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Developing standards: Global standards for air cleaning equipment

Article in Filtration + Separation · November 2008

DOI: 10.1016/S0015-1882(08)70369-0

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 Leading the world of filtration

Keeping it clean
Controlling industrial air pollution

Also:
• Developing air filtration
standards
• Cutting the cost of
compressed air
• Achieving cleaner air
with filter media

November 2008 www.filtsep.com

 Editorial 1
Filtration+Separation November 2008

Time to set the standard?

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 The latest industry news
4-10

Leading the world of filtration

16-19
20-23
Improving filter media
Controlling to achieve cleaner air
industrial air
pollution

Contents • Features
Filter media: Improving filter media to achieve
• Editorial 1 cleaner air 20
Filter media plays a primary role in determining the overall cost for
Time to set the standard?
operating an air filtration system. Hollingsworth & Vose discuss how
media performance can be improved.
• Industry news 4 Air filtration: Air filter media – an industry evolves 24
Lon Edelman of Kimberly-Clark looks at the evolution of filter
• Technology news 10 media in the air sector of the industry, with a particular focus on
• Cover story 16 the industry in North America.

Air filtration: Using filtration to control industrial
air pollution
Ken Sutherland reviews the various kinds of air pollution from industrial
and commercial operations, and the means used for its elimination – or
at the very least, its minimisation.
Developing standards: Global standards for air
cleaning equipment 28
Paolo Tronville considers the importance of developing global
standards for air cleaning equipment, and looks at the challenges of
merging existing test methods.

Filtration+Separation November 2008

 Air filter media – an Contents 3

24-26 industry evolves

14

41-42
Replacing air systems

Developing standards
for air cleaning
equipment

32-34
28-31

Cutting the cost of

compressed air

Air filtration and efficiency: Cutting the cost of to provide compressed air to international standards, as well as dealing with
compressed air 32 other critical areas.
While compressed air can be a relatively inexpensive form of
Compressed air systems: Auditing and replacing
factory power, energy costs are forcing managers to review its use.
David Wright explains how effective air-line filtration can reduce
air compressors 41
costs. Ensuring compressed air systems are cost effective and working
efficiently is a must. We take a look at how a European company deals
Air filtration: Choosing the right filter class for with issues relating to compressed air.
HVAC systems 36
Getting the best from a system is not just about choosing media and
correct installation. Thomas Carlson explains the importance of using
and selecting the right filter class for HVAC systems.
• Diary dates 43
• Applications • Product Finder 44
Manufacture and design: Improving compressed
air production 39
Engineers set out to design a cartridge filter that worked efficiently enough • Advertisers’ Index 48

Dates to remember
• 10-13 November • 2-5 December
Water Expo China, Beijing, China Pollutec, Lyon, France

• 27-30 November • 9-11 December

PMEC, Mumbai, India Filtration 2008, Philadelphia, USA

Filtration+Separation November
November 2008
2006
 28 Feature
Filtration+Separation November 2008

Developing standards:
Global standards
for air cleaning
equipment
aolo Tronville considers the importance of developing global
P standards for air cleaning equipment, including the challenges
of merging existing test methods, filling the gaps and
developing new tools.

Introduction • Making the design, production and supply the Participating Members (P-Members)
of products and services more effective and are represented and five active Working
In this era of globalisation, [1] [2] the air Groups (WG) that are made up of experts
reliable;
cleaning equipment business and industry cannot representing their personal point of view:
exclude itself. Standardisation plays an important • Safeguarding consumers and users;
role in this respect because the widespread • WG 1 – Terminology;
adoption of International Standards means that • Sharing technological advances and
disseminating innovation; • WG 3 – General ventilation filters;
suppliers can develop and offer products and
services that meet specifications which have • Providing governments with a technical • WG 4 – HEPA and ULPA filters;
wide international acceptance in their sectors. base for health, safety and environmental • WG 8 – Gas-phase air cleaning devices;
Hence, businesses using International Standards legislation, and conformity assessment.
can compete in many more markets around the • WG 9 – Particulate air filter intake systems
world. At the same time end users appreciate The current ISO/TC142 structure includes for rotary machinery and stationary internal
standards because they ensure desirable the main Technical Committee in which combustion engines.
characteristics of products and services such
as quality, environmental friendliness, safety,
reliability, efficiency and interchangeability.
The ISO (International Organisation for
Standardisation) [3] is the world’s largest
developer and publisher of International
Standards. ISO standards are developed by
technical committees comprising experts from
the industrial, technical and business sectors
which have asked for the standards. These
experts may be joined by representatives of
government agencies, testing laboratories,
consumer associations, non-governmental
organisations and academic circles.
ISO Technical Committee 142 “Cleaning
equipment for air and other gases” has been
reactivated in 2005 after being inactive for
nearly 30 years. Several work items are being
discussed and developed inside ISO/TC142 for
the sake of:
• Making the trade between countries easier ISO standards are developed by technical committees comprising experts from the industrial, technical and
and fairer; business sectors which have asked for the standards.

fs4509_pg28_31.indd 28 17/10/2008 15:39:10


Filtration+Separation November 2008
Current activity inside ISO/TC142
WG 1 is producing a terminology document
which would assist those drafting new
documents to maintain the required
consistency within the standards produced
by TC142, i.e. ensuring terms used in related
standard documents are not assigned different
meanings within these documents. Committee
Draft (CD) 29464 “Cleaning equipment
for air and other gases – Terminology” has
already been prepared. This document will
update and replace ISO 3649:1980 “Cleaning
equipment for air or other gases – Vocabulary”.
Some more work is still needed in order to
include terms related both to gas-phase and to
particulate capture. Usually terminology is not
a contentious item, unless it involves terms
classifying a product in a diverse manner in
different parts of the world (one example is
the term HEPA – High Efficiency Particulate
Air Filter – that needs a precise definition).
The WG 3 has prepared the Final Draft
International Standard (FDIS) 21220
“Particulate air filters for general ventilation
– Determination of the filtration performance”
which could not be approved until now. This
document was the first one to be tackled by the
revitalised TC142 a few years ago. The main
problem in this case was represented by the
presence of well consolidated national standards
in various parts of the world [4] [5] [6]. These
test methods do differ from each other and
contain also very different classification
systems that were developed according to local
markets needs. FDIS 21220 did not contain any
classification system for this reason.
Nonetheless the process of unifying the
different national standards is likely to take
several years due to the obvious resistance
of each country to give up its own national
standard for the sake of having one global
reference laboratory test method.
The most contentious part of FDIS 21220
was its Annex A in which it is described a
normative test method for measuring the
electrostatic enhancement factor of the
media that is used for manufacturing the
filter. In fact certain types of filter media
rely on electrostatic effects to achieve high
efficiencies at low resistance to air flow.
Exposure to some types of challenge, such as
combustion particles or other fine particles,
can inhibit such charges with the result that
filter performance suffers. Therefore several
experts deemed that it is useful to identify this
type of behaviour and to provide quantitative
information about the importance of the
electrostatic removal.
Working with the right data
The development of an international standard
that could be adopted all over the world is still
a challenging task and the technical debate is
likely to continue during the next years.
fs4509_pg28_31.indd 29
Figure 1: Comparison of pressure drop behaviour between two models of compact filters. Dashed lines indicate
filters working in an actual installation with prefilters upstream (386 days); continuous lines indicate filter tested in
laboratory using ASHRAE dust.
Laboratory procedures are not able to provide
reliable data on what is happening to air filters
when they age in an actual installation [7].
Figure 1 shows some impressive difference
between laboratory measurements and natural
ageing effects.
The need for obtaining actual performance
data of the air cleaning devices induced
ISO/TC142 to work on the New Proposal
(NP) 29462 “Field testing of general
ventilation filtration devices and systems
for in-situ removal efficiency by particle size
and resistance to air flow”. The document is
intended to be a test procedure for evaluating
the in-situ performances of general ventilation
filtration devices and systems.
Such valid information is important to users
who would like to know how the filters actually
perform in their system. The availability of such
data is essential to drive the selection of filters
that meet the efficiency needs and provide
better Life Cycle Cost (LCC) calculations
so that the owner can minimise the energy
consumption due to the filter.
The environmental aspect
As with many other technical bodies, ISO/
TC142 is concerned with sustainability issues,
i.e. to help limit the impact of air cleaning
devices on our planet’s resources. For this
sake the Preliminary Work Item (PWI) 12249
“Quality factor – Life cycle cost – Life cycle
assessment – Safety of the materials which
make up the filter product” was activated at
the end of 2007. These issues will probably
require developing more than a single
document to deal with them.
HEPA and ULPA filters do not suffer a strong
dependency from local markets like filters for
general ventilation. Therefore it should be
easier to develop a global classification system
that can suit everyone’s needs. The WG4
Feature 29
is developing a series of standards based on
the EN 1822 series (the European standard)
but taking into account the needs and the
requests of the American and Asian markets.
In this case the obstacle is represented by the
different test methods currently used all over
the world. The following Committee Drafts
were balloted during the past months:
• CD 29463-1 – Performance testing and
classification of high efficiency filters and
filter media for removing particles in air –
Part 1: Classification, performance, testing
and marking;
• CD 29463-2 – Performance testing and
classification of high efficiency filters and
filter media for removing particles in air
– Part 2: Aerosol production, measuring
equipment, particle counting statistics;
• CD 29463-3 – Performance testing and
classification of high efficiency filters and
filter media for removing particles in air
– Part 3: Testing flat sheet filter media;
• CD 29463-4 – Performance testing and
classification of high efficiency filters and
filter media for removing particles in air
– Part 4: Determining leakage of filter
elements (Scan method);
• CD 29463-5 – Performance testing and
classification of high efficiency filters and
filter media for removing particles in air
– Part 5: Determining the efficiency of filter
elements.
These documents were accepted in principle,
even if some modifications will be needed to
improve the consensus within the P-members.
The 29463 series is based on particle counting
methods which actually cover most needs of
different applications. The difference between
this proposal and other national standards lies in
the technique used for the determination of the
overall efficiency. Instead of mass relationships or
17/10/2008 15:39:20
 30 Feature
Figure 2: Loading effect of several different flat sheets of air filter media by means of atmospheric urban aerosol.
total concentrations, this technique is based on
particle counting at the most penetrating particle
size (MPPS), which is for micro-glass filter
mediums usually in the range of 0.12 to 0.25
µm. Some alternative test methods are included
in informative annexes. These are common
practices in several countries and include
the use for photometric detection of aerosol
concentrations and a method for production
testing of filter media.
Gas-phase contaminants
During the last decade the removal of gas-
phase contaminants got fairly popular also for
general ventilation applications. The cleaning
equipment sold for this purpose is still lacking
a method of testing and the WG8 is working
to fill in this major gap. Two new proposals are
currently being elaborated by the experts:
• NP 10121-1 – Test method for assessing the
performance of gas-phase air cleaning media
and devices for general ventilation – Part 1:
Gas-phase air cleaning media;
• NP 10121-2 – Test method for assessing the
performance of gas-phase air cleaning media
and devices for general ventilation – Part 2:
Gas-phase air cleaning devices.
The items covered include granular media,
fibres or pads and full size, production, gas filters
where the media are incorporated. Nuclear
applications are excluded because ISO/TC85
“Nuclear energy” will specifically deal with this
topic. Technologies such as scrubbers, absorbers,
non-sorptive devices or packed columns are
addressed only if they fit into the specified test
apparatus.
Gas turbine power generation
plants
Air cleaning requirements are getting more
important and severe for gas turbine power
generation plants and no specific test method
is yet available for this kind of application.
Common barrier static filters are usually tested
fs4509_pg28_31.indd 30
by means of general ventilation test procedures.
In the case of self-cleaning filter elements this
becomes impossible because when pressure drop
builds up to a predetermined level, the filter
is cleaned by a brief back-pulse of air, either
extracted from the gas turbine compressor, or
derived from an auxiliary source task. Hence,
to test this kind of filters it is essential to use
a different test rig, designed for this specific
application.
Therefore the WG9 is developing the following
documents:
• NP 29461-1 – Air intake filter systems for
rotary machinery – Part 1: Test methods and
classification for static filter elements;
• NP 29461-2 – Air intake filter systems for
rotary machinery – Part 2: Test methods and
classification for cleanable (pulse jet) filter
systems” that will address these needs.
These documents should not be confused with
the CD “Air quality – Standard test method
for filtration characterisation of cleanable
filter media” which is being developed at
present by WG 23 “Test methods on cleanable
filter media” of ISO/TC 146 “Air quality”
Subcommittee 1 “Stationary source emissions”.
This test method is intended for filter media
only and its development started when ISO/
TC142 was still dormant.
Other areas
Some ISO/TC142 Task Groups have been
formed during the past meetings in order
to evaluate the need and the scope of
standardisation activity for products yet not
addressed by the current activity. They are:
• Filters for residential applications;
• UV and biocide devices.
The scope of ISO/TC142 is broad and does
include also industrial applications, which
actually were the main point of interest when
the TC was put in stand-by more than 30 years
ago. Until now only a few experts in this field
Filtration+Separation November 2008
have participated and it was difficult to launch
some new initiatives. However, the task group
“Performance testing of dust collectors” has
been formed and the standard ISO 6584:1981
“Cleaning equipment for air and other gases –
Classification of dust separators” (written many
years ago by SC 1 “Dust collectors, droplet
and separators and purifiers”) is under review.
New experts have already shown interest for
participating in this task.
Among the products that are still missing
a standardised test method we can cite
electrostatic precipitators for general ventilation
applications; some proposals exist [8] but no
standard is currently available. In fact the dust
loading procedures adopted, for instance, by
FDIS 21200 are intended to simulate changes
in filter media performance with use. These
procedures, however, are incompatible (due
to high dust conductivity) and inappropriate
(due to loading by pressure drop) for residential
electrostatic precipitators. As a result these
devices are typically only tested for their initial,
clean efficiency.
Similarly, testing of flat sheets of filter
media for general ventilation applications is
routinely carried out either by media or filters
manufacturers. Nonetheless no standardised
test method exists for this sake. Consequently
manufacturers and testing laboratories supply
data not readily comparable and usable. Figure
2 shows an example of data obtained by aging
several flat sheets of media in parallel small scale
ducts at the same time.
Beyond the laboratory
The scope of ISO/TC142 activity goes beyond
the preparation of laboratory test methods
for measuring the performance of filter media
and elements. In fact it is not possible to
standardise real world operation. The changes
of efficiency and pressure drop versus time
can be surprisingly different from the data
measured in the lab by aging artificially the
air cleaning equipment. The mass of dust
17/10/2008 15:39:21 online_BG

Filtration+Separation November 2008
captured varies tremendously among different
applications.
However, data obtained from laboratory
testing is still very useful to compare different
products, even if some deviations among
laboratories should be taken into account.
Like in the case of automobiles, bench testing
of air cleaning equipment should be integrated
by “road testing” and “virtual prototyping”.
Future challenges
We list here below some of the needs that
would probably require attention from the
standardisation activity of ISO/TC142. Time
and money are tight so they will be developed
if and when more work forces will join the
Technical Committee.
Since standards play an important part to the
users and specifiers of filters their contribution
would be really valuable and welcome.
Calculation of Life Cycle Cost (LCC)
The calculation of LCC is difficult for several
reasons. First of all it is difficult to include
in this calculation the value of “cleaner
air”. Nevertheless a minimum efficiency
requirement should be set before comparing
competing filters. Otherwise the calculation
of the minimum cost would indicate simply to
remove the air filter from the installation.
Another crucial point is represented by the
choice of the final pressure drop to be used for the
calculation. Such pressure should actually be the
result of the minimisation of the LCC analysis.
The actual trend of the air flow resistance versus
the operation time influences the results too.
Energy rating of air filters and air
cleaning devices
The energy labelling of air filters would allow
choosing the products that require less energy
consumption (like in the case of bulbs and other
appliances). In the case of air filters it is not
obvious how to do it because filters belonging to
different families (prefilters, fine filters, HEPA
filters) have different efficiency targets.
Metering the energy consumption of some
actual installation would probably help in
getting valuable information but, again, no
standardised procedure is yet available for this
sake. On the other hand to use laboratory
data would not obtain reliable results and
indications.
Online
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fs4509_pg28_31.indd
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Environmental impact – incineration
– recycling
Air filters are bulky and fibrous filter media
is not recyclable, hence to dispose of these
products easily is not simple. The possibility
to incinerate air filters at the end of their
service life it is considered in many parts of
the world as a good solution. Some pieces
of most filter elements could be probably
recycled but this should be done only if
the overall environmental impact would be
minimised. On the other side, it may be too
hard to match fire reaction requirements
with the chance to incinerate completely the
filter. Therefore a method to make Life Cycle
Assessment (LCA) analysis of air cleaning
equipment could help the manufacturers
and the market to move towards more
environmentally friendly products and
solutions.
Bypass – re-entrainment of particles
The degradation of filtration performance due
to bypass should be assessed in order quantify
the negative impact on filter efficiency. Such
problem is relevant for higher efficiency
filters that sometimes are used a security tool
and that may suffer large degradations in
efficiency.
The re-entrainment of particles is due to
agglomerated particles breaking off by the
air stream and is mostly related to vibrations
and changes in air velocity passing through
the filters. If not detected immediately this
phenomenon may lead to the contamination
of the whole system causing also an increase
of maintenance costs. At the moment no test
method is available to quantify this kind of
behaviour, mostly occurring in low efficiency
filters.
Efficacy in removing nanoparticles
Nanoparticles are particles having one or more
dimensions of the order of 100 nm or less. The
reason why there is a lot of interest around
them is due to the fact that at the nano-
scale they show different properties of the
bulk material they are made of. As of today,
there are some concerns about man-made
nanoparticles escaping into the environment.
In fact there are some safety issues that are
currently not fully understood.
Fibrous air filters can be very effective in
removing nanoparticles from air streams but
Coming soon.......
to
www.filtsep.com
Feature 31
as a matter of fact there is no standardised test
method available for measuring the efficiency
of filters in removing particles below the 100
nm size. Therefore it is difficult to draft any
regulation for handling nanoparticles safely.
Conclusion
A lot of standardisation work in the field of air
cleaning equipment needs to be carried out as
soon as possible. The participation of experts
from countries all over the world is welcome
to make possible to accomplish at least some
of the most important goals highlighted above.
End users and facility managers are currently
under represented in ISO/TC142 and would be
welcome to join the committee. •
Contact:
Paolo Tronville, Ph.D.
Politecnico di Torino, Turin, Italy
E-mail: paolo.tronville@polito.it
Tel: +39 011 5644477
References
1. Hocking B., McGuire S., “Trade Politics
– Domestic, International and Regional
Perspectives”, Routledge, 1999, ISBN
0415193575.
2. IBM Institute for Business Value, “The
Enterprise of the Future: The Global CEO
Study 2008”, 2008, http://www-935.ibm.
com/services/us/gbs/bus/html/ceostudy2008.
html.
3. http://www.iso.org, Geneva, 2008.
4. EN 779:2002, “Particulate filters for general
ventilation: Determination of the filtration
performance”, 2002.
5. ANSI/ASHRAE 52.2-2007, “Method of
Testing General Ventilation Air Cleaning
Devices for Removal Efficiency by Particle
Size”, 2007.
6. JIS B 9908:2001, “Test method of air
filter units for ventilation and electric air
cleaners for ventilation”, 2007.
7. Hanley J. T., Owen M. K., Final Report
on ASHRAE RP-1190 “Develop a New
Loading Dust and Dust Loading Procedures
for the ASHRAE Filter Test Standards 52.1
and 52.2”, 2003.
8. Hanley J. T., Ensor D. S., Franke D. L.,
“Environmental Technology Verification
– Draft Test Protocol for Electronic Air
Cleaners”, 2002.
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