Partition High-Efficiency Particulate Air Filters (Partition HEPA) are core devices for achieving local cleanliness and airflow zoning in laboratory environmental control. Unlike conventional ceiling-mounted or air outlet HEPA filters, they build independent clean units or isolation areas through physical separation and high-efficiency filtration. They are widely used where strict particle contamination, cross-contamination, or biosafety control is required.
I. Core Definition and Working Principle
The separator high-efficiency filter features a built-in separation structure: a metal or high-strength plastic frame (often aluminum or stainless steel) filled with glass fiber or PTFE filter medium and sealed by rubber strips. The frame extends to form a partition plate, connecting to laboratory surfaces to fix the filter’s position and block direct airflow between sides.
Working principle
Airflow enters through the filter’s intake side. Particles ≥0.3μm are removed by interception, inertial collision, diffusion, and gravitational sedimentation (filtration efficiency ≥99.97%, as per EN 1822 or GB/T 13554 standards).
The filtered clean air flow is discharged from the “outlet side” and enters the target clean area.
The partition structure of the frame can prevent unfiltered airflow from leaking through the gaps, ensuring complete isolation of airflow between the clean area and the non-clean area.
Ii. Key Application Scenarios and Examples
The application essence of the partitioned high-efficiency filter is to “construct a local clean micro-environment as needed”. According to the type of laboratory and control requirements, it is mainly divided into the following categories:
1. Microbiology and biosafety Laboratory: Isolate pathogens and protect personnel
The core demands of microbiology laboratories (such as pathogen detection and cell culture) and biosafety laboratories (BSL-2/3) are to prevent the spread of pathogenic microorganisms and avoid cross-contamination of samples. The partite high-efficiency filter is a key component in achieving this goal.
| Application location | Functional objective | Specific examples |
| Biosafety cabinet | Form a vertical laminar flow clean area to isolate pathogens during operations | The Class II biosafety cabinet in the BSL-2 laboratory usually integrates a HEPA partition on the “rear wall of the working chamber” : after the external contaminated air is drawn in, it is filtered by the HEPA and then discharged, while the partition blocks the air flow interference between the inside and outside of the chamber. |
| Isolated incubator |
Maintain the sterility of the culture environment |
The isolation incubator for cell culture is equipped with a small HEPA partition on the inner side of the box to continuously filter the circulating air flow inside the box and prevent contamination of cells by miscellaneous bacteria. |
| Negative pressure isolation cabin | Control the operational scope of infectious disease samples | The edge of the “operation window” of the mobile negative pressure isolation chamber is equipped with a HEPA partition to ensure that the air discharged in the negative pressure environment inside the chamber is filtered before being released into the laboratory, preventing the leakage of pathogens. |
2. Chemical Analysis Laboratory: Ensure testing accuracy and personnel safety
Chemical analysis laboratories (such as trace analysis, chromatography/mass spectrometry detection) are extremely sensitive to particulate contamination (particles may adhere to the components to be measured, leading to result deviations), and at the same time, the diffusion of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) needs to be controlled. Partition high-efficiency filters are often used in combination with ventilation systems.
Chemical analysis laboratories (such as trace analysis, chromatography/mass spectrometry detection) are extremely sensitive to particulate contamination (particles may adhere to the components to be measured, leading to result deviations), and at the same time, the diffusion of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) needs to be controlled. Partition high-efficiency filters are often used in combination with ventilation systems.
Trace analysis operation table: Above the sample pretreatment table for atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS) and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), install the “Horizontal air outlet partition HEPA” – the partition of the filter is sealed and connected to the edge of the operation table, forming a horizontal laminar flow clean area to prevent dust in the laboratory environment from falling into the sample solution.
Fume hood auxiliary filtration: Some high-precision chemical fume hoods integrate HEPA partition boards on the “side panels of the cabinet”. When the ventilation system malfunctions briefly, the HEPA can temporarily filter out trace particles escaping from the cabinet, reducing pollution to the laboratory environment.
3. Electronic/Semiconductor Laboratory: Control micron-level particle contamination
In the manufacturing and testing laboratories of electronic chips and semiconductor devices, the control accuracy of particles is required to reach 0.1μm or even lower. The partition high-efficiency filter is the core equipment for building a “local 10-level / 100-level clean area”.
Fume hood auxiliary filtration: Some high-precision chemical fume hoods integrate HEPA partition boards on the “side panels of the cabinet”. When the ventilation system malfunctions briefly, the HEPA can temporarily filter out trace particles escaping from the cabinet, reducing pollution to the laboratory environment.
3. Electronic/Semiconductor Laboratory: Control micron-level particle contamination
In the manufacturing and testing laboratories of electronic chips and semiconductor devices, the control accuracy of particles is required to reach 0.1μm or even lower. The partition high-efficiency filter is the core equipment for building a “local 10-level / 100-level clean area”.
Wafer inspection table isolation: Around the operation table of the wafer surface defect detection equipment, a “closed chamber” is formed by a stainless steel frame partition HEPA – HEPA supplies air from the top and returns air from the bottom, creating a vertical unidirectional flow to ensure that the wafer surface is not contaminated by any particles during the inspection process.
Photoresist preparation room: Photoresist (the core material of semiconductor lithography process) is extremely sensitive to particles. A “ring-shaped partition HEPA” is installed at the opening of the preparation tank. The partition forms a sealing ring around the opening, and at the same time, the HEPA supplies clean air to the opening to prevent particles in the air from falling into the adhesive solution.
4. Food Testing laboratory: Prevent cross-contamination between microorganisms and foreign substances
Food testing laboratories (such as microbial limit testing and heavy metal testing) need to avoid cross-contamination among samples. The partite high-efficiency filter is mainly used for isolation in the “aseptic operation area” and the “sample preparation area”.
Photoresist preparation room: Photoresist (the core material of semiconductor lithography process) is extremely sensitive to particles. A “ring-shaped partition HEPA” is installed at the opening of the preparation tank. The partition forms a sealing ring around the opening, and at the same time, the HEPA supplies clean air to the opening to prevent particles in the air from falling into the adhesive solution.
4. Food Testing laboratory: Prevent cross-contamination between microorganisms and foreign substances
Food testing laboratories (such as microbial limit testing and heavy metal testing) need to avoid cross-contamination among samples. The partite high-efficiency filter is mainly used for isolation in the “aseptic operation area” and the “sample preparation area”.
Aseptic operation table: A super-clean workbench used for food microbiological testing. The “front and rear partitions of the working area” are essentially an extension of the partition HEPA – HEPA supplies air from the back or top, and the partition blocks the air flow exchange between the working area and the external environment, creating a local aseptic environment, which is used for the inoculation and culture of food samples.
Sample weighing area: Above the sample weighing platform for food heavy metal detection, an “inclined partition HEPA” is installed. The partition is inclined towards the weighing platform, and the clean air flows along the partition towards the sample, preventing laboratory dust from falling into the weighing bottle.
Iii. Key Considerations for Selection and Installation
The application effect of the partition high-efficiency filter depends on “correct selection + standardized installation”, and the following five points need to be focused on:
1. Filtration efficiency and medium selection
Select the model based on the cleanliness requirements: For regular laboratories, choose H13 grade (filtration efficiency for 0.3μm particles ≥99.97%). For electronic and semiconductor laboratories, choose H14 grade (≥99.997%) or U15 grade (≥99.9995%).
Medium adaptation scenarios: For damp environments (such as microbiological culture rooms), choose PTFE-coated glass fiber medium (moisture-resistant and easy to clean). For high-temperature environments (such as certain chemical reaction benches), glass fiber media with stainless steel frames (temperature resistance ≥200℃) should be selected.
2. Separation structure and sealing performance
Material of partition plates: For laboratories in contact with corrosive reagents (such as chemical analysis rooms), 316L stainless steel is selected. For general laboratories, aluminum alloy or ABS plastic can be selected.
Sealing performance: The frame should be equipped with neoprene rubber or silicone rubber sealing strips. During installation, a pressure tester should be used to test the leakage rate at the sealing area (≤0.01%) to prevent unfiltered airflow from leaking through the gap.
3. The direction of the airflow matches the wind speed
The airflow direction should be consistent with the laboratory requirements: horizontal laminar flow is suitable for surface protection of the operation table (such as sample weighing); Vertical laminar flow is suitable for three-dimensional clean areas (such as biosafety cabinets).
Wind speed control: The wind speed in the clean area should be maintained at 0.3 to 0.5m/s (in compliance with ISO 14644 standard). If it is too high, it will cause air flow disorder; if it is too low, it will be unable to effectively prevent external contamination.
4. Installation environment adaptability
The installation location should avoid vibration sources (such as centrifuges and vacuum pumps) to prevent damage to the filter medium caused by vibration.
The connection with the wall/operation table must be firm: metal frames can be fixed with bolts, and plastic frames can be bonded with sealant to ensure that there is no gap between the partition board and the base.
5. Maintenance and replacement cycle
Regular inspection: Use a particle counter to test the particle concentration on the air outlet side of the filter every six months. If the concentration exceeds the standard, it needs to be replaced in time.
Replacement cycle: It is generally recommended for laboratories to replace it once every 1 to 2 years. For high-pollution scenarios (such as biosafety cabinets), it is recommended to replace them every 6 to 12 months. When replacing, pay attention to “dust-free operation” to avoid the diffusion of particles on the old filter.
Iv. Differences from Other Filters‘’
Sample weighing area: Above the sample weighing platform for food heavy metal detection, an “inclined partition HEPA” is installed. The partition is inclined towards the weighing platform, and the clean air flows along the partition towards the sample, preventing laboratory dust from falling into the weighing bottle.
Iii. Key Considerations for Selection and Installation
The application effect of the partition high-efficiency filter depends on “correct selection + standardized installation”, and the following five points need to be focused on:
1. Filtration efficiency and medium selection
Select the model based on the cleanliness requirements: For regular laboratories, choose H13 grade (filtration efficiency for 0.3μm particles ≥99.97%). For electronic and semiconductor laboratories, choose H14 grade (≥99.997%) or U15 grade (≥99.9995%).
Medium adaptation scenarios: For damp environments (such as microbiological culture rooms), choose PTFE-coated glass fiber medium (moisture-resistant and easy to clean). For high-temperature environments (such as certain chemical reaction benches), glass fiber media with stainless steel frames (temperature resistance ≥200℃) should be selected.
2. Separation structure and sealing performance
Material of partition plates: For laboratories in contact with corrosive reagents (such as chemical analysis rooms), 316L stainless steel is selected. For general laboratories, aluminum alloy or ABS plastic can be selected.
Sealing performance: The frame should be equipped with neoprene rubber or silicone rubber sealing strips. During installation, a pressure tester should be used to test the leakage rate at the sealing area (≤0.01%) to prevent unfiltered airflow from leaking through the gap.
3. The direction of the airflow matches the wind speed
The airflow direction should be consistent with the laboratory requirements: horizontal laminar flow is suitable for surface protection of the operation table (such as sample weighing); Vertical laminar flow is suitable for three-dimensional clean areas (such as biosafety cabinets).
Wind speed control: The wind speed in the clean area should be maintained at 0.3 to 0.5m/s (in compliance with ISO 14644 standard). If it is too high, it will cause air flow disorder; if it is too low, it will be unable to effectively prevent external contamination.
4. Installation environment adaptability
The installation location should avoid vibration sources (such as centrifuges and vacuum pumps) to prevent damage to the filter medium caused by vibration.
The connection with the wall/operation table must be firm: metal frames can be fixed with bolts, and plastic frames can be bonded with sealant to ensure that there is no gap between the partition board and the base.
5. Maintenance and replacement cycle
Regular inspection: Use a particle counter to test the particle concentration on the air outlet side of the filter every six months. If the concentration exceeds the standard, it needs to be replaced in time.
Replacement cycle: It is generally recommended for laboratories to replace it once every 1 to 2 years. For high-pollution scenarios (such as biosafety cabinets), it is recommended to replace them every 6 to 12 months. When replacing, pay attention to “dust-free operation” to avoid the diffusion of particles on the old filter.
Iv. Differences from Other Filters‘’
To have a clearer understanding of the positioning of the partitioned high-efficiency filter, it can be compared with other commonly used filters in the laboratory through the following table:
| Filter type | Core function | Application scenarios | Key advantages |
| Partitioned high-efficiency filter | Filtering + physical separation | Local clean areas, isolation units | It has both filtering and partitioning functions, and is highly flexible |
| Ceiling-mounted HEPA |
Overall clean area supply air |
The overall ceiling of the clean laboratory | It has a wide coverage and is suitable for large clean areas |
| Bag-type medium efficiency filter | Pretreatment (filtering 1-10 μm particles) |
Front end of the air conditioning fresh air system |
It has a large dust-holding capacity and protects the high-efficiency filters at the back end |
| Activated carbon filter | Adsorb VOCs and odors | Ventilation system for the chemistry laboratory | It is specifically designed to remove gaseous pollutants but has no function of filtering particles |
V. Summary
The core value of the partite high-efficiency filter in laboratory environmental control lies in “precise and localized clean control” – it does not require high-level clean transformation of the entire laboratory. By simply combining “filtration + separation”, it can create a micro-environment that meets the requirements at key operation points (such as sample processing, instrument detection, and aseptic operation). It not only reduces the construction cost but also enhances the flexibility of pollution control. Its application effect directly determines the accuracy of experimental results, personnel safety and environmental compliance, and it is an indispensable key device in modern laboratories.
