Our areas of expertise
Controlled environments
Control every parameter for optimum performance
TemperatureAmbient, or extremes with minute tolerances?
Thermal control in controlled environments can far exceed the requirements of a standard cleanroom. While a "standard" cleanroom might tolerate an ambient temperature of 19-22°C, some controlled environments require accuracies of the order of ±0.1°C. This is the case in some research laboratories equipped with high-precision lasers, where the slightest thermal fluctuation would directly affect optical stability and measurement accuracy.
Extreme-temperature applications demonstrate the added technical complexity. Consab has developed the expertise to create environments specific to your requirements. For example, cold rooms at -30°C, used for ultra-sensitive pharmaceutical products such as blood plasma, require precise tolerance (±3°C maximum), as any deviation would render an entire batch unusable. Conversely, incubation rooms at 45°C accelerate the development of specific micro-organisms.
The impact of such levels of control on HVAC system design is considerable. Achieving this level of precision requires not only specialized equipment, but also a higher number of air changes per hour and extremely precise modulation systems. Conventional air-conditioning systems become insufficient, requiring dedicated refrigeration or heating technologies, significantly impacting architectural design and installation costs. A clear definition of your needs is essential to maximize your project's return on investment. To have a Consab expert help you define your requirements, schedule a free meeting at a time that suits you best.
Thermal control in controlled environments can far exceed the requirements of a standard cleanroom. While a "standard" cleanroom might tolerate an ambient temperature of 19-22°C, some controlled environments require accuracies of the order of ±0.1°C. This is the case in some research laboratories equipped with high-precision lasers, where the slightest thermal fluctuation would directly affect optical stability and measurement accuracy.
Extreme-temperature applications demonstrate the added technical complexity. Consab has developed the expertise to create environments specific to your requirements. For example, cold rooms at -30°C, used for ultra-sensitive pharmaceutical products such as blood plasma, require precise tolerance (±3°C maximum), as any deviation would render an entire batch unusable. Conversely, incubation rooms at 45°C accelerate the development of specific micro-organisms.
The impact of such levels of control on HVAC system design is considerable. Achieving this level of precision requires not only specialized equipment, but also a higher number of air changes per hour and extremely precise modulation systems. Conventional air-conditioning systems become insufficient, requiring dedicated refrigeration or heating technologies, significantly impacting architectural design and installation costs. A clear definition of your needs is essential to maximize your project's return on investment. To have a Consab expert help you define your requirements, schedule a free meeting at a time that suits you best.
HumidityFrom aridity to controlled saturation
Humidity control can sometimes present technical challenges, especially in anhydrous environments. For applications such as the manufacture of lithium-ion batteries, for example, humidity must be drastically low, with dew points reaching -40°C to -70°C. This requirement stems from the extreme reactivity of lithium with water, which forms lithium hydroxide and hydrogen gas, creating risks of explosion. Safety on production lines is therefore the key to these control parameters.
Such conditions call for the integration of desiccant units (adsorption dehumidifiers), complex and costly equipment that absorbs humidity from the air in a highly efficient manner. These systems use adsorbent materials such as activated alumina or molecular sieves, representing a significantly higher investment than conventional HVAC systems. In these cases, energy consumption for dehumidification can account for 40-60% of total plant consumption. Once again, a good definition of your needs can really influence the choice of materials and equipment required for your project.
Conversely, some applications require very humid environments. The cultivation of mushrooms, cannabis in indoor greenhouses, or other specialized organisms may require very high humidity levels, while keeping other parameters under strict control. Acceptable variability is a key factor of complexity: maintaining a stability of ±2.5% relative humidity, as required for some precision laser equipment, requires sophisticated control systems.
Humidity control can sometimes present technical challenges, especially in anhydrous environments. For applications such as the manufacture of lithium-ion batteries, for example, humidity must be drastically low, with dew points reaching -40°C to -70°C. This requirement stems from the extreme reactivity of lithium with water, which forms lithium hydroxide and hydrogen gas, creating risks of explosion. Safety on production lines is therefore the key to these control parameters.
Such conditions call for the integration of desiccant units (adsorption dehumidifiers), complex and costly equipment that absorbs humidity from the air in a highly efficient manner. These systems use adsorbent materials such as activated alumina or molecular sieves, representing a significantly higher investment than conventional HVAC systems. In these cases, energy consumption for dehumidification can account for 40-60% of total plant consumption. Once again, a good definition of your needs can really influence the choice of materials and equipment required for your project.
Conversely, some applications require very humid environments. The cultivation of mushrooms, cannabis in indoor greenhouses, or other specialized organisms may require very high humidity levels, while keeping other parameters under strict control. Acceptable variability is a key factor of complexity: maintaining a stability of ±2.5% relative humidity, as required for some precision laser equipment, requires sophisticated control systems.
CO2 levelsStimulating growth
Precise control of carbon dioxide is critical in specialized applications where cellular or plant life is at the heart of the process. For the cultivation of plants or organisms, precise control of CO2 levels is fundamental. In indoor cannabis cultivation facilities, CO2 levels, coupled with lighting, temperature and humidity, must be carefully managed to optimize growth, without dust being the main requirement.
Precise control of carbon dioxide is critical in specialized applications where cellular or plant life is at the heart of the process. For the cultivation of plants or organisms, precise control of CO2 levels is fundamental. In indoor cannabis cultivation facilities, CO2 levels, coupled with lighting, temperature and humidity, must be carefully managed to optimize growth, without dust being the main requirement.
Cell culture in bioreactors is a perfect illustration of this complexity. Dissolved CO2 levels often need to be maintained between 2-10%, depending on the cell lines grown. According to some studies, optimal control of dissolved CO2 can increase cell growth rates by 30% and production rates by over 35%. Real-time measurement and control systems are becoming indispensable, using specialized probes integrated directly into bioreactors.
BrightnessAdapted lighting
Some processes require precise control not only of light intensity, but also of spectral composition. Specialized lighting goes beyond simple intensity control, to reach specific wavelengths. In photolithography or for materials sensitive to white light, special yellow lights are required. Control is not limited to intensity, but also to the type and wavelength of light, to avoid damaging light-sensitive products.
Some processes require precise control not only of light intensity, but also of spectral composition. Specialized lighting goes beyond simple intensity control, to reach specific wavelengths. In photolithography or for materials sensitive to white light, special yellow lights are required. Control is not limited to intensity, but also to the type and wavelength of light, to avoid damaging light-sensitive products.
In contrast, some cleanrooms and high-precision controlled environments incorporate lighting systems with a chromatic rendering index (CRI) of over 90 for optimum chromatic discrimination. Lighting can be programmed with temporal variations simulating natural cycles, particularly important for biological applications. More important than you might imagine, lighting is a very important factor in many applications.
Static electricityThe invisible protector
In the electronics industry and when handling ultra-sensitive components, controlling static electricity becomes vital to avoid potentially destructive discharges. Static electricity can generate charges of several thousand volts in manufacturing environments, attracting particles and damaging sensitive components.
In the electronics industry and when handling ultra-sensitive components, controlling static electricity becomes vital to avoid potentially destructive discharges. Static electricity can generate charges of several thousand volts in manufacturing environments, attracting particles and damaging sensitive components.
Technical solutions include the use of dissipative materials in floors and work surfaces, directing electricity to earth with controlled resistance. Active ionization systems can reduce particulate contamination levels by over 90% in medical device manufacturing applications. Anti-static bars generate an ionic field that transforms air molecules into positive and negative ions, effectively neutralizing electrostatic charges. When it comes to protecting employees and production alike, controlling static electricity can be more than important. It all depends on your processes and the equipment you produce.
VibrationsState-of-the-art stability
In calibration rooms or laboratories equipped with highly sensitive measuring equipment, the slightest vibration can critically affect results. In precision laboratories equipped with nanometric instruments, even sub-hertzian vibrations can compromise measurement integrity.
In calibration rooms or laboratories equipped with highly sensitive measuring equipment, the slightest vibration can critically affect results. In precision laboratories equipped with nanometric instruments, even sub-hertzian vibrations can compromise measurement integrity.
Complex architectural solutions include special foundations with thick concrete slabs to absorb vibrations transmitted by the building. Active isolation can reduce vibration transmissions by over 30 dB (97%) in the critical 3-50 Hz range. Active optical tables, for more advanced cases, use pneumatic and closed-loop control systems to maintain resonance frequencies below 1.5 Hz. This level of precision can make all the difference in some practical applications.
How to manage gradients?
Airlocks and buffer zones
Similar to cleanrooms, airlocks and support areas are crucial buffer zones in controlled environments, to manage abrupt parameter transitions. To access a -30°C freezer from a 25°C environment, an intermediate airlock at 5°C can create a gradual gradient, minimizing condensation and thermal shocks. Differential pressure systems also allow for different containment strategies: cascade (30Pa → 20Pa → 10Pa), bubble (maximum pressure in the airlock), or well (minimum pressure in the airlock). It's a question of carefully designing the architecture of your project, to adapt it perfectly to your needs and use cases.
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Training areaAccess detailed materials that demystify technical concepts, answer frequently asked questions about costs, ISO classifications, materials, and best practices for using and maintaining your cleanroom.
Explore these contents
Visuals and infographics
Discover explanatory diagrams on airflow, filtration systems, pressure management, and different wall types (modular vs. non-modular) for a better understanding of technical aspects.
Browse infographics
Achievements and case studies
Immerse yourself in detailed accounts of our past projects, with the challenges, Consab solutions and concrete results achieved for our customers.
Discover our achievements
