Effects of PTFE-coated membrane on polyester needle-punched filter media for the control of industrial air pollution

Abstract

Physical and chemical properties of aerosol, filter media properties, aerosol composition, dust cake properties, construction of filter unit, dew point and temperature are the parameters that affect the filtration performance during the control of industrial air pollution. No comprehensive experimental study has been reported on the effect of varying cleaning cycle times on the filtration performances, and no emission study at the clean side was conducted using PTFE-coated membrane on polyester needle punched filter media. In this experimental work, we are studying the filtration performances and characterization of emitted particles with varying cleaning cycle times in a pulse jet filtration system with membranecoated media. The particulate emissions in terms of PM2.5 and PM10 are substantially lower, when using a coated membrane on filter media. Mass concentration and number concentration in downstream emission is also lower for filter media using PTFE membrane on needle felt nonwovens fabric media. Filtration efficiency is higher for filter media with PTFE coated than without PTFE membrane coating. PTFE membrane-coated media fabric exhibits lower residual pressure drop (ΔP), which ultimately enhances the filter media life, more energy saving and better control on emissions. The downstream D10, D50, and D90 particles values are much higher in non-PTFE membrane-coated filter media. Overall, it is observed that fabric filter media with PTFE membrane, arrests a higher proportion of the fine particles, which causes lesser impacts on human health by industrial air pollution. Hence, the membrane-coated filter media (i.e. membrane separation) effectively controls the fine particles emission at downstream side/clean side.