What is local air conditioning? How does it differ from overall? We will explain the benefits of local air conditioning and a cost simulation comparing it with overall.

overall and local air conditioning

What is overall?

In the manufacturing processes of semiconductors, electronic components, precision equipment, pharmaceuticals, medical devices, etc., temperature and humidity control at the same air conditioning level is implemented for the entire process, floor, or building to guarantee product quality and performance and stabilize yields. This type of air conditioning method is called "overall."
These processes are generally carried out in "clean rooms" because they must be extremely clean and must avoid contamination (the introduction of foreign matter) such as fine dust particles and pollutants.

What is localized air conditioning?

What is localized precision air conditioning?

There are two types of precision air conditioning: overall conditioning and individual air conditioning. At Apiste, we call precision air conditioning that uses an individual air conditioning method that limits the target space "local precision air conditioning."

The story behind the birth of the local precision air conditioning unit

Advantages and problems of overall

Process management using overall creates a space where all processes can be operated and controlled at the same temperature, humidity, and even cleanliness. This makes it possible to achieve extremely high-quality process control. However, at the same time, various issues and difficulties must be overcome when introducing, operating, and managing overall. Here, we will consider the problems and challenges associated with overall.

The design concept for overall must take into full consideration the size of the manufacturing process, the scale of the manufacturing equipment, the level of process refinement, the required temperature and humidity of the process, and changes in the characteristics of raw materials. The required cleanliness of the process is also essential, and the higher the required specification level, the greater the following problems become.

In actual construction and operation...

• It requires a lot of construction costs and time.
• There are various energy costs involved, such as electricity and water.
• In addition, maintenance costs such as regular inspections and HEPA filter replacement are required.

In terms of temperature and humidity control in the process...

• The temperature and humidity required by each process cannot be controlled individually.
• It is not possible to quickly respond to changes in temperature and humidity required by individual processes.
• It is greatly affected by changes in the outside air, such as the seasons and climate.
• Because it is a large space, the actual temperature and humidity are not uniform and vary.

Furthermore, if the air conditioning equipment is subject to the Fluorocarbons Emissions Control Law...

• There will be an obligation to regularly inspect all inspections and record and store maintenance history.
• In the event of a refrigerant leak, you will be required to take appropriate measures and report the amount of leakage.
• You will be required to hand over the refrigerants to the filling and recovery company, provide a process control sheet, and issue a receipt certificate.

The large air conditioning equipment installed for overall uses refrigerant other than _CO2 or HFO, and the compressors often have an output of 7.5kW or more, making them Type 1 specified products subject to the Fluorocarbons Emissions Reduction Act.

Advantages of local precision air conditioning proposed by Apiste

With our immediate delivery system, you can quickly create a high-stability environment.

This can be achieved in as little as three days.

We can install a highly stability temperature and humidity environment in as little as three days from the day of business negotiations and on-site inspection.
Note: This assumes next-day delivery areas, so delivery times may vary depending on the area.
Note: Please prepare utilities such as power supply and water supply and drainage in advance.

Installation is easy! First, just connect the duct and electricity.

It can be installed in as little as an hour.

If the target equipment or space is almost sealed, a constant temperature environment can be achieved in as little as one hour by connecting a duct to the precision air conditioning unit and installing the electrical wiring.
Note: The above is based on an Air-cooling type temperature control model.
Note: Some drilling is required on the target device and target space side.
Note: Please prepare power supply in advance. Depending on the model, it will be single-phase or three-phase.

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This reduces the environment impact and significantly reduces costs and time.

• Significant reduction in initial costs
• Significant reduction in running costs
• Significant reduction in maintenance costs
• Drastic reduction in meeting time
• Dramatically reduced shipping lead times
• Significant reduction in construction period

We offer many other benefits as well.

• Because it is a localized space, highly stability temperature and stability can be achieved.
• Relocation is easy! We can also accommodate changes in required specification.
• Furthermore, we offer HFC alternative types that are environment friendly and not subject to the Fluorocarbon Emission Control Law.

Cost simulation of overall and local air conditioning

For example, let's consider the total expected cost of overall and local air conditioning under the following conditions.

Looking at the total estimated costs on the right by expense item, we can see that the initial cost of overall is of course large, but the running costs, mainly electricity bills, are higher than expected.
Local air conditioning,

This significantly reduces initial costs.

• Clean room construction costs
• Air conditioner cost
• Clean unit cost
• Utility construction costs

Running costs can be significantly reduced.

• Electricity bill (air conditioning)
• Electricity bill (FFU)
• Electricity bill (lighting)

Maintenance costs can be significantly reduced.

• Regular inspections fee
• HEPA filter cost

Points to note regarding temperature and humidity stability for overall and local air conditioning

stability temperature and humidity in a target space is mainly related to the following factors, and the larger overall, the greater the impact. Therefore, the larger overall, the more bloated the air conditioning system must be to maintain high stability.

Size of the target space

The larger the target space, the more difficult it becomes to maintain temperature and humidity with high stability.

Ventilation frequency and air volume

Increasing the number of ventilation cycles and increasing the air volume will result in a more uniform distribution of temperature and humidity, making it easier to maintain high stability and also increasing the cleanliness of the target space, but this will also increase maintenance costs.

Cooling/heating capacity and dehumidification/humidification capacity

If the cooling/heating/dehumidifying/humidifying capacity is not sufficient to bring the maximum/minimum temperature and humidity conditions of the intake air (OA) of the air conditioner to the target temperature and humidity conditions of the target space, not only will the target temperature and humidity conditions not be achieved, but the temperature and humidity will also be unstable and will be susceptible to external disturbances.

Air conditioning control method

Depending on the air conditioning system used, this may cause fluctuations in temperature and humidity. Large coolers that require defrosting may deviate from the desired temperature and humidity conditions during defrosting. Large wet-type humidifiers lower the air temperature due to the latent heat of vaporization. Adsorption-type dehumidifiers, also known as desiccant-type dehumidifiers, require a large amount of heat exhaust processing to heat and regenerate the rotor.

Heat intrusion/heat dissipation

If heat enters or dissipates from the surrounding area of the target space, it can cause disturbances to the target space, and depending on the magnitude of the heat intrusion or dissipation, it can have a significant impact, so insulation measures are necessary.

Outside air intake and outside air fluctuations

In the case of overall, fluctuations in the amount of outside air being introduced cause the temperature and humidity of the air taken in to fluctuate greatly depending on the weather, such as summer or winter, and the air being processed by the air conditioner (SA) also fluctuates accordingly, sometimes resulting in deviation from the target temperature and humidity conditions.

The temperature and humidity stability of overall and localized air conditioning is compared as follows:

The temperature and humidity stability of overall and localized air conditioning is compared as follows:

Improve your factory's manufacturing quality through air conditioning!

Apiste 's precision air conditioner (TCU/ECU) PAU series improves yield and manufacturing quality cost-effectively.

• High-stability temperature control at low cost
• Want to control temperature and humidity for each process?
• More efficient than overall or a full-scale clean room
  I want to save energy

See more precision air conditioner (TCU/ECU)