Ultra-low particulate air
Ultra-low particulate air (ULPA) is a type of air filter. A ULPA filter can remove from the air at least 99.999% of dust, pollen, mold, bacteria and any airborne particles with a minimum particle penetration size of 120 nanometres (0.12 μm, ultrafine particles). A ULPA filter can remove—to a large extent but not 100%—oil smoke, tobacco smoke, rosin smoke, smog, and insecticide dust.[1] It can also remove carbon black to some extent. Some fan filter units incorporate ULPA filters. The EN 1822 and ISO 29463 standards may be used to rate ULPA filters.[2][3]
Materials used in ULPA filters
[edit]Both high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) and ULPA filter media have similar designs.
The filter media is like an enormous web of randomly arranged fibres. When air passes through this dense web, the solid particles get attached to the fibres and thus eliminated from the air.
Porosity is one of the key considerations of these fibres. Lower porosity, while decreasing the speed of filtration, increases the quality of filtered air. This parameter is measured in pores per linear inch.
Method of functioning
[edit]Physically blocking particles with a filter, called sieving, cannot remove smaller-sized particles. The cleaning process, based on the particle size of the pollutant, is based on four techniques:[1]
- Sieving
- Diffusion
- Inertial impaction
- Interception
A number of recommended practices have been written on testing these filters, including:[4]
- IEST-RP-CC001: HEPA and ULPA Filters,
- IEST-RP-CC007: Testing ULPA Filters,
- IEST-RP-CC022: Testing HEPA and ULPA Filter Media, and
- IEST-RP-CC034: HEPA and ULPA Filter Leak Tests.
See also
[edit]- Minimum efficiency reporting value (MERV)
- High-efficiency particulate air (HEPA)
- Microparticle performance rating (MPR)
References
[edit]- ^ a b David A. John. Air-distribution design: HEPA or ULPA filtration. Air distribution design HEPA or ULPA filtration ASHRAE Journal, vol. 55, no. 5, May 2013
- ^ Xu, Zhonglin (October 10, 2013). Fundamentals of Air Cleaning Technology and Its Application in Cleanrooms. Springer Science & Business Media. ISBN 978-3-642-39374-7 – via Google Books.
- ^ Holah, John; Lelieveld, Huub L. M.; Moerman, Frank (May 25, 2023). Hygienic Design of Food Factories. Woodhead Publishing. ISBN 978-0-12-822619-3 – via Google Books.
- ^ "IEST Recommended Practices". IEST. 2007-12-03. Retrieved 2008-01-14.
External links
[edit]- ULPA Filter Efficiency Chart: Sentry Air Systems
- European Standard for EPA, HEPA & ULPA Filters — EN 1822 p. 6
- EN 1822: the standard that greatly impacted the European cleanrooms market
- Ulpa Filter Designs and How it clears the air
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