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Particle filtration training module
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N JRA2/99 P/Filtration Issue 1
P
A

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R Can you describe how a simple particle filter
T works
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N JRA2/99 P/Filtration Issue 1
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A Streamlines
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L Filter fibre
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N JRA2/99 P/Filtration Issue 1
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A There are four common mechanisms of filtration
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C Interception capture
L Mechanical
Inertial impaction
E filtration
Diffusion capture
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Electrostatic attraction Electrostatic
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filtration
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Mechanical filtration
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N JRA2/99 P/Filtration Issue 1
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A The filter web principle
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N JRA2/99 P/Filtration Issue 1
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A Interception capture
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L Filter fibre
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N JRA2/99 P/Filtration Issue 1
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A Inertial impaction
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L Filter fibre
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A Diffusion capture
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L Filter fibre
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N JRA2/99 P/Filtration Issue 1
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A Particles that stay within the streamlines
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L Filter fibre
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N JRA2/99 P/Filtration Issue 1
P The typical relationship between particle size,
A filter penetration and capture methods
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T Most
Penetrating
I Particle
Size
C 10
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% Penetration

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F Diffusion Diffusion Inertial impaction
and and
I 0.1 interception interception
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R 0.01
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0.001
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O 0.01 0.1 1 10
N Particle diameter (microns)
JRA2/99 P/Filtration Issue 1
P The effect of filter depth
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Electrostatic filtration
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N JRA2/99 P/Filtration Issue 1
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A Electrostatic attraction
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L Filter fibre
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N JRA2/99 P/Filtration Issue 1
P Electrostatic
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N JRA2/99 P/Filtration Issue 1
P Electrostatic
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N JRA2/99 P/Filtration Issue 1
P What makes a particle become attracted to an
A electrostatic filter?
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T Solid particle
I Strong charge
C Low charge mobility
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E Water droplet
Good conductor
F Strong charge
I High charge mobility
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A Poor conductor
T Weak charge
I Poor charge mobility
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P The attraction process
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N JRA2/99 P/Filtration Issue 1
P Electrostatic charges on filter fibres
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T Corona charge Tribo charge
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N JRA2/99 P/Filtration Issue 1
P The electrostatic/mechanical hybrid filter
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N JRA2/99 P/Filtration Issue 1
P Filtering out nuisance levels of gases and
A vapours
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I For gas filtration charcoal is commonly used
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L Charcoal which is made of carbon is essential
E for filtering out most gases
Nuisance gas and vapour filters are usually only
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I suitable for concentrations of gases below OEL
L Exception is Ozone gas which can sometimes be
T filtered out up to 10xOEL
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N JRA2/99 P/Filtration Issue 1
P The particle/nuisance gas and vapour filter
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N JRA2/99 P/Filtration Issue 1
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A The three dimensional filter
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N JRA2/99 P/Filtration Issue 1
P What do our customers do when their
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disposable respirators become blocked

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N JRA2/99 P/Filtration Issue 1
P Summary: Mechanical filtration
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T Mechanical filtration utilises: Interception capture
I Inertial impaction
C Diffusion capture
L Air flows around obstacles causing streamlines to
E distort, exposing particles to touch filter fibres
Relies on particles coming into contact with sticky
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Most penetrating particle size is between 0.1 and 1
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For mechanical filters, increased filter depth is solution
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T Smaller particles are easily captured by diffusion
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P Summary: Electrostatic filtration
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T Electrostatic filtration utilises: Electrostatic attraction
I Relies on electrostatically charged particles being
C attracted to electrostatically charged filter fibres
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E Electrostatic filters need fewer fibres compared to
mechanical filters but are usually inefficient against oils
F Solid particles carry strong charges
I Water based liquid particles carry strong charges
L Oil based liquids carry a very weak charge
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P Summary: Nuisance gas and vapour filtration
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T Nuisance level gas and vapour filtration utilises:
I Additional charcoal coated fibre layers
C Many gases and vapours can be filtered out using
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charcoal coated fibres
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Some gases are not well attracted to charcoal and need
F to react with special chemicals added to the charcoal
I Disposable respirators can provide low levels of
L gas filtration through the use of added charcoal layers
T (below OEL except Ozone gas which can be 10xOEL)
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P Summary: The three dimensional filter
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T Filters used in respirators are multi-layered
I Mechanical or electrostatic filters will become blocked
C over time
L Never clean a blocked filter, it will release particles
E back into the air, damage the filter fibres or remove the
electrostatic charge reducing the filter efficiency
F Electrostatic filters have a shelf life of a number of
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years (typically 3-5 years)
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E This ends the Particle filtration
training module
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N JRA2/99 P/Filtration Issue 1