The fume hood of the future may look somewhat similar to a fume hood of today, but it will be and do much more. As such it might more appropriately be called an intelligent Chemical Containment Device or CCD. Over the next decade these are some of the features we could see in the smart fume hoods of the future:
- These intelligent CCD devices will be outfitted with various sensors to monitor various conditions and predict performance. There is nothing intelligent about today’s fume hoods, they are just boxes that exhaust. Much like a robot, they are totally unaware of anything around them. They can perform as programmed, but the performance is mostly static and has little to do with the risks or with what the fume hood is actually being used for. Thus, we are dependent on the user to be smart and use the hood safely. But even a safe user has minimal control over the system performance.
- The concept of a smart CCD is to be self-aware much like a cobot. The CCD needs to be able to sense what is going on inside the hood and around it so that the risk of exposure to the users can be assessed. The ability to communicate with the laboratory ventilation system is important so that the CCD can manage the operational parameters to maximize safety and minimize energy usage.
- As an IoT (Internet of Things) device, the CCD will have the ability to provide notifications, alarms, texts, and email, but more importantly, it will be able to communicate with other fume hoods and laboratory automation systems and building systems.
- To be able to verify system performance and containment, the CCD will monitor the indoor air quality with a built in volatile organic compounds (VOC) monitor.
- Taking the lead from insurance company use of dashcams in cars, the data gathered by CCDs will be used to minimize risk. Video in front of the CCD and video inside the CCD will provide a record of activity. Just like dashcams and security cameras, events can be tagged for possible review. The resulting data can be used for training and risk reduction. Similar to flight recorders in airplanes, the data can be used to determine what went wrong when a malfunction is detected.
- Outside the CCD, an occupancy sensor will be able to determine if someone is standing in front of the CCD. If so who? Are others near the CCD? What are traffic patterns around the CCD? Part of being self-aware is understanding the surroundings so that performance can be optimized.
- Radio-frequency identification (RFID) or biometrics will allow the device to identify the person who wants to use it or is using it. The CCD can check training records to see what the user’s training level is. It will be able to record the time they spend operating the CCD and what chemicals they are working with. This data might prove valuable in the case of an accident or illness.
- The ability to change LED lighting color from 2800K to 6500K and intensity from 0 to 100 percent makes it possible to light the CCD in a way that is comfortable and productive.
- Motion detection within CCD can alert the user to possible events such as a piece of equipment falling over. This will also detect the degree of user hand movement within the CCD and can respond accordingly.
- A digital interface for controlling electricity, laboratory gases, and water to improve safety in the laboratory. The CCD will need to be able to control these services. As Cobot workers become more common in laboratories and work successfully alongside people, they will need to interface with the CCD and control the functions like the sash, the electricity and the laboratory gases. This will be done wirelessly using digital commands.
- The use of multiple RFID sensors can reveal the exact location of people in the laboratory. Knowing people patterns can help us better manage the laboratory. The traffic patterns and heat generation can be better predicted. Laboratory occupancy could be a factor in controlling air changes and temperature. Today collecting this information is not feasible, but with the CCD sensors, this now becomes realistic.
- Synthetic Sensors are becoming more common and could become a component in a smart CCD. If you want to know about this technology and what it can do, take a look at this short YouTube video (https://youtu.be/aqbKrrru2co). This video shows you how simple general-purpose sensors can provide extensive information about the environment they are placed in.
- Knowing the differential pressure changes from area to area can reveal much about the air movement within the building itself. We know that a temperature gradient can impact the pressure gradient. Switching from heating to cooling can have an impact on performance. The more data collected, the more accurate the view of what is happening. This will allow the variables to be controlled. A more robust monitoring of DP will enhance performance and safety
- Knowing sash position/configuration is critical for several reasons. With the CCD controller largely controlling the position, the impact of sash position will be less of a factor. Combination sashes (both vertical and horizontal) need to have the same level of control as vertical only sashes. The most likely system for accomplishing this would include the horizontal panels having small servo motors to close the horizontal panels when the vertical sash is opened. An alternative to this would be to have a dual sash system where the horizontal panels are located inside the CCD behind the vertical sash. Another alternative is to have safety panels mounted exterior to the sash that can be moved into position to function much the same way as combination panels are used today.
- Average face velocity is still important, but in a future CCD system this is not very actionable data. Given the lack of training in most laboratories, it is unlikely that most users will know the significance of the face velocity number in predicting containment. Controllers will be more graphic and will look more like tablets. The graphic user interface will simplify the communication between the user and the CCD. Instead of a face velocity alarm the user will see much more useful and actionable information.
- While not specifically useful to the user, knowing much more about what is happening within the laboratory ventilation system will help optimize CCD performance. Today much of this data comes from sensors that are only calibrated occasionally and the system adjusted periodically. With more sensors and real time data, the overall laboratory environment can more readily be adjusted and optimized. Everything from temperature, lighting, humidity, noise and air quality can be monitored and adjusted to provide more user comfort along with increased safety and reduced energy consumption.
- To optimize containment, the CCD needs to know about cross drafts at the face of the fume hood. These disrupt laminar airflow into the fume hood, so detecting cross drafts is important to predicting containment. Additionally, other sensors are needed to detect turbulence. Turbulence detection is another important feature of the sensor array.
- To better understand how the laboratory ventilation system is performing in real-time, additional system information is needed. Monitoring the static pressure at the point where the CCD connects to ductwork not only reveals the load on the system, but changes in static pressure also indicate what is happening in and around the fume hood. In isolation this data may have little use, but when considered in context with other data it gives us insight to overall system performance. Additional useful information would include the duct velocity. Duct velocity not only has an impact on duct noise, but it also must maintain a minimum transport velocity to keep the contaminants in the air stream. In addition, knowing the total static pressure at the blower tells us the percentage of capacity we are using and is an indication of performance as well as energy usage. Again, coupled with other data this is another piece of the puzzle. The more we know, the better we can understand problems and find solutions.
- When we are considering re-entrainment and downwind impact of the fume plume, knowing the exhaust velocity is very important. As we become more aware and concerned about what is being discharged into the atmosphere, we will want to know a lot more about the content of the discharge and where it is going. Conditions on the roof such as temperature, wind speed and direction will help us take control over the discharge stream.
- Knowing the type of work that is being performed in the CCD is important in understanding the risk factor. This can be user entered data or a combination of sensor data and user data. The purpose of this data is to determine the risk factor for exposure and danger level from exposure. In a smart system, the CCD could adjust performance to match the risk level.
- The user’s training level can be obtained from the laboratory records and it shows whether the user is trained and qualified to use the CCD and whether the user has training specific to the procedure to be performed. The smart CCD can offer point of use training and safety reminders.
- Differential pressure between the inside of the fume hood and the laboratory is one of the best indications of momentary loss of containment. Strong negative pressure within the fume hood is a good indicator of containment when factored with other variables
- Room Temperature and humidity impact the air movement. Temperature gradients within the room impact turbulence and cross drafts. Monitoring and understanding these factors can help improve CCD performance.
- The temperature inside a fume hood is a micro version of what is happening in the laboratory. Monitoring this temperature helps predict turbulence and potential problems associated with the process, such as excessive heat or fire.
- Automatic sash movement will eliminate a safety risk. The sash not only becomes a physical safety barrier, it becomes a means of access control. Remembering to lower the sash to the operating position or to close it when finished becomes a thing of the past.
- It will be possible for the CCD to maintain a usage log automatically and to summarize any level of usage detail. Information such as who used the CCD, for how long and how many red conditions occurred during their usage will be gathered for later analysis.
- The ability to generate fog will allow the visualization of airflow within the hood and show the impact of the equipment setup on airflow. This tool allows the user to make adjustments to the setup before loss of containment occurs.
- Laser projection of images on the worktop, from simple boundaries to complex setups, can assist the user in fast and proper setup.
- Because the CCD is voice controlled, users will be able to use voice controls to record information and data. Voice controls can also be used to provide information, record notes and log data.
- Future CCDs will interface with building systems (general HVAC, laboratory ventilation, fire, security).
- The ability to integrate augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) into the CCD setup and procedures brings about a whole new experience.