DYNAMIC MEASUREMENT OF PARTICLE PRODUCTION OF AN OPERATOR WITH DIFFERENT GARMENT ARRANGEMENT IN CLEANROOMS

Authors:

Jianhua Huang, Ming Xu, Xiang Shao

Keywords:

Wind-driven, Helmke Drum, Dispersal chamber, Garment testing, Particle size distribution, Penetration

Abstract:

There are many possible sources of contamination in the cleanroom environment, including: operators, equipment, structures, and any surface that can generate particles through friction, heat, exhaust, outgassing, and static electricity charge. The operators working in the cleanroom are the major sources that release the most of particles. As cleanroom operators are working, they elucidate millions of particles with every movement. Particles migrate up through the cleanroom garment toward the head and fall down to the legs during cleanroom activities. Specialized textile fabrics have been used in cleanroom garments for many years. The need for this type of fabric has increased mainly due to the increasing need in protecting critical operations in cleanrooms as well as creating comfort for operators and other personnel. Previous studies were limited and only used small number of particles. Previous methods were also poor and unclear. This study covers the general static method of wind-driven and Helmke Drum in regards to the filtration efficiency of cleanroom fabrics and garments. Furthermore, it introduces dynamic method of body box for testing fabrics as well as cleanroom garments. It is more practical and sensitive as being compared to traditional methods and based on a more concise technical approach for the life-time of these products to be examined and controlled, especially when the garments have to be sterilized prior to the use.

Article:

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