Continuous scanning in-situ high efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter monitoring system
The testing and replacement of HEPA filters, which are widely used in the nuclear industry to purify process air, is a costly and labor-intensive undertaking. Using current technology, a continual in-site 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 and quantitative 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. Lasers 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 scan the downstream face of the filters to detect leaks. The target computer then calculates the filter efficiency. 3 refs., 3 figs., 3 tabs.
- Research Organization:
- Rockwell International Corp., Golden, CO (USA)
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC04-76DP03533
- OSTI ID:
- 6398334
- Report Number(s):
- RFP-3777; CONF-851082-2; ON: DE86001262
- Resource Relation:
- Conference: European conference on gaseous effluent treatment in nuclear installations, Luxembourg, Luxembourg, 14 Oct 1985; Other Information: Portions of this document are illegible in microfiche products
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
HEPA Filter Monitoring Program final report, September 1985
Performance Evaluation of AG-1 FC HEPA Filters and Medium in Nuclear Complex Facilities - 20434
Related Subjects
AIR FILTERS
PERFORMANCE TESTING
NUCLEAR FACILITIES
EFFICIENCY
LEAK DETECTORS
MICROPROCESSORS
MONITORING
PARTICULATES
PROBES
REMOVAL
COMPUTERS
ELECTRONIC CIRCUITS
EQUIPMENT
FILTERS
MICROELECTRONIC CIRCUITS
PARTICLES
POLLUTION CONTROL EQUIPMENT
TESTING
500300* - Environment
Atmospheric- Radioactive Materials Monitoring & Transport- (-1989)