Filtration & Heating

An air filter is a device which removes contaminants, often solid particulates such as dust, pollen, mold, and bacteria from air. more...

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They are often used in internal combustion engines, gas compressors, diving air compressors, ventilation systems and any other application where air quality is important.

The air intakes of internal combustion engines and compressors tend to use either paper, foam, or cotton filters. Oil bath filters used to be common, but have fallen out of favor.

Some buildings, as well as aircraft and other man-made environments (e.g., satellites and space shuttles) use foam, pleated paper, or spun fiberglass filter elements. Another method uses fibers or elements with a static electric charge, which attract dust particles.

Types of air filters

There are four main types of mechanical air filters: paper, foam, synthetics and cotton. Though all have varying degrees of practicality, it is generally recognized that cotton air filters are best because of their durability and technological advantages.

An example of pleated type air filters designed for in-duct use with home heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems. The quality of the air filters in use does affect the Indoor Air Quality.

Regarding Indoor Air Quality, the Department of Energy's Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy section wrote " Filtration should have a Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value (MERV) of 13 as determined by ASHRAE 5.2.2-1999." There are a variety of different types of air conditioner filters available. Many are inexpensive and not very efficient. Some options are panel, pleated, electrostatic, HEPA, electronic and media.

ASHRAE recommends (MERV 6 or higher) air filters to lower the amounts of pollen, mold and dust that reaches the wet cooling coils in air conditioning systems. Wet coils with lots of pollen and dust can cause mold to grow.

Paper

Paper filters are generally used in automobiles because they are inexpensive and disposable. Due to the characteristics of paper, good air-flow is sacrificed for good filtration.

Synthetics

Polyester fiber is commonly used to make web formations used for air filtration. Polyester has a high temperature rating (about 250°F)and is widely used in commercial, industrial or residential applications. Polyester can be blended with cotton or other fibers to produce a wide range of performance characteristics. In some cases Polypropylene, which has a lower temperature tolerance, is used to enhance chemical resistance. Tiny synthetic fibers knows as micro-fibers are used in many types of HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air Filter) filters.

Read more at Wikipedia.org