Particle Filtration Theory

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 Particle Filtration Theory

Filtration Mechanisms

Electrostatic Filters

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 Filtration Theory

A filter is not a screen or woven cloth

Particles are not collected as in a sieve

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 Filtration Theory

A filter is an open structure made with

synthetic fibers that are randomly oriented.
Particles are captured by fibers found
inside the filter media.

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 Filter Element
A filter can be seen as multiple layers of
materials, each with a limited filtration capability.

If a filter element has only a 5% filtering efficiency,

then 100 layers of this element will result in an
overall 99.4% efficiency.

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 Filtration Mechanisms

Capture by particle sedimentation

>2m

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 Filtration Mechanisms

Capture by particle impaction

0.5-2m

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 Filtration Mechanisms

Capture by particle interception

0.05-0.5m

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 Filtration Mechanisms

Capture by particle diffusion

<0.1m

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 Filtration Mechanisms
Capture Mechanisms

Impaction

Interception
The 3 Stooges
Diffusion
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 Filtration Mechanisms

Capture through electrostatic charges

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 Electrostatic Filter Media

-
+
-
+ - +
+ -

3M filters have both positive and negative charges

that are permanently placed on the fibers.

These charges can attract uncharged or positively or

negatively charged particles.

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How do Electrostatic Filter Media Work?

Negative
Charges
Positive
Charges
Filter
Fiber
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 Electrostatic Filters

100 Charged Filters

Filter Efficiency

50

1 Uncharged Filters

0.1

0.01 0.1 1 10
Particle Diameter - m

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 Protection versus comfort

wit
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Protectio

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es

comfort

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 Summary
1 Filters dont work like a sieve

2 Particle capture involves:

sedimentation, impaction, interception,
diffusion and electrostatic mechanisms.

3 Electrostatic filters show higher filtration

efficiency over non-electrostatic media

4 Electrostatic filters show lower breathing

resistance and better comfort.
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