Industrial Maid - Understanding Media Filtration & Filter Life Comparison

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Understanding Media Filtration & Filter Life Comparison

The following equation illustrates the relationship that exists between air velocity (FPM), area of filter media (SQ FT) and the filter life. Filter Life is directly proportional to the amount of Filter area used in a given system, while the velocity is inversely proportional in the same system, thus by doubling the amount of media (which cuts the velocity in half), you can in effect quadruple the Filter life when maintaining the same flow rate.

FL1 * (FV1/FA1) = FL2 * (FV2/FA2)

Where:
FL1 is the filter life of media 1
FV1 is the Face velocity of air (fpm) thru filter media 1
FA1 is the sq ft of media in filter 1

And:
FL2 is the filter life on media 2
FV2 is the Face velocity of air (fpm) thru filter media 2
FA2 is the sq ft of media in filter 2

Example - Using a Model T 3000 - 3000 cfm standard unit and comparing filter life when adding a single model (T3000X2), assuming bag filter life of 2 months in single system.

2 months * ([3000/8]/132) = FL2 * ([3000/16]/264)

FL2 = 8 months

Note: 3000/8 is 3000CFM divided by 8 square feet of inlet area for velocity of 375FPM
3000/16 is the inlet velocity with 16 sq ft of inlet area - 187.5 FPM

The premise of this equation is that slowing down the air velocity and adding media will make the filter perform more efficiently, last longer and require less energy to achieve the desired results (cleaner air with lower costs).

Choosing the proper amount and correct efficiency of media as well as controlling the air velocity thru that media will make a system perform at low static pressures for long periods of time allowing for:

lower filter costs
lower labor costs for filter changes
lower electrical consumption thru the life of the filters
maximum amount of particulate collection within the filter fibers

Check with your local distributor or an engineer at Industrial Maid to discuss how the use of media filtration may save your company real dollars and make some very good cents! Be sure to check out What is MERV? for more filter selection information.