filter testing

Filter Testing

An overview on Topas equipment

© 2010 Topas GmbH

 filter testing

overview

structure characterization of filter media

 Pore Size Meter PSM 165

filter media testing

 Manual Filter Media Test Rig MBP 116
 Automated Filter Media Test Rig AFC 13x (VDI 3926-II, ISO 11057)

filter element testing

 Standard Air Filters ALF 114 (EN 779, ASHRAE 52.2)
 HEPA/ULPA Filter Scanner AFS 15x (EN 1822)

 Cabin Air Filters PAF 11x (DIN 71460, ISO 11155)

 Motor Air Intake Filters ABP 115 (ISO 5011)
 Vacuum Cleaners VCT 121 (EN 60312)
 Oil Mist Separators SPT 140 (ISO 20564)

© 2010 Topas GmbH

 filter testing

filter structure characterization  Pore Size Meter PSM 165

demand on filter material structure information

strong correlation between material structure properties and filter performance parameters
for quality assurance and product development
optimization of product performance starts with optimization of material structure

Filtration:
filter paper
nonwoven materials
woven materials (metal, polymer)
membranes
melt blown films
sintered materials (metal, polymer)

Hygiene: nonwoven absorber materials for sanitary products

Textile: multifilament woven for medical clothing

© 2010 Topas GmbH

 filter testing

filter structure characterization  Pore Size Meter PSM 165

ASTM E1294-89, ASTM F316-03

reference measurement at the dry sample
Measurement at the wet sample:
stepwise displacement of the test liquid from the pores

Cumulative flow distribution Density pressure distribution Density pore size distribution

 Wetflow n1 Wetflow n  ΔQ ΔQ

Q [/]     q [1/mbar]  q [1/µm] 
 Dryflow n1 Dryflow n  Δp Δd

Test liquid has been displaced

completely from the sample

Wet flow starting at

the bubble point

© 2010 Topas GmbH

 filter testing

filter structure characterization  Pore Size Meter PSM 165

transformation of a density pressure distribution to a density pore size distribution

ΔQ ΔQ
q [1/mbar]  q [1/µm] 
Δp Δd
discrete pressure intervals discrete pore size intervals

capillary model:

ideal pore geometries real pore geometries

capillary force: FC  Π  d  σ  cosΘ

p2
d


p1
Π 2
pressure force: FP   d  Δp
4 no straight pores
no circular pores
σ  cos σ
d  4 dC no constant cross section
p p no smooth pore walls

d – pore diameter (circular pores) d – pore diameter (circle equivalent)

s – surface tension of the test liquid  at the minimal vertical cross section in flow direction
 – contact angle  – 90° (complete wetting test liquid)
p – differential pressure C – empirical capillary constant (ASTM F316)
© 2010 Topas GmbH
 filter testing

filter structure characterization  Pore Size Meter PSM 165

bubble point:
largest pore diameter
start of the wet flow, sample becomes gas permeable
single value (different results at different samples)

pore size distribution

homogeneous or discrete pore size classes from 0,15 – 250µm
integral distribution parameters
median pore size: 50% smaller/larger
modal pore size: most frequent pore size
standard deviation: homogeneity

permeability
specific gas flow [l/(sm²)] @ p
Darcy – permeability [m²]

© 2010 Topas GmbH

 filter testing

filter structure characterization  Pore Size Meter PSM 165

measuring range and accuracy

3000 mbar 350 mbar 20 mbar

100

10
[%]
Messfehler [%]

ASTM F 316:
Repeatability

0,1

Membrane Filter Paper Nonwoven

0,01
0,1 1 10 100 1000
Pore Size [µm]
Porengröße [µm]

differential pressure sensors with very high accuracy ( 0,04% FS)

at large differential pressure measuring range large measuring error, especially at large pores
depending on application customized adjustment of differential pressure range

© 2010 Topas GmbH

 filter testing

filter structure characterization  Pore Size Meter PSM 165

product development and quality assurance of industrial filter paper

material structure design:  different average pore sizes over a wide range
 narrow pore size distributions, no overlapping
these 6 different materials are suitable for realisation of various specific filtration applications

Filter Paper

Material Modal Pore Size

1 1,87
5 2,68
2 3,49
6 4,19
4 4,86
3 7,16

© 2010 Topas GmbH

 filter testing

filter structure characterization  Pore Size Meter PSM 165

porosimetric measurements for quality assurance at nonwoven sheet materials
accuracy and repeatability of measurements: <3%
homogeneity of the sample material: strong fluctuations of local structure properties

28
1,95%
26
2,62%
Nonwoven
24

22
600x600mm²
20
Median Pore Size [µm]

0,93%
18

16

14 sample 1 sample 2
12

10 x50=17,2µm x50=25,1µm
sample 3 sample 4 sample 5
8

4 sample 6 sample 7 sample 8

2

0 Nonwoven PET-material
sample sample sample sample sample sample sample sample
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
Sample size:  40mm
© 2010 Topas GmbH
 filter testing

filter structure characterization  Pore Size Meter PSM 165

nonwoven filter material

homogeneity: strong local fluctuations

© 2010 Topas GmbH

 filter testing

filter structure characterization  Pore Size Meter PSM 165

Pore Size Measurements Filter Efficiency Testing

f(x) = …???…

material structure properties product performance parameters

fast, simple, reliable method

complex experimental instrumentation
indirect results on product performance
(complex filtration mechanisms) time-consuming

comparative measurements direct results on product performance

useful tool for product development essential for final quality assurance

preliminary quality assurance

Combination of both methods results in

reliable and efficient quality assurance and product development
© 2010 Topas GmbH
 filter testing

filter testing

Test Filter
Upstream Downstream
Aerosol Particle Particle
Generation Measurement Measurement

Test
Absolute
Filter
Filter
gravimetrical / fractional
efficiency
Test Air p
Conditioning Measurement differential pressure

dust holding capacity

Flow Rate
Blower Measurement

© 2010 Topas GmbH

 filter testing

filter media testing  Manual Filter Media Test Rig MBP 116

design and development of filter media

quality control at filter media production
manually adjusted air flow rate
easy to use, simple design, small dimensions, low cost

Applications Determination of differential pressure, gravimetric filtration efficiency and dust

loading capacity of various types of filter media
Suitable Filter Media planar filter media
diameter of filter under test 125mm, thickness of 0 … 1,5 mm
Test Duct Dimensions diameter 112 mm, length (upstream) 1000 mm
Flow Rate Generation compressed air supply max. 46 Nm³/h @ 5,5 bar
two vacuum ejector pumps
0,5 … 15,5 m³/h, steps =0,5 m³/h, accuracy  5%
*)

filter face velocity 0,015 … 0,43 m/s

filter surface load 50 … 1570 m³/(m²h)
Dust Disperser SAG 410/U for smallest dust output rates and critical test dusts
feeding range > 70 mg/h (> 4,5 mg/m³)
applicable for ISO 12103-2 A2, ISO 12103-2 A4, VDI 3926 Pural NF, soot
Power Supply 85-264VAC 50/60Hz , 85-370VDC
Dimensions 750 x 500 x 1750 mm (L x W x H)
Space Requirement 1000 x 1000 x 2500 mm (L x W x H)
Weight 65 kg
Sampling Ports Ports available for differential pressure and fractional efficiency measurements

© 2010 Topas GmbH

 filter testing

filter media testing  Manual Filter Media Test Rig MBP 116

1 1 inlet filter

2 aerosol 2

upstream 3
measurement

5 p test filter 4

downstream 6
measurement

absolute 7
filter

4
8 backup filter 8
9

throttle 9

pump

© 2010 Topas GmbH

 filter testing

filter media testing  Manual Filter Media Test Rig MBP 116

gravimetric loading: HEPA filter paper fractional efficiency: standard filter paper

HEPA - Filter Paper

12
Differential Pressure [mbar]

10

4
Filter loading

0
0 50 100 150 200 250 300 350 400
Gravimetric Loading [mg]

test dust: ISO 12103-A2 (AC fine)

air flow rate: 3m³/h
particle measurements: LAP321 (Topas)
switching unit: SYS520 (Topas)
dilution system: DIL55x (Topas)
© 2010 Topas GmbH
 filter testing

VDI 3926 / ISO 11057

filter media testing  Automated Filter Media Test Rig AFC 13x

design and development of filter media

quality control at filter media production
fully automated test procedure according to VDI 3926 / ISO 11057
“Air quality - Test method for filtration characterisation of cleanable filter media”

differential pressure characteristics

7
dust holding capacity
arrestance 3 4

fractional filter efficiency 1

2

1) dust generator SAG 410/P 6

2) atomizer aerosol generator ATM 220
3) test filter
5
4) absolute filter
5) aerosol spectrometer LAP 321
6) switching unit SYS 520
7) pressure tank

© 2010 Topas GmbH

 filter testing

VDI 3926 / ISO 11057

filter media testing  Automated Filter Media Test Rig AFC 13x

dust generator SAG410/P especially suitable for testing with Pural NF or soot
adjustable mass flow rate
reliable long-term non-stop operation Air flow 2...64 m³/h ±2%
Face velocities 0.05...1 m/s
(VDI 3926: total test duration 14h)
Diff. pressure 0...1250 Pa ±2%
Cross section 176 cm² (150 mm)
Sensors Temperature, relative humidity
Tank pressure 0.2...0.6 MPa
Dust Generator SAG410/U, Pural NF Pulse time 50..150 ms
6
Aerosol spectrometer LAP 321, Topas
5 0.3...20 µm
5
(<10 Particles/cm³)
Mass Flow Rate [g/h]

4
cV = 2,1%
Test aerosols Dusts:
3
ISO 12103-A2 (Fine),
2 ISO 12103-A4 (Coarse),
soot, calcite, Pural, ...
1
DEHS, DOP; paraffin, PAO
0
0 100 200 300 400 500 Salt aerosols
Time [min]
PSL aerosols
Power supply 3  230 V AC, 16 A
Size 2800  800  1500 mm
Weight approx. 120 kg

© 2010 Topas GmbH

 filter testing

VDI 3926 / ISO 11057

filter media testing  Automated Filter Media Test Rig AFC 13x

Control and Data Acquisition Software PAFWin

hardware
visualization

© 2010 Topas GmbH

 filter testing

VDI 3926 / ISO 11057

filter media testing  Automated Filter Media Test Rig AFC 13x

Control and Data Acquisition Software PAFWin

differential pressure test

cleanable filter
cyclic pressure pulses flow rate [m³/h]

pressure [Pa]
time [hh:mm:ss]

© 2010 Topas GmbH

 filter testing

VDI 3926 / ISO 11057

filter media testing  Automated Filter Media Test Rig AFC 13x

Control and Data Acquisition Software PAFWin

fractional efficiency
aerosol spectrometer LAP 321
switching unit SYS 520
efficiency [%]

particle size [µm]

© 2010 Topas GmbH

 filter testing

filter element testing

© 2010 Topas GmbH

 filter testing

filter element testing

general requirements on test conditions:

© 2010 Topas GmbH

 filter testing

EN 779, ASHRAE 52.2

filter element testing  Standard Air Filters ALF 114

testing of particulate air filters

for general ventilation
according to EN 779, Ashrae 52.2
universal filter holder
pocket and cassette filters
filter cartridges, flat filters
highly automated

Air flow rate 200 … 7000 m³/h (at standard conditions)

Differential pressure max. 2000 Pa
Test aerosol DEHS, other on request
Loading dust ASHRAE test dust, AC fine, AC coarse
Discharge aerosol DEHS, KCl
Filter samples Pocket and cassette filters with max. dimensions 610 x 610 mm
Filter cartridges, max. 400 mm diameter, length of max. 1.5 m
Flat media max. surface 1 m²
Compressed air supply 6 bar
Power supply 400 V AC, 80 A

© 2010 Topas GmbH

 filter testing

EN 779, ASHRAE 52.2

filter element testing  Standard Air Filters ALF 114

general setup: room requirements

© 2010 Topas GmbH

 filter testing

EN 779, ASHRAE 52.2

filter element testing  Standard Air Filters ALF 114

general setup

1 2 3 4 5 6

.
V

ATM
EAN

SAG
1 – aerosol mixing
2 – upstream measurement
3 – filter under test
4 – backup filter, downstream measurement
5 – protective filter
6 – flow rate generation + measurement
© 2010 Topas GmbH
 filter testing

EN 779, ASHRAE 52.2

filter element testing  Standard Air Filters ALF 114

different types of test filters applicable, easy and quick filter mounting
rotatable duct sections, universal filter holding system

1 – filter under test

3 2 – backup filter
2
3 – protective filter
1

© 2010 Topas GmbH

 filter testing

EN 779, ASHRAE 52.2

filter element testing  Standard Air Filters ALF 114

aerosol generation

atomizer aerosol generator ATM 230 ashrae dust generator SAG 440
electrostatic neutralizer EAN 581

© 2010 Topas GmbH

 filter testing

EN 779, ASHRAE 52.2

filter element testing  Standard Air Filters ALF 114

Control and Data Acquisition Software PAFWin

hardware
visualization

© 2010 Topas GmbH

 filter testing

EN 779, ASHRAE 52.2

filter element testing  Standard Air Filters ALF 114

Control and Data Acquisition Software PAFWin

differential pressure

vs.

air flow rate /

dust fed

© 2010 Topas GmbH

 filter testing

EN 779, ASHRAE 52.2

filter element testing  Standard Air Filters ALF 114

Control and Data Acquisition Software PAFWin

fractional efficiency
at different dust
loading

2 particle counters
0,2 … 10 µm

© 2010 Topas GmbH

 filter testing

EN 779, ASHRAE 52.2

filter element testing  Standard Air Filters ALF 114

test results in comparison to an independent and accredited test institute

VTT technical research centre of Finland
very good correlation

EN 779 Initial differential pressure Fractional efficiency at 0,4 µm

Filter class VTT Topas ALF 114 VTT Topas ALF 114

F6 98 Pa 102 Pa 21,3 % 23,6 %

F7 114 Pa 114 Pa 53,9 % 48,5 %
F8 126 Pa 133 Pa 67,5 % 70,3 %
F9 156 Pa 157 Pa 85,7 % 81,6 %

© 2010 Topas GmbH

 filter testing

EN 1822

filter element testing  HEPA/ULPA Filter Scanner AFS 15x

EN 1822-4: filter scanning, leak detection, local filter efficiency

EN 1822-5: integral filter efficiency

classification of HEPA/ULPA filters
retraceable documented
100% filter inspection

Filter class efficiency (integral) efficiency (local)

H10 > 85 % ---
H11 > 95 % ---
H12 > 99,5 % ---
H13 > 99,95 % > 99,75 %
H14 > 99,995 % > 99,975 %
U15 > 99,9995 % > 99,9975 %
U16 > 99,99995 % > 99,99975 %
U17 > 99,999995 % > 99,9999 %

© 2010 Topas GmbH

 filter testing

EN 1822

filter element testing  HEPA/ULPA Filter Scanner AFS 15x

universal filter holder AFS 150 Filter dimensions 305/1830 x 305/1220 x 50/300
mm
most flexible model
Air flow rate 180 ... 5000 m³/h ±1%
different customized filter dimensions
Filter face velocity 0.45m/s
short and precise adjustment Differential 0...1000 Pa ±0.5%
Pressure
cabinet filter holder AFS 151 Aerosol Generator Wide concentration range
adapter plates for each filter dimension atomizer aerosol generator
ATM241
limited number of filter dimensions
Scanning Traverse 3-axis computer controlled,
precision stepper motors,
manual scanner AFS 152 positioning precision and
reproducibility better than
add-on equipment to existing leakage test benches
0.05mm, maximum velocity of
retraceable documented 100% filter inspection 25cm/s,
1 … 10cm/s as per EN1822-4
Sampling Probe 30  30mm
Compressed air Max. 6 bar
supply
Air Quality Room air (20 °C, <75 %rH)
Aerosol material DEHS, DOP, PAO
(Emery 3004), PSL, NaCl, KCl
Power supply 3x400 VAC, 100 A, 50/60 Hz
Required Space 10 x 3 x 2.5 m
Required footprint 10 x 3 m

© 2010 Topas GmbH

 filter testing

EN 1822

filter element testing  HEPA/ULPA Filter Scanner AFS 15x

fully automated filter scanning manual filter scanning

AFS 150, AFS 151 AFS 152

© 2010 Topas GmbH

 filter testing

EN 1822

filter element testing  HEPA/ULPA Filter Scanner AFS 15x

Control and Data Acquisition Software AFSWin

hardware
visualization

© 2010 Topas GmbH

 filter testing

EN 1822

filter element testing  HEPA/ULPA Filter Scanner AFS 15x

Control and Data Acquisition Software AFSWin

differential
pressure test

© 2010 Topas GmbH

 filter testing

EN 1822

filter element testing  HEPA/ULPA Filter Scanner AFS 15x

Control and Data Acquisition Software AFSWin

Frame - Scan Filter - Scan

EN 1822-4 scan test

frame scan + filter scan  detection of potential leaks
mini scan  x, y position of minimum local efficiency
static measurement at potential leak position  minimum local efficiency
averaging counts during the whole scan  integral efficiency
© 2010 Topas GmbH
 filter testing

EN 1822

filter element testing  HEPA/ULPA Filter Scanner AFS 15x

Control and Data Acquisition Software AFSWin

static measurement at several

filter positions chosen by the
operator

EN 1822-5 static test

multiple static measurements, free choise of x, y coordinates
no 100% filter validation, fast control test
 local efficiency at these positions
 integral efficiency from averaging
© 2010 Topas GmbH
 filter testing

EN 1822

filter element testing  HEPA/ULPA Filter Scanner AFS 15x

test report for retraceable documentation

© 2010 Topas GmbH

 filter testing

Reference Customers  more than 85 test rigs installed worldwide

Automated Filter Media Test Rig AFC 13x (VDI 3926-II, ISO 11057)
MAHLE (Germany)  STFI (Germany)  Norafin (Germany)  Bernard Dumas (France) 
Kolon (Korea)  University of Stuttgart (Germany)  BG Filters (China)

Motor Air Intake Filters ABP 115 (ISO 5011)

Mann+Hummel (Germany, USA, India, Spain)  Freudenberg (Germany) 
Mahle (China)  Donaldson (USA, Belgium)  Hengst (Germany)  Misfat (Tunesia)

Cabin Air Filters PAF 11x (DIN 71460, ISO 11155)

Mann+Hummel (Germany)  Freudenberg (Germany)  Japan Vilene (Japan)  3M (Korea) 
Korea Vilene (Korea)  Kitech (Korea)  Filtrauto (France)  Sung Jin (Korea) 
Clean & Science (Korea)  Shandong Filter (China)

Standard Air Filters ALF 114 (EN 779, ASHRAE 52.2)

Freudenberg (Germany)  Sofrance (France)  Funcate (Brazil)  Northern (UAE) 
Mikropor (Turkey)  Unifil (Switzerland)  Hanjin (Korea)  Deltrian (Belgium) 
Filtrair (Netherlands)

HEPA/ULPA Filter Scanner AFS 15x (EN 1822)

Freudenberg (Germany)  HS-Luftfilterbau (Germany)  Mikropor (Turkey) 
Donaldson (Thailand)  Jack Filter (Austria) Jasun Filters (UK)
© 2010 Topas GmbH