Clean Air – Computational Fluid Dynamics

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Pioneering CFD Technology to Transform Fume Cupboard Testing and Sustainability

Clean Air Ltd is redefining the standards of fume cupboard performance, safety, and sustainability through our groundbreaking Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) approach to type-testing. As the first in the industry to eliminate the reliance on harmful greenhouse gases for testing, we are setting a new benchmark for laboratory safety and environmental responsibility.

The Challenge: A Legacy of Unsustainable Testing

For decades, fume cupboards have been tested using methods that require controlled releases of SF₆, a gas with a global warming potential 24,300 times greater than CO₂. This traditional approach, while well-established, contradicts the sustainability goals of modern laboratories and contributes significantly to global emissions. As the demand for greener solutions in the scientific sector grows, an urgent need has emerged for an alternative that maintains the highest safety standards without the environmental cost.

The Breakthrough: CFD as a Sustainable and Superior Alternative

At Clean Air Ltd, we saw an opportunity to challenge convention. By harnessing advanced Computational Fluid Dynamics, we developed a precise digital method to analyse airflow dynamics within fume cupboards. Our CFD-driven approach replicates real-world test conditions with unparalleled accuracy, enabling:
- Elimination of SF₆ gas emissions – reducing carbon footprint without compromising safety.
- Continuous optimisation of fume cupboard designs – refining efficiency, energy use, and containment performance.
- Faster, more cost-effective testing – providing reliable results without the logistical and financial burden of traditional test protocols.
- A future-proofed testing methodology – aligning with evolving regulatory frameworks and sustainability policies.

Clean Air Ltd has developed the use of Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) to design and test Fume Cupboards supported by physical measurements on site. This Net Zero approach to testing will potentially save over 200t CO2e from being released every year. In addition, CFD has led to a drive in product development so we can offer safe and efficient fume cupboards.

The CFD technology involved in this project uses Dynamic Meshing to mimic equipment moving around a lab, to thoroughly test a fume cupboard’s performance, similar to that of BS EN 14175-3. This has been proven to be around 3x  more accurate than traditional test methods in a scientifically peer-reviewed paper.

Thanks to this technology, we have advanced insights into how air moves around the fume cupboard and where designs can be improved. 

Redefining Innovation in a Traditionally Conservative Industry

CFD is a powerful tool used in aerospace and automotive engineering but has remained underutilised in the fume cupboard industry—until now. Clean Air has taken this advanced technology and adapted it specifically for laboratory containment, ensuring that airflow modelling accurately predicts real-world scenarios. Our commitment to rigorous validation against physical tests has proven CFD’s ability to meet and exceed the performance assessment standards expected of conventional methods.

This innovation represents more than a technical achievement; it is a fundamental shift in how the industry approaches product development and safety compliance. By leading this change, Clean Air Ltd is empowering laboratories to adopt a more sustainable, scientifically robust, and cost-efficient way of ensuring operator protection.

The Impact: Real-World Benefits for Labs and the Environment

Our CFD-based approach to type-testing delivers tangible benefits across multiple dimensions:
•    Sustainability Leadership – By eliminating SF₆ from our testing process, we prevent substantial greenhouse gas emissions annually, supporting global net-zero initiatives.
•    Enhanced Safety and Performance – CFD analysis allows for more detailed insights into airflow behaviour, leading to better-designed fume cupboards with superior containment capabilities.
•    Cost Savings and Accessibility – Traditional type-testing is expensive and resource-intensive. Our CFD-driven model reduces costs and enables more frequent testing, helping laboratories optimise safety standards without excessive expenditure.
•    Regulatory Readiness – As environmental policies tighten, labs will need to move away from SF₆-based methods. Our CFD innovation positions Clean Air ahead of regulatory shifts, providing a future-proof solution.

Leading the Charge in Sustainable Laboratory Innovation

Clean Air’s CFD-based fume cupboard type-testing is more than an industry-first—it’s a catalyst for change. Our success demonstrates that sustainability and safety are not mutually exclusive but can be advanced together through intelligent innovation. We are actively engaging with industry bodies, regulatory authorities, and laboratory managers to accelerate the adoption of CFD-driven testing and drive the industry toward a cleaner, more responsible future.

By bringing aerospace-grade fluid dynamics into the world of laboratory safety, we are proving that bold thinking can disrupt long-standing practices for the better. The future of fume cupboard testing is here, and it is net-zero, precise, and designed to protect both people and the planet.