Clean Glass Environment

Requirement:

Create an environment within a glass manufacturing facility that would allow delivery of glass surfaces from several production lines that are clean and crack free. The namufacturing plant that uses blended silicon as a base powder from which the glass is manufactured is notoriously warm and dusty throughout.

In the "clean glass" areas it is necessary to deliver uncontaminated laminar flow air that is temperature and humidity controlled on a year round basis.

Solution:

A central air cooled outdoor condensing unit serving an indoor chiller barrel and pumps delivers a year round constant chilled water temperature to several separate air handling systems, each of which deliver filtered recirculated air over the "clean glass" surface at laminar velocities and direction.

The indoor heat exchange barrel allows for the use of water distribution throughout the plant and eliminates the concern for toxic or contaminating antifreeze liquids.

SCR controlled electric reheat delivers controlled dew point temperature air at the dry bulb temperature required.

All surfaces in the air stream are corrosion resistant (Stainless Steel, Copper and fiber filter media), without the use of galvanized or painted steel.

All process controls are of electronic type, including filter pressure drop.

The process rooms through which the "clean glass" conveyor passes are pressurized to prevent infiltration of dust laden plant air. Wall construction is of double wall, insulated stainless steel panels with end walls of filters and return air distribution grid.

5/3/99

Kenneth W. Wicks

ASHRAE Fellow