HEPA filter monitoring program interim report, October 1984. [High efficiency particulate air (HEPA)]
The testing and replacement of HEPA filters, widely used in the nuclear industry to purify process air, are costly and labor-intensive. Current methods of testing filter performance, such as differential pressure measurement and scanning air monitoring, allow determination of overall filter performance but preclude detection of incipient filter failure such as small holes in the filters. Using current technology, a continual in-situ monitoring system has been designed which provides three major improvements over current methods of filter testing and replacement. The improvements include (1) cost savings by reducing the number of intact filters which are currently being replaced unnecessarily, (2) more accurate measurement of filter performance, and (3) reduced personnel exposure to a radioactive environment by automatically performing most testing operations. An XYZ sample system was designed and constructed to transport a sample probe to any location on a filter bank. Three stepping motors (one for motion in each direction) are used to move the probe along the twin-rail and rack and pinion axes. A serial interface card distributes movement commands to the proper axis indexer cards and driver cards, which in turn supply power to the stepping motors. Laser single-particle analysis was chosen as the most sensitive detection method for this monitoring system. A microprocessor is used as the central processing unit (CPU) for the target computer system. The target computer controls placement of the sample probe. It also acquires and analyzes the data obtained from the spectrometer. This sample system uses either ambient air or a generated aerosol to challenge the HEPA filters and to scan the downstream face of the filters to detect leaks. The target computer then calculates the filter efficiency.
- Research Organization:
- Rockwell International Corp., Golden, CO (USA). Rocky Flats Plant
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC04-76DP03533
- OSTI ID:
- 6204678
- Report Number(s):
- RFP-3762; ON: DE86006355
- Resource Relation:
- Other Information: Portions of this document are illegible in microfiche products. Original copy available until stock is exhausted
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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