Controlling Particulate Contamination with Fabric Curtain Walls

Anytime a space is to be exhausted, the smaller the space can be made, the smaller the exhaust equipment can be specified. Partitioning around a dust source with a fabric curtain wall takes full advantage of this relationship. By reducing the volume of the space to be exhausted, smaller fan(s) can be used, reducing the total air movement. Lower air velocity through filter media increases the effective particle separation of the device. Additionally, lower airflow through the filter reduces the frequency required for change out or cleaning.

In a situation where a positive pressure space is desired, some sort of enclosure, or “box,” around the space would be optimal to maintain the pressure differential. Fabric curtain walls are an ideal partition solution. They are less expensive to install than hard walls and create an enclosure seal just as effective as a hard wall (in some cases more so, if there are many penetrations through the partition like piping, conduit, etc.).

Separation between a loading dock area and a desired clean space in a packaging or processing facility is a common issue. In many cases, leased or previously purposed buildings make no provision for this kind of separation. Production efficiency mitigates toward minimizing product transfer distances and times between production and shipping or receiving areas. With dock doors often open, and truck traffic traveling into and away from the dock, a negative air pressure condition in the building can readily draw airborne contaminants into the building and clean space.

The addition of a fabric curtain wall in this application creates an effective barrier between the uncontrolled environment of the dock area and any clean area. The inclusion of standalone, high-speed, roll-up doors in the curtain wall allows for efficient thoroughfare, while minimizing time the interior is open to the loading dock area. Infiltration could be further reduced by positively pressurizing the interior clean space.

As described above, in addition to reducing the volume of space to be exhausted or supplied, fabric curtain walls act as a very effective physical barrier on their own, blocking transfer of particles from space to space. Curtain walls can be single-layer fabric or multi-layer insulated. They can easily be fitted with clear vision panels for visual communication between spaces.

Curtain walls are flexible by nature, yet very durable. They can withstand contact from machinery or product, and simply “bend without breaking,” in contrast to a hard permanent wall. They are also relatively easy to reconfigure if a space needs to be enlarged, reduced, or the shape of the space footprint needs to change. No “deconstruction” is required. Fabric curtain walls are easily installed, can be simply trimmed around conduit, piping, ductwork, etc., and can be anchored to the floor to withstand pressure differential across them.

Depending on the application, a curtain wall can be suspended from the room ceiling or can be supplied with a standalone framework to hang from. They are available as stationary as well as sliding (suspended from roller track), and can be fitted with strip curtains, personnel doors, or high-speed industrial doors for full range of access to the space.

Curtain walls can be an ideal choice for facilities looking to control particulate contamination. As a flexible and economical way to partition space, they make exhaust, supply, and separation systems for dust more efficient—regardless of the application.

Ashelin is engineering manager for Zoneworks. A 15-year industry veteran, he holds a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering. Reach him at [email protected].

AUTHOR DISCLAIMER: The information herein is provided as a general reference regarding the use of the applicable product(s) in specific applications. This information is provided without warranty. It is your responsibility to ensure that you are using all mentioned products properly in your specific application and in accordance with all laws and regulations.