Evaluation of glass fiber Hepa filters as a function of media velocity

Conference · Sun Jul 01 04:00:00 EDT 2007

OSTI ID:21294680

Alderman, S L; Parsons, M S; Hogancamp, K U; Waggoner, C A ^[1]

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1. Mississippi State Univ., Institute for Clean Energy Technology, Starkville, MS (United States)

Section FC of the ASME AG-1 Code addresses glass fiber HEPA filters and restricts the media velocity to a maximum of 5 ft./min. Advances in filter media technology allow glass fiber HEPA filters to function at significantly higher velocities and still achieve HEPA performance. Ultrafine particles (< 100 nm) are removed by a diffusive capture mechanism. The removal efficiency of these particles is reduced at higher media velocities due to shorter residence times within the media matrix. Therefore, it is unlikely that higher media velocities for HEPA filters will be allowed without data to demonstrate the effect of media velocity on removal of particles in the smaller size classes. Additional questions remain regarding particle loading and filter lifetimes at higher media velocities. In order to address these issues, nuclear grade AG-1 HEPA filters obtained from two manufacturers have been evaluated at media velocities ranging from 4 to 8.8 ft./min. KCl was utilized as aerosol challenge material and data regarding filter lifetimes, loading characteristics, changes in filtering efficiency and the most penetrating particle size are presented. Results of this testing will be provided to the ASME AG-1 FC Committee for consideration in future versions of the HEPA standard and will be useful for the development of air filtration systems in a nuclear environment. (authors)

• Research Organization: WM Symposia, 1628 E. Southern Avenue, Suite 9 - 332, Tempe, AZ 85282 (United States)
• OSTI ID: 21294680
• Report Number(s): INIS-US--09-WM-07268
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

42 ENGINEERING
AEROSOLS
FIBERGLASS
FILTERS
PARTICLE SIZE
PARTICLES
STANDARDS
TESTING
VELOCITY