- info@labman.be
- + 32 478 90 51 93
- Belgium, Luxembourg and Netherlands
Ductless fume hoods
Labman BV is official distributor for Erlab ductless fume hoods and filtration technologies for Belgium, Netherlands and Luxembourg.
Erlab and ductless fume hood benefits
Erlab is the inventor and market leader for ductless fume hood technology. Ductless fume hoods or ductless fume cabinets are a green alternative to ducted fume hoods for chemical handling. Ductless fume cabinets use carbon filtration to capture chemical vapors instead of exhausting the air via the ventilation system. The main advantages include:
- No exhaust of temperature conditioned lab air, resulting in thousands of euros of energy loss for each hood
- No exhaust of toxic chemicals to the environment
- More scalable: no limit linked to the maximum capacity of the ventilation system
- More flexible: no connection needed to the ventilation system, so the ductless fume cabinet is easier to relocate
- Much more stable air flow than ducted fume hoods, making it more suitable for pressure sensitive applications like weighing
Frequently asked questions
What is a ductless fume hood and how does a ductless fume hood work?
Ductless fume hoods protect the user against chemical vapors during laboratory work. The cabinet is made of 3 components:
- A cabinet/hood
- Ventilators
- Carbon filters (sometimes also particle filters)
The ventilators pull the air from the workstation through the carbon filters. The carbon filters capture the chemical vapors via a process called adsorption. After the filtration, the ventilators recirculate the clean air back into the laboratory.
What types of chemicals can and cannot be used in a ductless fume hood?
Ductless fume hoods can be used for approx. 70% of all chemical applications. The limitations are mainly when very large evaporation of volatile components take place, or when chemicals are heated. The Erlab evaliquest procedure can be submitted to see if ductless fume hood technology can be used for certain applications.
How do I select the correct filter for my application?
There are different types of activated carbon filters available for Erlab ductless fume cabinets that are optimized for specific groups of chemicals.
- AS type molecular filter: for predominantly organic vapors
- BE type molecular filters: for predominantly acidic and organic vapors
- F type molecular filters: for predominantly formaldehyde vapors
- K type molecular filters: for predominantly ammonia vapors
The best molecular filter type depends on the dominant vapor class of the chemical application. The Erlab evaliquest procedure can determine the best filter type based for your application.
For applications involving powder chemicals or installations in cleanrooms, particle filters can also be installed. Ductless fume hoods can be configured with HEPA H14 filters or ULPA U16 filters.
How often do filters need to be changed, and how is filter saturation monitored?
Filter lifetime of carbon filters depends on the following:
- Application type(s)
- Chemicals used
- Volumes of the used chemicals
- Concentration of the used chemicals
- Duration of chemical application
- Frequency of the chemical application
- Fume hood model and number of filter columns
- The ductless fume hood class according to the AFNOR NF X 15-211: 2009 standard
During the evaliquest risk assessment, filter lifetime can be estimated. It is advised to preventively replace the filters on the advised filter lifetime. Optional solvent sensors can also be integrated to monitor filter saturation of the main molecular filter layer.
Typical molecular filter lifetime is between 6 and 24 months.
Particle filters typically have a much longer lifetime. They are replaced after 5 years, or when the air speed starts to decrease due to the filter saturation.
What are the energy-saving and cost saving benefits of going ductless?
Ducted fume hoods are the largest energy users in the average laboratory. The energy consumption of ducted fume cabinets depend on the hood dimensions, the working hours, working days and the hood type (classical ducted fume hood, or fume hood with Variable Air Volume (VAC)). Here are some estimated yearly energy costs:
- 120 cm classical fume hood 8 working hours/day: 7300 euro/year
- 180 cm classical fume hood 8 working hours/day: 11 700 euro/year
- 120 cm classical fume hood 24 working hours/day: 35 800 euro/year
- 180 cm classical fume hood 24 working hours/day: 68 300 euro/year
This huge energy consumption is mainly due to air conditioning. All exhausted air needs to be compensated by the HVAC system and heated by the air conditioning. Ductless fume hoods recirculate the air into the lab. The energy consumption of ductless fume hoods is limited to the energy consumption of the ventilators, typically ranging between 200-300 euro/year.
Ductless fume hoods on the other hand also need replacement of the filters, which result in a consumable cost.
Our solutions
- Ductless fume cabinet
- Compliance: AFNOR NF X15-211: 2009
- Internal width: 764 mm
- Energy consumption: 65 W
- Sash opening: oblong type
Price on request
- Ductless fume cabinet
- Compliance: AFNOR NF X15-211: 2009
- Internal width: 969 mm
- Energy consumption: 65 W
- Sash opening: oblong type
Price on request
- Ductless fume cabinet
- Compliance: AFNOR NF X15-211: 2009
- Internal width: 1244 mm
- Energy consumption: 65 W
- Sash opening: oblong type
Price on request
- Ductless fume cabinet
- Compliance: AFNOR NF X15-211: 2009
- Internal width: 969 mm
- Energy consumption: 105 W
- Sash opening: reverso type
Price on request
- Ductless fume cabinet
- Compliance: AFNOR NF X15-211: 2009
- Internal width: 1244 mm
- Energy consumption: 160 W
- Sash opening: reverso type
Price on request
- Ductless fume cabinet
- Compliance: AFNOR NF X15-211: 2009
- Internal width: 1569 mm
- Energy consumption: 160 W
- Sash opening: reverso type
Price on request
- Ductless fume cabinet
- Compliance: AFNOR NF X15-211: 2009
- Internal width: 1769 mm
- Energy consumption: 160 W
- Sash opening: reverso type
Price on request
Ductless Fume Hoods for Safe and Flexible Laboratory Work in the Benelux
Ensure clean air and chemical safety in your lab with our state-of-the-art ductless fume hoods, also known as ductless fume cabinets. Designed for high-performance filtration and maximum user protection, these systems offer an energy-efficient and flexible alternative to traditional laboratory hoods—with no need for external ducting.
Why Choose a Ductless Fume Hood?
Whether you’re working in research, quality control, or education, a ductless fume hood provides a powerful solution for chemical handling and protection. These self-contained lab hoods capture hazardous vapors at the source and purify air through advanced filtration technology before safely recirculating it back into the workspace.
Key benefits include:
✅ No ductwork required – quick and cost-effective installation
✅ Mobility and flexibility – relocate as your lab evolves
✅ Energy-efficient – recirculating design reduces HVAC demand
✅ Advanced filtration – multi-layer filters for broad chemical protection
✅ Compliant with AFNOR NF X 15-211 standards – proven containment performance
Smart, Sustainable Safety
Our ductless systems combine chemical safety with sustainability. With zero emissions and reduced energy use, ductless fume cabinets are ideal for labs aiming to lower their environmental footprint without compromising on performance or compliance.
Applications
From academic institutions to biotech, pharma, and chemical R&D labs, our ductless fume hoods are trusted across the Benelux. Typical applications include:
Weighing and dilution of solvents
Sample preparation with volatile chemicals
Histology and cytology workflows
Cosmetics and fragrance formulation
Education and training labs
Expert Guidance and Local Support
Located in the Benelux? We’ve got you covered. Our local team of lab safety specialists will help you select the right ductless fume hood for your specific application. We also offer on-site assessments, maintenance services, and compliance advice to ensure long-term safety and performance.
Contact Us for a Free Consultation Whether you're upgrading an existing lab hood or planning a new lab setup, talk to our experts today. Let us help you choose the safest, smartest, and most sustainable ductless fume cabinet solution for your laboratory in the Benelux.
- info@labman.be
- + 32 478 90 51 93
- Belgium, Luxembourg and Netherlands