Bigneat Chemcap Clearview Ductless Fume Hood

Overview

The Bigneat Chemcap Clearview Ductless Fume Hood is an engineered solution for containment and purification of laboratory air in environments where installation of conventional ducted ventilation infrastructure is impractical or cost-prohibitive. Unlike traditional fume hoods that exhaust conditioned air outdoors via fixed ductwork, the Chemcap Clearview operates on a recirculating principle: ambient laboratory air is drawn across the work surface at a controlled average face velocity of 0.5 m/s, passed sequentially through a pre-filter, activated carbon filter (type-selectable per chemical class), and optionally a HEPA filter, then returned to the room as purified air. This closed-loop design eliminates external venting, reduces HVAC load, and avoids atmospheric discharge of hazardous vapors—making it suitable for temporary labs, renovation-constrained facilities, mobile laboratories, and teaching environments requiring flexible placement without structural modification.

Key Features

• Modular, single-face polypropylene (PP) construction ensures chemical resistance to common acids, bases, and solvents while supporting long-term structural integrity.
• Touch-button control interface with visual and audible low-airflow alarm (triggered below 0.4 m/s) provides real-time operational feedback and user safety assurance.
• Quiet operation at < 50 dB(A), enabling use in open-plan laboratories or shared research spaces without acoustic disruption.
• Pre-filters are designed for safe removal under negative pressure conditions—minimizing operator exposure during maintenance.
• Fold-down sash with sealed front access allows full enclosure of the work area during non-use or high-risk procedures.
• Standard 60 W fan motor (120 W for dual-filter variants) delivers consistent airflow with minimal energy demand—reducing annual HVAC compensation costs by up to 30% compared to equivalent ducted systems.
• Wing-shaped (BC-4002) or teardrop/trapezoidal (BC-6003–BC-1506) inlet geometry optimizes laminar flow profile and minimizes turbulence-induced containment failure.

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The Chemcap Clearview accommodates standard benchtop instrumentation including hot plates, centrifuges, pH meters, and small-scale synthesis apparatus. Its internal dimensions (e.g., 1170 × 520 × 810 mm for BC-1204) support multi-step workflows within defined hazard zones. Filter selection must be matched to anticipated contaminants: OS filters target volatile organic compounds (e.g., acetone, ethanol, toluene); H+ filters address hydrochloric, nitric, and sulfuric acid vapors; F-type filters are validated for formaldehyde abatement per ISO 16000-23; AM filters neutralize ammonia and amines; MP filters provide broad-spectrum adsorption; and HEPA filters (EN 1822-1:2019 H14 grade) capture ≥99.995% of particles ≥0.3 µm. All units comply with ASHRAE 110:1995 tracer gas testing protocols, BS 7989:2001 performance criteria, and French AFNOR standards NF X 15-211 (performance) and NF X 15-203 (safety). Units are CE-marked and documented for GLP-compliant laboratory environments.

Software & Data Management

While the Chemcap Clearview operates as a standalone mechanical system without embedded microprocessors or cloud connectivity, its design supports integration into institutional safety management frameworks. Each unit includes a serialized filter life log card compliant with ISO/IEC 17025 documentation requirements. Optional digital filter usage trackers (retrofittable) record cumulative runtime and alert users prior to scheduled replacement—supporting audit readiness for ISO 9001, ISO 14001, and FDA 21 CFR Part 11–aligned quality systems. Filter change records, airflow verification logs, and ASHRAE 110 test reports are maintained manually or via LIMS-compatible templates provided in the operator manual.

Applications

• Undergraduate and graduate teaching labs performing qualitative organic analysis, titrations, or reagent dispensing where intermittent VOC exposure occurs.
• QC/QA laboratories handling stability-indicating assays, reference standard preparation, or packaging validation involving low-to-moderate volatility compounds.
• Pharmaceutical cleanrooms requiring localized containment during lyophilization vial capping or excipient blending—without compromising ISO Class 5/7 environmental integrity.
• Field-deployable analytical setups (e.g., portable GC-MS) requiring rapid setup in non-dedicated spaces such as hospital basements or shipping containers.
• Maintenance workshops processing electronic components with flux removers or conformal coatings containing alcohols and esters.

FAQ

How often must the carbon and HEPA filters be replaced?
Filter service intervals depend on usage intensity and contaminant concentration. Under typical academic lab conditions (4 hrs/day, moderate VOC load), carbon filters require replacement every 6–12 months; HEPA filters last 18–24 months. Bigneat provides a filter life estimation tool based on compound type, molecular weight, and exposure duration.
Can the Chemcap Clearview be used for perchloric acid or hydrogen fluoride?
No. Perchloric acid, hydrogen fluoride, radioactive isotopes, and nanoparticles fall outside the certified scope of ductless filtration. These applications require dedicated ducted hoods with wash-down capability or specialized scrubber systems.
Is third-party ASHRAE 110 certification available for individual units?
Yes. Bigneat partners with UKAS-accredited test laboratories to perform on-site face velocity mapping and SF₆ tracer gas containment testing per ASHRAE 110 Section 5.2. Certification reports include isokinetic sampling data and containment efficiency calculations.
Does the unit meet fire safety regulations for electrical equipment in laboratories?
All motors and controls are rated IP20 and comply with IEC 61000-6-3 (EMC) and IEC 60335-1 (general safety). The PP housing is self-extinguishing per UL 94 HB classification.
Can multiple Chemcap units share a centralized monitoring dashboard?
Not natively—but analog 4–20 mA airflow output signals (available on request) enable integration with building management systems (BMS) or custom SCADA platforms for fleet-level status monitoring.