Session: 09-16-02: Energy-Related Multidisciplinary II

Paper Number: 166120

Design and Controls Development for Application Testing of Electrospun Nanofiber Filter Media 

High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filters are widely used in industrial and scientific applications to block particulate contaminants and maintain air quality in controlled environments. The performance of HEPA filters is characterized by their filtration efficiency and pressure drop across the media. The U.S. Department of Energy standard requires that HEPA filters capture at least 99.97% of airborne particles with a diameter of 0.3 µm while maintaining a maximum airflow resistance of 1.0 inches water gauge (in.wg) at a volumetric flow rate of 1,000 cfm. Traditional HEPA filters are composed of glass or polymeric fibers, but emerging research in nanotechnology has demonstrated that electrospun nanofiber media can provide promising performance characteristics for air filtration. Electrospinning allows the fabrication of fibers with smaller diameters, leading to increased surface area, high porosity, and improved pore connectivity, all of which contribute to enhanced filtration properties.

To evaluate the properties of an electrospun media filter, an existing test stand designed for traditional HEPA filter media has been modified to accommodate the unique structural properties of the new material. The experimental setup consists of a controlled airflow system, a particle generation and dispersion unit, and an integrated measurement controls program for real-time filtration analysis. Particle concentration and size distribution measurements are obtained using a Scanning Mobility Particle Sizer (SMPS) and a Laser Aerosol Spectrometer (LAS), which provide high-resolution data on aerosol penetration through the filter media.  This data will be compared and adjusted to the measured mass collection of the filter that is obtained by weighing the media before and after testing. The particle loading model used for conventional HEPA filters has been adapted to incorporate mechanisms observed in electrospun media. These modifications are essential for accurately characterizing pressure drop behavior and filter performance under various operating conditions.

An integral component of this study is the development of an advanced control system for real-time monitoring and data acquisition. A closed-loop control algorithm has been implemented to regulate airflow velocity and pressure differentials, ensuring repeatable and precise test conditions. Additionally, due to the fragile nature of electrospun filters, mechanical reinforcement strategies have been explored to prevent fiber displacement or damage during operation.

This study provides a comprehensive framework for filtration efficiency testing and evaluating the properties of electrospun nanofiber filter media. The modifications to the test stand, the refined particle loading model, and the control system contribute to a more accurate assessment of electrospun filters' viability for industrial applications.

Presenting Author: Jeremy Adriano Institute for Clean Energy Technology

Presenting Author Biography: Jeremy Adriano is a graduate mechanical engineering student at Mississippi State University. He started working at the Institute for Clean Energy Technology (ICET) as an undergraduate student research assistant in 2023. After finishing his bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering, he continued his research as a graduate research assistant for ICET. His main research interest is energy with a focus on air filtration. After finishing his masters degree, he plans to pursue his career in the energy industry, with a goal of gaining experience in the field so that he can help advance the energy sector in his home country, the Philippines.

Authors:

Jeremy Adriano Institute for Clean Energy Technology
Alta Knizley Institute for Clean Energy Technology
Gentry Berry U.S. Army Engineer Research & Development Center: Geotechnical & Structures Laboratory