Fab-Tech Blog

"While the pace of innovation and the complexity of national challenges have accelerated, the labs have not kept stride...The federal government must reform the labs from their 20th century atomic-energy roots to create 21st century engines of innovation." ^[1]

In 2014, the Secretary of Energy established a Commission to Review the Effectiveness of the National Energy Laboratories. As directed by Congress, the Commission was charged with evaluating "the laboratories in terms of their alignment with the Department's strategic priorities, duplication, ability to meet current and future energy and national security challenges, size, and support of other Federal agencies." ^[2]

According to various analyses of the Commission's final report, it is widely held that any program to update or overhaul our national lab system should minimally include the following five major themes and/or design criteria: 

• Improved ownership costs
• Increased flexibility
• Increased collaboration
• Improved safety
• Sustainability 

Below, we'll examine each of these themes and explain how Fab-Tech's fluoropolymer coated stainless steel vent duct can play a significant role in aligning with these proposed national lab design criteria.

1) Ownership Costs 

Without question, one of the most important and universal decision drivers in any project is cost; even in state-of-the-art facilities where equipment and technology budgets seem limitless.

All government laboratories have a set amount of money that they are able to spend each year on operations and lab equipment. Budgets for construction or expansion are established within a strict project process, and A/E submittals are "reviewed by various federal agencies to ensure the design addresses the programmed goals and expectations." ^[3]

One way in which A/E firms can deliver on these budgets and expectations is by using long-lasting and durable equipment with high-value and low ownership costs. With respect to corrosive fume vent duct systems, Fab-Tech's PSP^® provides labs and process facilities with tremendous savings compared to FRP duct in the form of rapid installation, eliminated maintenance, and lowest ownership costs over the lifetime of the system. 

PSP^® fume exhaust duct does not require custom labor for installation; is easily field-modified; does not require the expense of routine protective coatings; can withstand heavy operational demands and regulatory requirements; and can be fully disassembled, re-used, and/or recycled in an end-of-use scenario without the hazardous waste disposal costs that other systems can incur. 

 

Research objectives and resources within laboratories can come under pressure given the rapidly changing world in which we live. Since national labs may be equally susceptible, they must be built in a manner that is flexible and accommodative to various uses.

 

By installing equipment that is multi-functional and can be used across diverse applications over the lifetime of the facility, national labs stand to not only improve research versatility, but save valuable time and money by minimizing operational downtime in periods of transition. 

 

 

3) Collaboration

One of the fastest growing trends in university and private sector labs is the use of collaboration and "open space." The goal of open laboratories is to provide researchers with improved access to shared resources and to one another for team-based initiatives. ^[4]

The Ames national laboratory, located on the grounds of Iowa State University, employs this concept and is thus far the only DOE laboratory to be operated and located on a major research university campus. "Many of the scientists and administrators at the laboratory also hold faculty positions at the University, and the laboratory has access to both undergraduate and graduate student talent." ^[5]

Much like incorporating flexibility into national lab design, creating open and collaborative spaces will also necessitate equipment that is highly adaptable, versatile, and capable of handling the demands of various forms of research.

 

Upon considering the potential for broader collaboration between national and university labs, safety will take on even greater significance as it is among the foremost concerns in university settings.

Fab-Tech's 300 series stainless steel duct and proprietary fluoropolymer coating are designed specifically to protect laboratory personnel and high-purity work environments from the hazardous fumes and vapors that are routinely emitted in such settings.

 

Based on research and testing in over 400 chemical applications, PSP® fluoropolymer coated fume exhaust duct has been proven superior to both FRP and plastics when tested for corrosion resistance, chemical concentration tolerance, and upper temperature limit.

 

 

 

 

While highly efficient and multi-functional buildings are one part of the sustainability equation, a truly sustainable lab design must also utilize long-lasting, durable construction materials that have minimal disposal costs and low environmental impact.

Not only does PermaShield Pipe contain and help to prevent the unwanted release of hazardous fumes into our atmosphere, but it is designed with optimal durability and longevity in mind. Beyond meeting the lifetime demands of a lab or process facility, PSP^® is fully reusable, meaning it can be taken down and redeployed if necessary, and it is fully recyclable should the system reach an end-of-use scenario.

 

 

 

 

If you would like more information about PSP^® corrosive fume vent pipe and duct, please feel free to download our general information guide below:

OR

Read More About PermaShield Fluoropolymer Coated Fume Exhaust Duct Here

Sources:

[1] From The Information Technology and Innovation Foundation, The Center for American Progress, and The Heritage Foundation, “Turning the Page: Reimagining the National Labs in the 21st Century Innovation Economy” (2013), p. 5, available at https://itif.org/publications/2013/06/19/turning-page-reimagining-national-labs-21st-century-innovation-economy

[2] https://www.energy.gov/labcommission/downloads/final-report-commission-review-effectiveness-national-energy-laboratories

[3] Section D from - https://www.wbdg.org/building-types/research-facilities/government-laboratory

[4] https://www.wbdg.org/resources/trends-lab-design

[5] https://www.ameslab.gov/about