Filtration 101

Principles of Filtration

Definition of Filtration
Filtration describes the process of separating the components of a fluid stream. Components may be contaminants or ingredients. They may include particles, gases, tastes, and may even involve separating suspensions from a fluid. Two broad categories of filtration: Particulate filtration Gas phase filtration

Key Terms
Efficiency
The key measure of a filters ability to remove components of a specific size or type from a fluid stream. It is easy to assume that higher efficiency is always better, but the efficiency of a filter should be determined by the purity requirement. Higher efficiency can come at the cost of higher pressure drop (discussed later) and increase the energy operating cost of a filter.

Measuring Efficiency

Filtration engineers use particle counters upstream and downstream of filters to count particles and measure fractional efficiency. Different filtration applications will employ variations of this test, but the basic principles are the same.

Calculating Efficiency
Efficiency is typically reported as a percentage and calculated Efficiency% = 1 - (upstream particlesx /downstream particlesx), where x is the particle size In liquid filtration, efficiency is often reported in Beta Ratio. Betax (read Beta at particle size x) is also based on ratio of upstream to downstream particles and is calculated as shown below:
Beta25 = 10,000/2,000 = 5 Efficiency % = (1-1/Betax) 100 Beta25 = (1 1/5) 100 = 80% Efficiency

Key Terms
Pressure Drop
The resistance to fluid flow imposed by a filter in the process of in the process of separating the components of a fluid stream. Pressure drop relates to the energy required to push a fluid through the filter. Filter life is usually based on

Terminal pressure
The maximum pressure drop the filter is designed to handle. Filter designers seek to reduce pressure drop when designing filter systems.

Measuring Pressure Drop

Pressure upstream minus pressure downstream equals Pressure Drop. Also commonly referred to as Delta P, or P. This value is typically expressed in inches of water, or Pascals.

Pressure Sensors

Pressure Gauge or Magnahelic

Some systems use pressure drop as the indicator for changing filters

Key Terms
Dust Capacity The mass of dust held by a filter at terminal pressure drop. Adsorption The adhesion of thin molecular layers of gases or solutes on a solid surface. Adsorption is the primary filtration mechanism in odor and taste removal. Filter Media A fabric, paper or fibrous bat that is designed to capture and retain particles from the fluid stream. Media is held in place in a filter by the frame and determines the performance of the filter.

Filtration Mechanisms
There are four (4) primary methods that particles are captured and retained by a filter: 1. Straining 2. Inertial Impaction 3. Interception 4. Diffusion

Straining
Straining occurs when the particles to be captured are larger than the pores in the filter media. Straining is the primary filtration mechanism in liquid filtration due to high viscosity and flow forces. In air filtration, straining occurs most often with large particles such as hair, fuzz, etc.
Filter Fiber

Contaminant particles
Filter Fiber

Inertial Impaction
Inertial impaction occurs when larger particles entrained in the air stream separate from the flow due to their inertia and impact on the filter fibers Particles captured by inertial impaction are relatively large and have higher mass (thus the inertia), but still may be much smaller than the pores in the filter media

Particle separates from flow stream due to inertia and impacts filter fiber

Filter Fiber

Interception
Interception occurs when particles in the fluid stream come into close proximity with the filter fibers and are trapped in the stagnant boundary layer fluid flow near the fibers. Interception occurs with smaller particles that dont have adequate inertia to separate from the flow stream.
Small particles intercept the filter fiber as the fluid stream passes around it. Particles usually collect on the sides of these fibers.

Filter Fiber

Diffusion
Diffusion is the dominant mechanism of capture for the smallest particles. In diffusion, particles are influenced by molecular interaction known as Brownian motion. These particles move in random patterns, colliding with gas molecules somewhat independent of the flow stream. When they come into close proximity with a filter fiber they are captured.
Very small particles move by Brownian motion rather than the airstream and contact filter fibers

Filter Fibers

Particle Attachment
Q: What forces holds a particle in place once it has come into
contact with a filter fiber?

A:

The primary force that holds particles to a filters fibers is van der Waals force. This is a molecular level attraction and is independent of fiber or particle composition. In addition to van der Waals force, particles can be captured and held by Coulombic forces such as electret charges in the fibers, or by adhesive applied to the filter fibers.

Filter Efficiency and Life

It is generally agreed that filters

Energy costs will rise over the life of a filter

increase in efficiency over their service life, as shown in this graph. This filter began at 25% efficiency, rose to just over 50% As the filters efficiency increases, so does its pressure drop (resistance to flow). Filter makers typically quote a filters terminal pressure drop in their literature. Filters can lose efficiency if run beyond their rated terminal pressure

Most Penetrating Particle Size (MPPS)

Air filters capture particles through the mechanisms described before. Smaller particles are captured mostly by diffusion, as shown by the magenta line. Larger particles are captured mostly by interception, as shown by the blue line. Summing these lines yields the yellow line which reflects a filters total capability to capture particles of various sizes. This graph is specific to the size of a filter fibers. One very interesting phenomenon is the most penetrating particle size (MPPS). This is the size of particles most difficult for the filter to capture. Many factors influence the MPPS for a filter, but it generally runs in the 0.1 to 0.3 micrometer range. Some test standards specify testing filters at the MPPS to reflect their true capability.

Want to Learn More?

Filtration is a facinating process. To learn more, visit our Web site at www.kcfiltration.com and select Resource Center. There are many papers, presentations and articles on different aspects of Filtration. These resources are there for you!