Engineering Controls » Laminar Flow (Supplied Air) Islands

Pasting Station Combined Supplied Air Island and Exhaust

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There are two types of clean air systems that can be used for battery manufacturing operations:

Both systems:

  • Protect the worker from exposure to contaminated background air.
  • Help propel dust produced at the workstation away from the operator's breathing zone.

 

Figure 1 Paste mixer with supplied air island above the testing station

Figure Paste mixer with supplied air island above the testing station
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Laminar flow (supplied-air) islands (SAI) provide a zone of clean air at a workstation. The supplied air may come from outside the plant or the air may be filtered plant air.

Laminar flow (supplied-air) islands are especially useful in limiting lead exposure when:

Supplied Air Island

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  • An employee remains in a stationary position at the workstation for long periods of time. The SAI provides an envelope of clean air to a worker. The clean air flows down over the worker which normally keeps factory air from entering the clean air core.

  • A supply of fresh, clean air is available. Note: Outside air may not require cleaning and costs will be lower. If no outside source of clean air is available, intake air should be filtered.

  • The air is tempered. Employees will not remain in an environment that is too hot or too cold. Note: If the air is not tempered employees will block off the air flow with cardboard or other material in the winter or try to increase the flow for cooling in the summer which could result in higher exposures.

Figure 2 Plastic curtains direct airflow toward the exhaust point

Laminar Flow (Supplied Air) Islands are not always necessary if adequate capture velocity is provided to control airborne lead.

Design Specifications

The laminar flow (supplied-air) island (SAI) should be designed to provide a laminar flow of fresh air through the employee's breathing zone at a low enough velocity so that additional airborne lead dust is not generated through reentrainment.

  • The SAI height is typically 80 inches from the floor but is often restricted by overhead clearance limits and other equipment installed in the area. Curtains are used to extend the length of the SAI to the operators breathing zone; cut pass throughs to prevent workers from disturbing dust collected on the curtains.

  • The air flow is designed so that the velocity measured at the employee's breathing zone is 100-125 feet per minute.

  • SAIs can be used in conjunction with exhaust-ventilated work benches. In this case, the air should be approximately balanced so that make-up air provided is nominally equal to the amount of the exhaust air. It is recommended that the volume of make-up air be in the range of 90 to 110 percent of the exhaust volume.

Perform the following to ensure clean air rooms are free of lead contaminants:

  • Vacuum enclosures and scrub them with soap and water so lead dust does not collect on flat surfaces.

  • Ensure that the structural integrity of all enclosures are intact and under positive pressure at all times.

  • Develop a preventive maintenance checklist that includes schedules for:
    • Replacing ventilation system filters.
    • Replacing ventilation system hoses, clamps, and blower internal parts.
    • Replacing window and door moldings.
    • Checking and replacing air shower ventilation systems, including automatic doors, blower, nozzles, and lighting.
    • Monitoring intake and exhaust airflow to ensure that the rooms are under positive pressure at all times.
Design Specifications

Using clean air rooms can effectively lower lead exposure. They can be used for oxide mill or paste mix operators. Some clean air rooms are used as lead-free environments where employees can remove their respirators.

  • These rooms need to have positive pressure, be tempered, and have a filtered air system with a HEPA filter designed to remove 99.97 percent of lead dust greater than 0.3 micron in diameter.

  • An ante room should be included to give employees a place to remove their protective equipment without spreading contamination in the clean air rooms.