Aircuity Launches Adaptive Airflow Application for Cleanrooms
Dan Diehl
Image Credit: Aircuity
Aircuity announced the launch of its Adaptive Airflow Application for Cleanrooms for life science organizations.
To learn more, Lab Design spoke to Dan Diehl, the CEO of Aircuity, about the cleanroom application and its sustainable features.
Q: Could you please introduce yourself?
A: I am Dan Diehl CEO of Aircuity and Managing Partner of Thrive Buildings, a turnkey lab airflow optimization company. I have been in the industry for over 25 years and worked in a wide variety of vertical markets and disciplines in commercial and light industrial building markets. Before joining Aircuity and helping to found Thrive, I led business development at Lutron Electronics, was a Partner for six years with Synergy, and also spent 11 years at Johnson Controls, Inc. I received a BSME from the University of Maryland and an MBA from Villanova University.
Q: Why are cleanrooms the most energy-intensive spaces per square foot?
A: Cleanrooms use extremely high air change rates (ACH) to maintain the cleanliness standards set by governing bodies for the different ISO classifications. To maintain particle PPM thresholds very high filtration and very high ACH are used. Doing so requires high fan energy and higher heating and cooling costs as well.
Q: What is Aircuity's cleanroom application and how it can benefit a facility?
A: Put simply there are three ways that Aircuity’s cleanroom application benefits a facility:
Aircuity provides adaptive airflow – matching ventilation rates with the needs of the space.
Data is always available due to the continuous monitoring versus a “spot checking,” that was done previously.
Matching ventilation with conditions and standards within the space results in significant energy savings and decarbonization of the facility.
Q: How do the cleanroom applications help clients achieve net zero?
A: Cleanrooms are the most energy-intensive facilities per square foot for most life sciences clients. Varying the ACH based on demand saves significant energy use which directly equates to a reduction in operating emissions.
Q: How will the cleanroom application provide adaptive airflow for cleanrooms? How does it allow for carbon reduction, energy savings, and controlled IAQ?
A: By actively monitoring particles we are allowing it to operate at a minimum when air is clean and raising air change rates higher when there is a call for it. It is understood that particle events occur on a periodic basis versus continuously so you want to match ventilation levels to the times when the particles are being generated.
Q: What data methods did Aircuity adopt for the cleanroom applications?
A: We are providing readings of particle levels from space and calculated energy savings by monitoring fan power and heating and cooling requirements. Clients can track particles to make sure they meet ISO classification levels along with tracking energy savings.
Image Credit: Aircuity
