Emerging Technologies in Room (Suite) Pressure Control,
Performance Modeling and Design Practices
Wei Sun, P.E.
ASHRAE
Principal, Director of Engineering
Engsysco, Inc.
Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
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Emerging Technologies in Room (Suite)
Pressure Control, Performance
Modeling and Design Practices
___________________________________
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Presented by
Wei Sun, P.E.
ASHRAE
Clean Spaces Technical Committee (TC9.11) Chairman
Healthcare Facilities Technical Committee (TC9.6) Member
Laboratory Systems Technical Committee (TC9.10) Member
Principal, Director of Engineering
Engsysco, Inc.
Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
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Engsysco
___________________________________
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[Link]
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Introduction
Room Pressurization Technique
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Purposes
Direct desired flow patterns
Isolate airborne cross contamination
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Definition
A technique that air pressure differences are created
mechanically between rooms to introduce intentional air
movement paths through room leakage openings. These
openings could be either designated, such as doorways, or
undesignated, such as air gaps around doorframes or other
duct/piping penetration cracks.
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How to achieve
It can be achieved by arranging the controlled volumes of
supply, return, and exhaust airstreams to each room within the
space.
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Introduction
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Basic Rules
Air connection between two adjacent
rooms is through connecting opening(s).
If a door between two rooms is open, the
doorway will be the main designated flow
path.
If the door is closed, then the leakage will
be through undesignated paths, such as
air gaps along doorframes, joints, pipe
and duct penetrations and gaps around
ceiling panels etc. Most of these
controllable cracks (except for operable
doors) in typical controlled spaces are
required to be permanently sealed.
P1 > P2
Room 1
Room 2
RA1 + EA1
RA2 + EA2
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Leakage Flows
Door Closed
P1
SA1
SA2
P2
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P1 > P2
Room 1
Room 2
RA1 + EA1
RA2 + EA2
Leakage Flows
Door Opened
P1
SA1
SA2
P2
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Introduction
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Basic Rules
To Achieve P1 > P2 ,
Room 1
SA1 > (RA1+EA1), and
SA2 < (RA2+EA2)
Room 2
RA1 + EA1
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RA2 + EA2
SA1 = (RA1+EA1) + Q
SA2 + Q = (RA2+EA2)
Leakage Flow
Q is the leakage (transfer) air
from Room 1 to Room 2, if
both rooms are tightly sealed,
except for the opening
between rooms.
Leakage Opening
SA1
P1
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SA2
P2
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Introduction
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Relationship between Leakage Flow, Leakage Area
and Pressure Drop across Leakage Path
The pressure drop (differential)
across an opening (either a crack
or a doorway) is strongly related
with the leakage opening size
(effective leakage area) and
leakage flow through the opening.
To quantitatively achieve a
desired room pressure (or,
pressure differential between
rooms), leakage openings and
respective leakage airflows need
to be studied together.
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Room 1
Room 2
RA1 + EA1
A
Leakage Area
SA1
P1
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RA2 + EA2
Q
Leakage Flow
SA2
P2
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Pressure Differential
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Airflow through Leakage Opening
Power Equation: (Esq.. 1)
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Room 1
Room 2
RA1 + EA1
RA2 + EA2
Q = C (P )n
Leakage Flow
P1
SA1
SA2
P2
where
Q = volumetric flow rate
P = pressure drop across opening
C = flow coefficient
n = flow exponent
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Leakage Area
Pressure Differential
CFM (L/s)
in. of water (Pa)
CFM/(in. of watern) (L/s/Pan)
dimensionless
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Airflow through Large Designated Opening
Orifice Equation: (Esq.. 2)
Room 1
Room 2
RA1 + EA1
Q = 2610 A P
(I-P unit)
Q = 840 A P
(SI unit)
RA2 + EA2
Q
Leakage Flow
P1
SA1
SA2
P2
Pressure Differential
volumetric flow rate
pressure drop across opening
large designated opening area's)
unit conversion factor
unit conversion factor
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Leakage Area
where
Q
=
P =
A
=
2610 =
840 =
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CFM (L/s)
in. of water (Pa)
ft2 (m2)
dimensionless (I-P unit)
dimensionless (SI unit)
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Orifice Equation is more popularly used in design community
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Air Leakage Rate vs. Pressure Difference for
Various Leakage Areas (Based on Orifice Equation)
2,000
Leakage Area
(Sq. in.)
1,800
1,700
380
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360
340
1,600
320
1,500
Leakage Flowrate (cfm)
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400
1,900
300
1,400
280
1,300
260
1,200
240
1,100
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220
1,000
200
900
180
800
160
700
140
600
120
500
100
400
80
300
60
200
40
20
100
0
0
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0.005 0.01 0.015 0.02 0.025 0.03 0.035 0.04 0.045 0.05 0.055 0.06 0.065 0.07 0.075 0.08
Pressure Differential Between Rooms (in.)
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Leakage Area Value Determination
Large designated openings such as doorway can be easily
measured. However irregular opening such as a crack can not
be measured physically, there is other means to estimate the
equivalent size, or called Effective Leakage Area (ELA).
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For Existing Rooms:
Field Blower Door Test (ASTM 1987, CGSB 1986) to obtain
more precious data.
For Future Rooms during design phase:
Use ASHRAE ELA tables for building components (doors,
walls, joints, etc.) as estimated values.
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ASTM Blower Door Test,
- Traditional Room Air-tightness Test
Portable Pressurization Blower Test can
produce a set of data of Q - P, and a
power equation curve fit with calculated
constants (C, n, ELA) that defines a rooms
unique and dynamic leakage characteristic.
Abnormal test ranges:
ASTM (1987):
12.5 - 75 Pa
(0.05 - 0.30 in.)
CGSB (1986):
5 - 50 Pa
(0.02 - 0.20 in.)
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Labor intense, time consuming
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Disruption to occupied spaces
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Blower Door Test - Multiple-Point Test
Data for Power Equation Curve Fitting
Q = C ( P )
Power equation:
Once obtained Q - P data set, C and n can be calculated:
m
( ln Qk
ln Pk ) m (ln Qk ln Pk )
k =1
k =1
n = k =1
m
ln Pk )
k =1
(ln Pk )
k =1
m
m
ln Qk n
ln Pk
k =1
C = EXP k =1
m
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Opening Resistance Analysis
Define:
Leakage Flow Resistance R
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1
R=
ELA
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Leakage flow resistances connected in parallel and series
n
ELA = ELA
Q
Pi
P
i =1
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ELAT =
2
i =1 (ELAi )
n
Qi
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Room Pressurization Scenarios and
Variable Relationship
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Scennario 1: Room Prerssurized
SA - (EA+RA) = V = Q > 0
Room
Positively
Pressurized
Offset
Flow
V
Total Leakage
Airflows
Q
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Total Room Exhaust
and/or Return Airflow
(EA+RA)
Total Room
Exhaust and/or
Return Airflow
(EA+RA)
Total Room
Supply Airflow
(SA)
Total Room
Supply Airflow
(SA)
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Room Pressurization Scenarios and
Variable Relationship
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Total Room
Exhaust and/or
Return Airflow
(EA+RA)
Room
Non-Pressurized
Total Leakage
Airflows
Q = 0
Total Room Exhaust and/or
Return Airflow
(EA+RA)
Total Room
Supply Airflow
(SA)
Total Room
Supply Airflow
(SA)
Scennario 2: Room Non-Prerssurized
SA - (EA+RA) = V = Q = 0
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Offset
Flow
V = 0
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Room Pressurization Scenarios and
Variable Relationship
Scennario 3: Room De-prerssurized
SA - (EA+RA) = V = Q < 0
Room
Negatively
De-pressurized
Offset
Flow
V
Total Leakage
Airflows
Q
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Total Room Exhaust and/or Return
Airflow
(EA+RA)
Total Room
Exhaust and/or
Return Airflow
(EA+RA)
Total Room
Supply Airflow
(SA)
Total Room
Supply Airflow
(SA)
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Central Air Handling System &
Room Pressurization
SA =
Volume of total
supply air entering
the space/zone
RA = Volume of total
return air leaving the
space/zone
EA = Volume of total
exhaust air leaving
the space/zone
OA = Volume of outside air
drawn into the AHU
FA = Volume of relief air
released from return
air
RA-FA = Volume of
recalculated air
Q=
Volume of total
leakage air through
space shell/zone
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Central Air Handling Unit &
Room Pressurization
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Two volumetric
balance equations
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(Mass balance equation under
assumption of same air density)
SA = RA + EA + Q
(Volume balance for a space)
SA = OA + (RA FA)
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(Volume balance for a typical AHU)
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Space Pressurization Ratio (R)
Define as the Ratio between SA and (RA+EA), as an
indicator of pressurization scale:
SA
SA
R=
=
RA + EA SA Q
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By specifying SA values, R will be a function of Q. R
Value Chart is convenient for design engineers to
determine SA and (RA+EA) ratio during air distribution
arrangement.
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Chart
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Pressurization Ratio vs. Air Leakage Rate
for Various Supply Air Rates
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Space versus Room Pressurization Ratios
The relationship between the space pressurization ratio
and its individual room pressurization ratios:
R=
1
(SAi SA)
i =1
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Ri
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The space pressurization ratio, an indicator of relative
pressurization level, can be used to adjust air gains or
losses among zones in order to arrange desired air
flows within a building.
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Adjacent Rooms under Various Pressures
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If a room has several leakage openings with adjacent
rooms, the rooms pressurization ratio is:
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RR =
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SAR
n
SAR Qi
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i =1
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Pressure Differential and Crack Air Velocity
Criterion 1 (Pressure Differential P)
For single room:
P: 0.05 in. of water (12.5 Pa)
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For multiple-room space with staged pressurizations:
P: 0.02 in. ~ 0.03 in. (5 Pa ~ 7.5 Pa) for each pressure step
Criterion 2 (Average Crack Velocity V)
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100 fpm (30 M/m)
From comparison below, the pressure criterion of P = 0.05 in. is much more
conservative than the velocity criterion of V = 100 fpm.
Pressurization
Criterion
Pressure
Differential P
Crack Leakage
Velocity V
Large Opening
Velocity V
Pressurization Criterion Comparison
Unit
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0.06
0.0015 0.01
0.02
0.03
0.04
0.05
fpm
109
374
587
764
920
1,064 1,198 1,444 1,670
fpm
100
261
369
452
522
584
639
0.08
Basis
In
738
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0.10
825
Eq. (1),
when n=0.65
Eq. (2a)
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Room Pressurization Variables and
Control Strategies
Airflow differential between entering airflow (supply airflow,
SA) and leaving airflow (exhaust and/or return airflows,
EA+RA), normally called offset value (V), which equals the
total leakage airflow (Q) of the room.
To maintain a specific room pressure value, the rooms offset
airflow (V) must be controlled and maintained at the
appropriate value.
Rooms offset airflow can be controlled directly or indirectly.
The treatment of the room offset value defines a
pressurization control strategy. Typical pressurization control
techniques are: Direct Pressure-Differential Control,
Differential Flow Tracking Control, Hybrid Control and
Adaptive Control.
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Direct Pressure-Differential Control (DP)
Utilizes a pressure differential sensor to measure the pressure difference
between a controlled room and an adjacent space such as a corridor. It basically
ignores the specific offset value as required, instead, it directly controls the
airflow control devices to achieve the required pressure differential.
Room
Exhaust
Valve
Room
Supply
Valve
SUPPLY
AIR
Hood
Exhaust
Hood
Exhaust
Total Exhaust
Air from Room
DP
Leakage
Air
Hood
Valve &
Controller
ROOM
CONTROLLER
DS
Door
Switch
CORRIDOR
Leakage
Air
Velocity
Sensor
CHEMICAL
LAB
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Total Supply
Air to Room
DP
Sensor
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or
Fume
Hood
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Sash
Sensor
Thermostat
Suitable for a tightly constructed room with limited traffics.
Door switch is recommended to trigger a reduced pressure differential setpoint if the door opens.
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Differential Flow Tracking Control (DF)
Intuitively assumes an offset value which is used as a flow difference
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between the entering and leaving airflows to control their respective
airflow devices. Maintain the same offset value throughout the operation
to keep pressurization constant, or maintain a constant percentage offset
value which creates a weaker pressurization at lower flow.
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Room
Exhaust
Valve
Room
Supply
Valve
SUPPLY
AIR
DP
Monitor
Hood
Exhaust
Total Exhaust
Air from Room
Hood
Exhaust
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Total Supply
Air to Room
DP
Flow
Sensor
Leakage
Air
Flow
Sensor
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Hood
Valve &
Controller
ROOM
CONTROLLER
DS
Door
Switch
CORRIDOR
Leakage
Air
Velocity
Sensor
CHEMICAL
LAB
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or
Fume
Hood
Sash
Sensor
Thermostat
Suitable for open-style rooms or rooms with frequent traffics
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Hybrid Control (DP+DF)
Combines the pressure accuracy of the direct pressure differential control
and the stability of the flow tracking control. The offset value is reset-able
based on pressure differential reading. The offset value reset schedule is
pre-determined and controllers parameters are fixed manually in field.
This method is also called cascaded control.
Room
Supply
Valve
SUPPLY
AIR
Room
Exhaust
Valve
Hood
Exhaust
Hood
Exhaust
Total Exhaust
Air from Room
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Total Supply
Air to Room
DP
Sensor
Flow
Sensor
DP
Flow
Sensor
ROOM
CONTROLLER
Leakage
Air
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Hood
Valve &
Controller
DS
Door
Switch
CORRIDOR
Velocity
Sensor
CHEMICAL
LAB
Fume
Hood
Thermostat
Leakage
Air
or
Sash
Sensor
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Suitable for open-style rooms or rooms with frequent traffics
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Multiple-Room (Suite)
Pressure Control Strategies
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Single room control technologies
often cause problems in Suite
Pressure Control during air
balancing, since the following
phenomena are often ignored:
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Adjusting one rooms offset
value will impact adjacent
rooms air pressures if they
were just balanced earlier.
One rooms air gain could be
another rooms air loss
through leakages.
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Example - Pharmaceutical Aseptic Suite
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Adaptive Control (DP+DF+AD)
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The three traditional methods (DP, DF and DP+DF) are
either to ignore, assume or manually fix in field the
offset value respectively.
The adaptive (DP+DF+AD) approach directly accounts for
leakage flows between the rooms in a suite. It controls all
rooms pressures all together as an optimized system,
instead of controlling each room pressure independently. It
actively adjusts the flow offset of each room according to an
on-line pressurization model. The model uses flow and
pressure differential measurements to estimate the leakage
values between the rooms and adjust flow offset of each
room automatically.
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Automated Room Air-tightness Test
Pre-condition for Truly Adaptive Control
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Similarly as Blower Door
Test, but fully automated.
A rooms unique dynamic
leakage characterization can
also be automatically achieved
by digital controller, precision
pressure differential sensor
(0.001 in./0.25 Pa) and
airflow control devices (5%).
These devices are often
permanently installed in lab
and clean room environments.
This automated pressurization
test (Q-P data set) is faster
and cheaper, and can be
handled remotely.
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Adaptive Control (Example: Control of Multiple Rooms)
DP
Designated
Leakage Flow
CLEANER
ROOM
0.06 In.
DS
CLEANEST
ROOM
0.08 In.
SUITE
CONTROLLER
DS
Return
Air
Valve
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Pressure
Differential
Sensor
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Door Switch
DS
DS
Valve Position
Outputs
GENERAL
CHEMICAL LAB
- 0.02 In.
DP
Exhaust
Air
Valve
Minor Leaks
Thru. Cracks
DP
DS
DS
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CONTAINMENT
LAB
- 0.06 In.
Supply
Air
Valve
AIRLOCK
0.03 In.
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Legend
DP
DP
Valve
Flowrate
Inputs
SUITE
CONTROLLER
DP
CORRIDOR
0.00 In.
Manifolded or
Open to Corridor
Room Pressure
Inputs
Door
Switch
Inputs
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Air Flows between Rooms
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Airflow Between Rooms
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Personnel Flows between Rooms
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Personnel Flow Between Rooms
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More Considerations
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Correction and Safety Factors Add as required
Correction Factors
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Safety Factors
Refer to ASHRAE Handbooks 1999 &
2001, detailed procedures will be included in
the next phase of the study)
(Detailed procedures will be included in the
next phase of the study)
Stack effect
Wind effect
Interior zones with high
temperature or humidity
differences
Room background leaks
Duct leaks
AHU unit leak
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Samples of Pressurization Control Devices
Flow Control & Measure
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Pressure Measure
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Static
Static Pressure
Pressure
Measuring
Measuring Probes
Probes
Control
Control
Damper
Damper
___________________________________
Air
Air Valve
Valve
Type
Type 11
Pressure
Pressure
Transmitter
Transmitter
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Air
Air Valve
Valve
Type
Type 22
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Pressure
Pressure
Transmitter
Transmitter
and
and Monitor
Monitor
Air
Air Valve
Valve -Type
Type 33
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Case Study - Airflow Resistance and
Leakage Flow Simulation
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Major and minor leakage openings, connection in parallel
and series
RM2
RM1
RM4
RM5
RM2
RM1
RM4
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RM5
RM6
RM6
RM3
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RM3
Network Flow with Major Openings Only
RMX
___________________________________
Network Flow with Major and Minor Openings
- Room Numbe
- Wall
- Flow Direction
- Induced Flow (by Pressurization)
- Node (Room)
- Flow Resistance @ Major Opening
- Flow Resistance @ Minor Opening
- Forced Flow (by Fan)
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Modeling of Transient Pressurization
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1. Pressurization Loss Characteristic During a Swing
Door Opening or Closing
(t )
= 2 W sin
2
(t )
t
A( t ) = H L( t ) = 2 H W sin
2
(t )
Room 2
(0 60 o )
P2
L
( 60 < 90 o )
= H W
___________________________________
Swing Door
P1
Room 1
___________________________________
P1 > P2
where,
L=width (gap) of door opening in. (cm)
W=width of door
in. (cm)
=angle of door opening degree
=speed of door turning degree/sec.
t=time
sec.
H=door height
in. (cm)
A=effective door opening width (gap) in2(cm2)
___________________________________
Wall
Transient Flow Through Swing Door
___________________________________
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Modeling of Transient Pressurization
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1. Pressurization Loss Characteristic During a Swing
Door Opening or Closing
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Transient Pressure Differential Across When A Swing Door Opens
Pressure Drop Across Door
W idth of Door Opening
Autom atic Swing Door Opens to 90 in 3 Seconds; Door Size 4 ft. (W ) x 7 ft. (H).
Room s Across The Door/Wall Are Maintained with Cons tant Supply and Return Flows .
Initial Pressure Differential Ac ros s Door is 68.9 Pa, it drops to 1 Pa les s than 2 s ec onds.
Angle of Swing Door Opening (Degree)
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
60
40
40
30
30
20
20
10
10
Width (Gap) of Door Opening (in.)
50
50
Airlock Room Pressure Profile
0.100
0.095
First Door Opening
First Door Closing
1.5
2.5
Second Door Closing
0.080
Room Static Pressure (in. WC)
0.5
Second Door Opening
0.090
0.075
Both Doors Closed
0.085
0
3
Time of Door Opening (Second)
Cleanroom
0.070
___________________________________
0.065
0.060
0.055
0.050
___________________________________
0.045
Airlock
0.040
0.035
0.030
0.025
0.020
0.015
Corridor
0.010
0.005
0.000
-0.005
-0.010
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Airlock Sliding Door Operation Cycle
___________________________________
Modeling of Transient Pressurization
___________________________________
2. Pressurization Loss Characteristic During a Sliding
Door Opening or Closing
___________________________________
Sliding Door
Room 2
P2
L
P
W
where,
Wall
W=width of door
P1 > P2
in. (cm)
Transient Flow Through Sliding Door
t=time
sec.
s=speed of door opening
in./sec. (cm/sec.)
H=door height
in. (cm)
___________________________________
P1
Room 1
L=width (gap) of door opening in. (cm)
___________________________________
___________________________________
A=effective door opening width (gap) in2(cm2)
___________________________________
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Modeling of Transient Pressurization
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2. Pressurization Loss Characteristic During a Sliding
Door Opening or Closing
___________________________________
Transient Pressure Differential Across W hen A Sliding Door Opens
Pressure Drop Across Door
W idth of Door Opening
Automatic Sliding Door Opens at Speed of 16 in./sec.; Door Size 4 ft. (W ) x 7 ft. (H);
Rooms Across The Door/W all Are Maintained with Constant Supply and Return Flows,
Initial Pressure Differential Across Door is 68.9 Pa, it drops to 1 Pa around 2 seconds.
60
70
60
___________________________________
40
40
30
30
20
20
10
10
0
0
0.5
1.5
T ime of Door Opening (Second)
2.5
Width (Gap) of Door O pening (in.)
50
50
Pressure Differentials Between Rooms
Pressure Differential between Rooms (in. WC)
Pressure Differential Across Door (Pa)
Pressure Differential Across Door (Pa)
___________________________________
60
70
0.100
0.095
0.090
0.085
0.080
0.075
0.070
0.065
0.060
0.055
0.050
0.045
0.040
0.035
0.030
0.025
0.020
0.015
0.010
0.005
0.000
-0.005
-0.010
First Door Opening
First Door Closing
Both Doors Closed
Second Door Opening
DP
(Cleanroom and Corridor)
DP (Door 1)
DP (Door 2)
Airlock Sliding Door Operation Cycle
Second Door Closing
___________________________________
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___________________________________
___________________________________
Door Opening Transient Impact on
Pressurization Control
___________________________________
Any passive motor-driven or actuator-driven HVAC
system (such VAV box or valve) will not have enough
time to react effectively to prevent possible cross
contamination.
A single barrier door could cause a short duration of
backflow contamination until the motor or actuator
completes the modulation cycle of re-balancing,
additional means to prevent possible backflow
contamination, such as double-door airlock is necessary.
___________________________________
___________________________________
___________________________________
___________________________________
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Dynamic Pressurization Control Strategies
- Airlock
Air Lock Type
CORRIDOR
AIRFLOW
CORRIDOR
AIRFLOW
AIRLOCK
AIRLOCK
++
++
Cascading
Bubble
Sink
DualCompartment
AIRFLOW
AIRFLOW
CLEANROOM
CLEANROOM
+++
CASCADING AIRLOCK
CORRIDOR
AIRFLOW
AIRLOCK
AIRLOCK
--
++
AIRFLOW
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BUBBLE AIRLOCK
CORRIDOR
AIRFLOW
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CLEANROOM
CLEANROOM
--
AIRFLOW
SINK AIRLOCK
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AIRLOCK
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DUAL COMPARTMENT AIRLOCK
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Dynamic Pressurization Control Strategies
- Airlock
Airlock Physical Model
Network Flow Simulation
Cleanroom
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0.06 in.
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-6 -3 0 3 6
Wait!
-6
-3
0
3
6
P
Door 2
Airlock (Cascading)
P
Door 1
0.03 in.
P
Rooms
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-6 -3 0 3 6
Corridor
0.00 in.
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Result of Network Flow Simulation
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Clean room
0.06 in.
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-6 -3 0 3 6
Wait!
P
Door 2
Airlock (Cascading)
P
0.03 in.
Door 1
-6
-3
0
3
6
P
Rooms
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-6 -3 0 3 6
Corridor
0.00 in.
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CFD Model to Study Airlock Transient
Performance - Physical Conditions
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Case 2 Class 100
Case 1 Class 10,000
(12000 CFM, 75 ACH)
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(48000 CFM, 300 ACH)
8400 CFM, 300 ACH)
(2100 CFM, 75 ACH)
(560 CFM, 10ACH)
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560 (CFM, 10ACH)
11948 CFM
Leakage 73 CFM
Leakage 73 CFM
8378 CFM
2078 CFM
Leakage 52 CFM
Leakage 52 CFM
Clean Room: 10000
Airlock: 10,000
Corridor: 100000
47948 CFM
Clean Room: 100
Airlock: 100
Corridor: 100000
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Steady State Airflow Distribution
Case 1 Class 10,000
Case 2 Class 100
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Steady State Cleanroom Particle
Concentration
Case 1 Class 10,000
Case 2 Class 100
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Corridor Particles Enter Airlock Room
Case 1 Class 10,000
Case 2 Class 100
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Airlock Particles Enter Clean Room and
Corridor
Case 2 Class 100
Case 1 Class 10,000
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Airlock Particles Enter Clean Room and
Corridor
Case 2 Class 100
Case 1 Class 10,000
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Variation of Corridor Particle Concentration
Case 2 Class 100
Case 1 Class 10,000
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Airlock Door Transient Performance
Pressure Differential Across Cleanroom Door During Walk-Through
Profile of Pressure Differential Across Door
When Door Is Opening & Closing
Profile of Pressure Differential Across Door
When Door Is Opening & Closing
(Initial Condition: -15 Pa = -0.06 In.)
(Initial Condition: 5 Pa = 0.02 In.)
Door Opening
Door Closing
Test 1
Test 2
Test 3
Average
-5
-10
-15
-20
0
10
11
12
13
14
15
20
15
10
Test 1
Test 2
Test 3
Average
5
0
-5
Door Opening
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
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(Initial Condition: 10 Pa = 0.04 In.)
20
15
Door Opening
Door Closing
10
Test 1
Test 2
Test 3
Average
-5
-10
-15
Pressure Differential Across Door (Pa)
25
-20
20
15
10
Test 1
Test 2
Test 3
0
Door Opening
Average
Door Closing
-5
-10
-15
-20
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
Time (Sec.)
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
Profile of Pressure Differential Across Door
When Door Is Opening & Closing
(Initial Condition: -5 Pa = -0.02 In.)
(Initial Condition: 15 Pa = 0.06 In.)
25
20
15
Door Opening
Door Closing
10
Test 1
Test 2
Test 3
Average
-5
-10
-15
-20
1
10
11
12
13
14
15
Pressure Differential Across Door (Pa)
25
20
15
10
Test 1
Test 2
Test 3
Average
-5
Door Opening
Door Closing
-10
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-15
-20
16
Time (Sec.)
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
14
15
16
Time (Sec.)
Profile of Pressure Differential Across Door
When Door Is Opening & Closing
Profile of Pressure Differential Across Door
When Door Is Opening & Closing
(Initial Condition: 0 Pa = 0 In.)
(Initial Condition: 20 Pa = 0.08 In.)
25
20
15
Door Closing
10
Test 1
Test 2
Test 3
Average
-5
-10
-15
-20
Pressure Differential Across Door (Pa)
25
Door Opening
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Time (Sec.)
Profile of Pressure Differential Across Door
When Door Is Opening & Closing
Pressure Differential Across Door (Pa)
Time (Sec.)
Profile of Pressure Differential Across Door
When Door Is Opening & Closing
(Initial Condition: -10 Pa = -0.04 In.)
Pressure Differential Across Door (Pa)
Door Closing
-10
-15
-20
16
Time (Sec.)
Profile of Pressure Differential Across Door
When Door Is Opening & Closing
25
Pressure Differential Across Door (Pa)
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25
20
15
10
Pressure Differential Across Door (Pa)
Pressure Differential Across Door (Pa)
25
20
15
10
Test 1
Test 2
Test 3
Average
5
0
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-5
Door Opening
Door Closing
-10
-15
-20
Time (Sec.)
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
Time (Sec.)
10
11
12
13
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Contamination Risk Factor (CRF)
CRF is a criterion which is to quantity the effectiveness of cleanroom particle
containment in preventing the airborne particles migration into cleanroom.
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CRF = PC / PO
CRF = Contamination Risk Factor
PC = Number of Particles inside Protected Cleanroom Near Door
PO = Number of Particles at Corridor Entrance Near Door
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This criterion is applied for a Barrier Device which is to minimize particle
migration. This barrier could be single door, an airlock (two doors in series),
mini environment, or glove box.
The lower of the CRF level, the better barriers performance, or the better decontamination effectiveness. This expression can not only apply for airborne
particle, but also for airborne microorganism egress, in which the particle
counts will be replaced with Colony Forming Unit (CFU).
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Particle Concentrations & CRF Across Cleanroom
Door Under Various Pressure Differentials
Particle Concentrations Across Cleanroom Door
When Door is Opening & Closing
Particle Concentrations Across Cleanroom Door
When Door is Opening & Closing
(Initial Condition: Depressurization @ -15 Pa = -0.06 In. )
Inside Cleanroom Door Average
Inside Cleanroom Door Average
30,000
CRF
= 18.9%
20,000
10,000
70,000
Door
Opening
60,000
Door Opening & Closing W/O People Traffic
A Person Walks Through Door
CRF
= 2.2%
10,000
9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22
Particle Concentrations Across Cleanroom Door
When Door is Opening & Closing
(Initial Condition: Depressurization @ -10 Pa = -0.04 In. )
(Initial Condition: Pressurization @ 10 Pa = 0.04 In. )
Outside Cleanroom Door Average
Ins ide Cleanroom Door Av erage
80,000
Outside Cleanroom Door Average
80,000
70,000
Door
Opening
60,000
Particle Concentrations Across Door
3
(Counts / FT )
Door
Closing
50,000
40,000
30,000
CRF
= 8.5%
20,000
10,000
0
0
70,000
Door
Opening
Door
Cl osing
60,000
50,000
40,000
30,000
CRF
= 0.7%
20,000
Inside Cleanroom Door A ver age
Particle Concentrations Across Door
3
(Counts / FT )
Door
Ope ning
Door
Closing
50,000
CRF
= 6.9%
20,000
10,000
0
70,000
D oor
Opening
60,000
Door
Clos ing
Regression (A Person Walks Through Door)
9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22
Particle Concentrations Across Cleanroom Door
When Door is Opening & Closing
(Initial Condition: Pressurization @ 20 Pa = 0.08 In. )
(Initial Condition: Neutral @ 0 Pa = 0 In. )
Ins ide Cleanroom Door Av erage
Outside Cleanroom Door A ver age
Ins ide Cleanroom Door A ver age
Outside Cleanroom Door A verage
Door
C losing
CRF
= 4.2%
20,000
10,000
0
Particle Concentrations Across Door
3
(Counts / FT )
80,000
Door
Opening
40,000
70,000
Door
Opening
60,000
Door
Closing
50,000
40,000
30,000
20,000
CRF
= 0.3%
10,000
0
9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22
Time (Sec.)
20
Door Opening & Closing W/O People Traffic
Time (Sec.)
80,000
30,000
15
A Person Walks Through Door
Particle Concentrations Across Cleanroom Door
When Door is Opening & Closing
70,000
10
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25%
0
Time (Sec.)
60,000
Regression (Door Opening & Closing W/O People Traffic)
CRF
= 0.8%
20,000
10,000
9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22
50,000
(Note: 5 Pa = 0.02 In., Particle Measured @ 0.5 m)
50,000
40,000
30,000
0
0
-5
Initial Pressure Differential Across Door (Pa)
Airborne Particle Contamination Risk Factor (CRF)
Under Various Pressure Differentials Across Cleanroom Door
Outside Cleanr oom Door Average
80,000
40,000
-10
(Initial Condition: Pressurization @ 15 Pa = 0.06 In. )
Outside Cleanroom Door A verage
30,000
5%
9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22
Time (Sec.)
(Initial Condition: Depressurization @ -5 Pa = -0.02 In. )
70,000
10%
Particle Concentrations Across Cleanroom Door
When Door is Opening & Closing
80,000
60,000
15%
-15
0
Time (Sec.)
Inside Cleanroom Door Average
20%
0%
10,000
0
9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22
Particle Concentrations Across Cleanroom Door
When Door is Opening & Closing
9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22
Time (Sec.)
Contamination Risk Factor (CRF, %)
Particle Concentrations Across Door
3
(Counts / FT )
10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22
Time (Sec.)
Time (Sec.)
Particle Concentrations Across Cleanroom Door
When Door is Opening & Closing
Ins ide Cleanroom Door Av erage
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25%
30,000
20,000
Particle Concentrations Across Door
3
(Counts / FT )
(Note: 5 Pa = 0.02 In., Particle Measured @ 0.5 m)
D oor
Closing
50,000
40,000
Contamination Risk Factor (CRF, %)
Particle Concentrations Across Door
3
(Counts / FT )
Particle Concentrations Across Door
3
(Counts / FT )
Door
Clos ing
Particle Concentrations Across Door
3
(Counts / FT )
Outside Cleanroom Door A verage
80,000
D oor
Opening
60,000
50,000
40,000
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Airborne Particle Contamination Risk Factor (CRF)
Under Various Pressure Differentials Across Cleanroom Door
(Initial Condition: Pressurization @ 5 Pa = 0.02 In. )
Outside Cleanroom Door A ver age
80,000
70,000
Regression Curve:
-0.1181*PD
CRF= 0.0332e
2
R = 0.9656
(No People Traffic)
20%
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15%
Regression Curve:
-0.0703*PD
CRF = 0.0418e
2
R = 0.9129
(With People Traffic)
10%
5%
0%
-15
-10
-5
10
15
20
Initial Pressure Differential Across Door (Pa)
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Dynamic Pressurization Control Strategies
Adjustable Pressure Stabilizer
A leakage regulator,
controllable pressure relief
damper across a wall to
maintain a minimum
required pressurization.
When a door is normally
closed, this damper should
stay open and maintain
normal pressure differential;
when the door opens, the
damper shall be
automatically closed either
by spring-loaded or counterweight gravity damper, and
maintain a lower while
acceptable pressure
differential.
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Pressure
Stabilizer
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Importance
In addition to design engineers and research
scientists, the information presented may also
benefit manufacturers in the fields of:
Air-handling unit control
Lab HVAC control
Prefabricated clean room
Precision environmental test chamber
Smoke management control
Air distribution system
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Pressurization Study
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Q&A
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