INDEX

5/S0

General on Air Filtration

oprema
10430 SAMOBOR
KRALJA KREŠIMIRA IV b.b.
H R V AT S KA
TEL: (**385 1) 33 62 513
FAX: (**385 1) 33 62 905
 INDEX

oprema
Introduction
Ambient air, outdoor as well as indoor, may be exposed to contamination by solid or liquid particles of mineral or organic origin
particles usually called aerosols. The size of particles can range from 0.001 ìm to 100 ìm. Particles greater than 10 ìm are
normally deposited to the ground, while those smaller than 1 ìm, and particularly those smaller than 0.3 ìm, remain suspended
in the air. Average atmospheric concentration of these particles above European continent is measured in millions per litre of air.
These particles are generally classified in categories as follows:

· Dust - small solid particles

· Smoke - basically, tiny solid particles
· Fog, mist - small droplets
· Haze - very small droplets
· Vapour - gaseous matter

Generation sources of these particles are:

· Natural processes on the Earth surface,

· Vegetation on the Earth surface,
· Living beings, including humans
· Man-invented and operated technological processes

By use of absolute * filters, that concentration can be reduced to the level as low as 3.5 particles per litre of air, and even less.
Besides dust, outdoor or indoor ambient air may contain also live micro-organisms, microbes, ferments, fungi, bacteria, viruses,
etc. The air, that is completely free from micro-organisms, is called clean, sterile air. It can be produced only by filtration of air
through absolute filters.
As some researches presented, there exists certain ratio between the number of live particles and the number of inert particles
(organic and in-organic). The ratio ranges between 1:500 and 1:12000, the most frequently being 1:1000.
After passing an absolute filter, the air is practically clean and sterile. In case even higher safety in terms of sterility is required,
UV-light fixtures are installed after the absolute filter in order to eliminate possibly remaining micro-organisms. The chart
underneath presents the survey of types and sizes of various contaminating airborne particles.

Comparison Chart of Various Contaminating Particles (in Log Scale)

Log scale (ìm) 0,0001 0,001 0,01 0,1 1 10 100

.
Angstroms (A) 1 10 100 1000 10 000 100 000

Particle Types Ions Molecules Macro-molecules Micro-particles Macro-particles

Typical Particles Virus

Metallic Ions Bacteria
Pollen and Plant Spores
Tobacco Smokes
Lungs Harmful Dust Red Blood Cells
Coal and Cement Dust
Human
Hair
Methods of Observ- Light Scattering
ation and Particle Electron
Size Analysis Microscope Optically Visible
Microscope
Nuclei
Counter Sieves
High Efficiency
Suitable Types Absolute Filters
of Air Filters Activated Carbon Absorbers
Automatic Roll-type Filters
Bag-type Filters
Centrifugal Separators
Glass-fibre Filters
B.S. 3028 Sodium Chloride
Size Range of
Test Clouds A.F.I
D.O.P B.S.2831 Br.2
B.S.2831 Br.1Methylene Blue
Charcoal
* Absolute filters - popular term for suspended, airborne particles filters, due to their very high efficiency.
5/S0-02
 INDEX

oprema
General on Air Filtration
The main factors of influence in air filtration are filter materials, i.e., filter inserts, or just, filters: coarse, fine, and absolute filters for
suspended airborne particles. Coarse, fine and absolute filters when built in the final product (frame or metal sheet casing),
normally get group names, such as
- Panel filters
- Duct filters
- Wedge filters
- Ceiling diffuser with terminal filter, etc.
Filter, as a final product, normally consists of one, two or three filter inserts; the last in a row is called “filter”, and preceding filters
are called “pre-filters”.
In 1993 European Committee for Standardisation, Technical Committee 195, Work Group 1 (CEN/TC195-WG1) established a
new European standard for general ventilation filters (coarse and fine filters). With the introduction of the new standard under
document name EN 779, all member countries of the European Union are obliged to implement this new standard by issuing
their own national versions of this standard (e.g., BS EN 779 in the United Kingdom, or DIN EN 779 in Germany). The EN 779
standard is based on existing documents like EUROVENT 4/5 and ASHRAE 52.1:1992, but it is more stringent than its
predecessors are. In the EN 779 a new classification for coarse and fine filters has been compiled, based on average
dust/particle collection efficiency at certain final pressure drop. Filters with an initial dust spot efficiency E o < 20% are classified
as Arrestance Filters (Coarse Filters) and have an identification range G1 - G4. Final pressure drop for certification is £ 250 Pa.
Filters with an initial dust spot efficiency E o = 20% are classified as Efficiency Filters (Fine Filters) and have an identification
range F5 - F9. Final pressure drop for certification is £ 450 Pa.
Tables below present classification of ventilation filters according to various standards.

Classification of Ventilation Filters According to Various Standards

DIN
StF 24185 DIN 24185. Part 2 EN 779
Part 100

A A EU 1 Am < 65 – G1
COARSE

B1 EU 2 65 £ Am £ 80 – G2
B EU 3 80 £ Am £ 90 – G3
B2
EU 4 90 £ Am – G4
C1 EU 5 – 40 £ Em £ 60 F5
EU 6 – 60 £ Em £ 80 F6
FINE

C
C2
EU 7 – 80 £ Em £ 90 F7
C3 EU 8 – 90 £ Em £ 95 F8
– EU 9* – 95 £ Em F9

DIN DIN 24185, T1, E, Supplement A

StF 24185 EN 779
Part 100 E % 0.3 mm E % MPPS

Q EU 10 > 95 H10
R EU 11 > 98 H11
HEPA

Filters for suspended

EU 12 1 > 99.99 H12 3

S
airborne particles

EU 13 > 99.997 H13

EU 14 > 99.999 H14

E % 0.12 mm
> 99.9995
ULPA

EU 15 U15
EU 16 2 > 99.99995 U16 4
EU 17 > 99.999995 U17

5/S0-03
 INDEX

oprema
General on Air Filtration

Key:
1 - General absolute filters

2 - High efficiency absolute filters

3 - High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filters for airborne suspended particles

4 - Ultra Low Penetration Air (ULPA) filters for airborne suspended particles

StF - Staubforschungs-Institut (Dust Research Institute) in Bonn, Germany

DIN 24185, Part 2 German standard corresponding to European classification EUROVENT

EUROVENT - European Committee of Air-Handling, Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration

Equipment Manufacturers

EN - European Standards

Am % - Average synthetic dust weight arrestance for COARSE FILTERS

Em % - Average atmospheric dust spot efficiency for FINE FILTERS

E% - Mean fractional efficiency for HEPA and ULPA filters

MPPS - Most Penetrating Particle Size

HEPA - High Efficiency Particle Air Filter

ULPA - Ultra Low Penetration Air Filter

(This group includes also absolute filters with commercial names VHSI, MEGA,
SUPERMEGA, etc.)

SF - Sodium Flame Test

DOP - Dioctyl Phthalate Test

Survey of Most Frequent Filter Types and Constructions

- Roll-filters with glass fibre filter media - Compact high-capacity filters

- Roll-filters with synthetic fibre filter media - Absolute HEPA and ULPA filters
- Filters with synthetic fibre filter media, - Absolute filters for cleanrooms and surgical theatres
temperature resistant up to 200°C - High temperature resistance filters (up to 480°C)
- Synthetic fibre filters for paint booths - Charcoal filters
- Paper filters - Automatic roll-filters
- Synthetic fibre bag filters - Dust removing filters
- Synthetic and glass fibre bag filters - Electrostatic filters/precipitators
- Incinerable bag filters

5/S0-04
 INDEX

oprema
General on Air Filtration
99.9 0.1
Minimum

Efficiency (%)
Penetration of Particles of Certain Size efficiency
(acc. to CEN TC/WG2 N022 Draft)
Flow velocity = 5 cm/s
Pressure drop = 384 Pa
MPPS = 0.134 ìm
Besides efficiency of an absolute filter, defined by 99.99 Flow velocity = 4.50 cm/s 0.01
filter class in the range H10 to U17, another Pressure drop = 290 Pa
important characteristic to the user may be the size MPPS = 0.148 ìm
of a most penetrating particle through the filter
medium at certain air velocity. Therefore the test
described below is carried out. Flow velocity = 2.50 cm/s
Pressure drop = 187 Pa
MPPS = 0.158 ìm
The Most Penetrating Particle Size (MPPS) is 99.999 Flow velocity = 1.70 cm/s 0.001
determined for the given air velocity (the airflow Pressure drop = 99 Pa
MPPS = 0.172 ìm
direction is thereby perpendicular to the filter
surface).
Flow velocity = 1.30 cm/s
An aerosol and MPPS particles flow through the Pressure drop = 97 Pa
filter. Local and total efficiency is measured by MPPS = 0.189 ìm
99.9999 0.0001
means of Condensing Nuclei Counter (CNC) or by

Penetration (%)
laser spectrometer. Flow velocity = 0.90 cm/s
Pressure drop = 68 Pa
In line with the test results, filters are classified in MPPS = 0.212 ìm
classes H10 H14 for HEPA filters, and U15 U17
for ULPA filters respectively.
99.99999 0.00001
Penetration is defined as maximum permissible 0.01 0.05 0.07 0.10 0.20 0.30
.
local value of penetration of MPPS, which, Particle size (ìm)
expressed in percent, must not exceed five times
the integral value of penetration.

Penetration in relation
Efficiency in relation to MPPS to MPPS
Filter Class

Integral value Local value Integral value Local value

H 10 = > 85 – 15 –

H 11 = > 95 – 5 –

H 12 = > 99.5 97.5 0.5 2.5

H 13 = > 99.95 99.75 0.05 0.25

H 14 = > 99.995 99.975 0.005 0.025

U 15 = > 99.9995 99.9975 0.0005 0.0025

U 16 = > 99.99995 99.99975 0.00005 0.00025

U 17 = > 99.999995 99.9999 0.000005 0,0001

Note:
· Certificate on local penetration value is not required for class H10 and H11 filters.
· Filters in class H12, H13 and H14 may be tested by an oily liquid used in aerosol form ("oil mist test") in line
with DIN 24184 standard, that is generally accepted as more well-known than local penetration value.
· Class U17 filter is an exemption from the rule; in this case local value of penetration (expressed in percent)
must not exceed twenty times the integral value of penetration.

5/S0-05
 INDEX

oprema
General on Air Filtration
Guideline Values for Coarse and Fine Filters

Coarse Filters

Class G1* G2* G3* G4*

Recommended
value of flow 2.5 2.0 2.0 2.0
velocity (m/s)
Unit
capacity 9000 7200 7200 7200
(m3/h,m2)
Initial
pressure drop 40 40 45 60
(Pa)
Recommended
value of final 100 - 200
pressure drop 150 - 200 160 - 200 160 - 200
(Pa)
Average
arrestance 75 - 80 80 - 85 87 - 92
Am (%)

Permiss. operat.
temperature -30 do 120 do 100 do 100 do 100
(°C)

Thickness
10 ÷ 20 13 ÷ 25 15 ÷ 20 20
(mm)

Fine Filters

Class F5 * F6 ** F7 ** F8 ** F9 **

Recommended
value of flow 0.9 2.5 2.0 2.5 3.5
velocity (m/s)
Unit
capacity 3240 9000 7200 7200 12600
(m3/h,m2)
Initial
pressure drop 90 80 100 120 120 - 140
(Pa)
Recommended
value of final 200 - 400 250 350 350 450
pressure drop
(Pa)
Average
arrestance 45 ÷ 50 60 ÷ 80 80 ÷ 90 90 ÷ 95 više od 95
Em (%)
Permiss. operat.
temperature do 100 - 30 do + 90 - 30 do + 90 - 30 do + 90 - 30 do + 90
(°C)

Thickness
20 100 78 100 292
(mm)

* - Plane, flat panel filter insert, filter in rolls, or bag filter

** - Minipleat filter insert, built in frames of various forms

5/S0-06
 INDEX

oprema

Detail of HEPA Minipleat filter insert

5/S0-07