Test of filter media according to EN 1822

Thomas Krinke & Hans-Georg Horn

TSI Particle Seminars 2008

© 2007, TSI Incorporated
 Outline

• Filtration – Basics
• EN 1822 – Short Overview
• Solution for EN 1822 conform characterization
of filter media

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 Filter Testing – Introduction

Downstream Concentration
Penetration, P =
Upstream Concentration

Efficiency, E = 1 - P

Most Penetrating Particle Size, MPPS:

Typically between 0.05 and 0.3 µm

Mechanical Media: 100 nm < MPPS < 300 nm

Electro-Static and Membrane: MPPS < 100 nm

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 Filtration Mechanisms
Action of Brownian motion. Best capture with small particles, fine
Diffusion fibers and low velocities. Independent of particle density.

Interception Particles travel along streamlines and are caught because of their
size. Ratio of particle to fiber size is important.
Inertial Particles deviate from the streamlines due to inertia and impact on
the fibers. Large particles, high density, high velocity and small fibers
Impaction is most efficient.

Electrostatic Particle is attracted to the fiber by electrical forces.

Deposition
Inertial Impaction Electrostatic
Attraction

(-)
(+)
Filter
Fiber

Brownian Diffusion
Interception
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 Filter Efficiency Curve
100%

80%
Efficiency

60% INTERCEPTION
DIFFUSION AND
INERTIAL
IMPACTION
40% DIFFUSION
AND
INTERCEPTION

20%

0%
0.01 0.1 1
Particle Diameter [µm]

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 Filter Penetration

100

Most Penetrating Particle Size (MPPS)

10
% Penetration

Diffusion Inertial Impaction

1 and
Diffusion Interception
and
0.1 Interception

0.01

0.001
0.01 0.1 1 10

Particle Diameter (µm)

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 Penetration versus Particle Size

Effect of
Particle Deposition Mechanisms
and Flow Rate (Face Velocity) MPPS
on Penetration and
Diffusion Interception
PENETRATION

Impaction
Most Penetrating Particle Size MPPS
lower velocity

Decrease of face velocity

Leads to
Increase of MPPS
PARTICLE SIZE - log scale Decrease of Penetration
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 Filter Testing Standard EN 1822

• EN 1822 is the European test standard for HEPA & ULPA

filters
• Certifies a filter's absolute minimum efficiency for all
particles.
• Primarily used to certify air filters for clean room
applications.
• The two-part EN 1822 test identifies the MPPS and
challenges the filter with only these particles, creating an
absolutely worst-case scenario (Schroth and Caesar 2001).

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 Filter Testing Standard EN 1822

• European Standard EN 1822 – 5 parts

– 1822-1 Classification, performance testing, marking
– 1822-2 Aerosol production, measuring equipment,
particle counting statistics
– 1822-3 Testing flat sheet filter media (Standard for
3160)
– 1822-4 Determining leakage of filter element (Scan
method, TSI components can be used)
– 1822-5 Determining the efficiency of filter element
(TSI components can be used)

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 Classification by En 1822 – 1
HEPA & ULPA Filters

High Efficiency
Particle Air Filter

Ultra Low
Penetration Air Filter

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Example for Decrease of Number
Concentration
1.0E+07
1.0E7 Particle/ccm on raw gas side

Concentration on Clean Gas Side [#/ccm]

1.0E+06
1.0E5 Particle/ccm on raw gas side
1.0E+05

1.0E+04

1.0E+03

1.0E+02

1.0E+01

1.0E+00

1.0E-01

1.0E-02

1.0E-03
H10 H11 H12 H13 H14 U15 U16 U17
Filter Type 11
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 Filter Testing Standard EN 1822

The test has two steps:

1. Determine the MPPS of the filter medium
considering the mean face velocity of the medium
when pleated into the filter (EN 1822 part 3)
2. Test the filter element at its MPPS by filter
scanning (EN 1822 part 4) for leak detection and
integral (overall) filter efficiency measurement.
For complex filter geometries where scanning is
not appropriate, filter elements may be tested in a
closed test duct (EN 1822 part 5). In this case,
only the integral efficiency is measured.

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1822-3 Testing flat sheet filter media

• Filter manufacturers expect that media

manufacturers supply a test certificate with
the MPPS.
• Many filter customers expect 100% testing of
product by the filter manufacturer.

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1822-3 Testing flat sheet filter media

• EN 1822 allows two approaches:

1.Monodisperse test aerosol and CPC(s)

2.Polydisperse test aerosol and OPC

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1822-3 Testing flat sheet filter media

With monodisperse test aerosol and CPC(s)

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 50 nm
Atomizer with
0.03% DEHS in Isopropanol
1.6L/min
Neutralizer 3012

3080L with Neutralizer

3077, 5L/min Sheath Air

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 100 nm
Atomizer with
0.03% DEHS in Isopropanol
1.6L/min
Neutralizer 3012

3080L with Neutralizer

3077, 5L/min Sheath Air

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 150 nm
Atomizer with
0.03% DEHS in Isopropanol
1.6L/min
Neutralizer 3012

3080L with Neutralizer

3077, 5L/min Sheath Air

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 Creating Penetration Curve
with Monodisperse Aerosol
Penetration

dn/dlogdp
Particle Diameter
Penetration

logdp

Particle Diameter
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1822-3 Testing flat sheet filter media

With polydisperse test aerosol and OPC

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 Disadvantages of OPCs for
Determination of MMPS
• Comparatively poor size resolution (high
resolution needed)
• No channels below 200 nm
• Some filter media (e.g. electrostatic) can have
MMPS of below 50nm

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Monodisperse test aerosol and CPC(s)
for determination of MPPS

• Biggest advantage:
Excellent coverage of the possible size
range for the MPPS.
• Disadvantage: More time needed to carry
out test

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 Instrument Solution
Model 3160 Fractional Efficiency Filter Tester

• Fully automated test solution, ideally

suited for filter media development (R&D)
– Can be used for a wide variety of media,
including very high efficiency media
– Up to 99.999999% efficient
– Fully automated to save test time
– Components are industry standards
• Classifier with DMA
• CPC detection
– Does NOT provide information about
loading behavior
• For filter media tests (EN1822 part 3),
– TSI model 3160 is fully compliant
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 Model 3160 Flow Schematic
Quick Test System

Salt Atomizers Electrostatic

Classifier
Dilution Filter Filter Pump
Bridge
Drier Diluter

Neutralizer Upstream CPC

Mixing Filter
Clean Air Manifold
Supply Filter
Filter Holder

Oil Atomizers

Rotometer ∆P Filter Pump

Bleed Flow
System Downstream
CPC

Computer Filter Flowmeter Pump

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 Instrument Solution (2)

• Provides key information about

filter media performance,
including:
– Fractional filter efficiency
– Determine most penetrating
particle size (MPPS)
• Full featured graphical and
tabular outputs

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3160 Printouts

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 Applications

• Filter media development and characterization

• Relevant for any company manufacturing high
efficiency filter media
– Many new particle air filters are being developed
– New types of filter media is being developed to
build new filters
– It’s important to know the characteristics of the
media

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 3160 Operation and Setup Tips

• If downstream counts are <100 for some particle

sizes consider lengthening sample time
• Monitor concentration periodically to detect problems
with atomizers
• If penetration goes up again after (larger sizes)
passing MPPS this is an indication of a downstream
leak
• Salt and Oil give the same results (test it if you like).
Use oil to minimize maintenance

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 3160 Calibration
• Instrument uses electrical mobility which is the
standard method for checking submicron particle
sizes and CPC’s which are the concentration
standard
• Flows and pressure drops can be independently
verified
• Field Installation is provided with new instruments
to verify performance
• We provide Field Service and Service Contracts
when requested by customers

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 3160 Features and Benefits
Feature
Automated Fractional Efficiency test
Includes computer and Windows software
for current operating systems
Flows and size controls are automatic or
simple to use
New expanded size range up to 0.8
microns
Fast Test Mode
Automatically adjusts concentration and
test time to get the best results within the
parameters you set
© 2007, TSI Incorporated
Benefit
Simpler and easier than developing this system
from components
Familiar Windows look and feel minimizes operation
and training time
Doesn’t require additional equipment or lots of time
to set up tests
Provides information that previously required a
different tester
Adds ability to use an instrument designed for
fractional efficiency for fast quality control tests
Eliminates the need to monitor the test for
concentrations that are higher or lower than desired
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