Low Resistance HEPA Filters for Optimization of Biological Cabinet Energy Consumption
Robert Lloyd, The Baker Company
As the primary containment devices within laboratories, biological safety cabinets (BSCs) are critical to protect personnel, product, and the environment from exposure to biohazards and cross-contamination during routine daily procedures. Because of this vital role, the BSC is one of the most essential and highly used pieces of equipment within a laboratory.
With current energy prices reaching all-time highs, reducing energy costs is a paramount concern of every laboratory. An analysis published by EPA concluded that laboratories consume five to 10 times more energy per square foot than typical office buildings. The need for energy-efficient equipment has never been more acute.
New motor technologies that have been recently introduced (2008) by various manufacturers of BSCs offer a significant reduction in energy usage. Now the major limit to improving energy consumption is the resistance of the HEPA filters. BSCs are very sensitive to HEPA filter performance, so any changes to filter specifications are complex and require many hours of performance testing.
A leading manufacturer of BSCs has been working with their filter manufacturers to produce a lower resistance filter that still meets the same standard for performance. The results of these recent studies have shown that the new lower-resistance filters will reduce energy consumption by 25 percent while still maintaining the same rigorous standard of safety and performance.
A case study will be presented describing the collaborative process of developing lower-resistance filters including specifications, development, and testing procedures. The results are presented, specifically the performance results and the energy savings achieved through adoption of these filters.
Biography:
As engineering manager at The Baker Company, Robert Lloyd is responsible for the engineering functions related to research, design, testing, and manufacturing. Previously, as a nuclear engineer at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, Mr. Lloyd designed and repaired nuclear reactor systems; designed and used clean rooms, glove boxes, and containment areas; and implemented and reviewed radiological control procedures and nuclear engineering training. As president and dean of faculty at New Hampshire Community Technical College, he developed training programs in computer numerical control, computer-aided design, computer-integrated manufacturing, and robotics.