In an industrial cleanroom, significant energy savings were realized by implementing two types of demand controlled filtration (DCF) strategies, one based on particle counts and one on occupancy. With each strategy the speed of the recirculation fan filter units was reduced to save energy. When the control was based on particle counts, the energy use was 60% of the baseline configuration of continuous fan operation. With simple occupancy sensors, the energy usage was 63% of the baseline configuration. During the testing of DCF, no complaints were registered by the operator of the cleanroom concerning processes and products being affected by the DCF implementation.
IntroductionDemand controlled filtration (DCF) is a method of saving energy in cleanrooms by decreasing the recirculation fan speed when demand for filtration is low. A particle counter or an occupancy sensor can measure the demand for filtration. Another method of saving energy in cleanrooms is the use of programmable timers that decrease recirculation fan speeds when occupants are not expected, such as nights and weekends.
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