, these laminar airflow workbenches are commonly used as desiccators to operate on sensitive materials.
- Workplace Safety
The airflow laboratory benches prevent the entry of airborne contaminants such as molds, bacteria, and fungal spores into labs or rooms with sensitive equipment and machinery which can be easily affected by such contaminants. Having workbenches installed at laboratories helps prevent accidental damage and waste of products due to spillage. In addition, they provide perfect space for storing and operating between contagious and reactive elements.
The workbench is the most important item in any laboratory. It is the workhorse that supports equipment and instrumentation. A bench’s design complexity reflects its function and uses within a lab environment.
Original Sources: https://www.fuzia.com/article_detail/709860/why-does-every-lab-need-laminar-airflow-workbench
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