Separation of nanoparticles and nanodroplets from air using fibrous filters

Separation of particles from gas stream is of great importance in many areas of human life. Air filtering materials have wide applications. They are used inter alia in ventilation and air conditioning systems, in cars to reduce emission from diesel engines, in the device of everyday use (e.g. vacuum cleaner), as a personal protective equipment for example to avoid inhalation hazardous dust from industrial processes. Small airborne particles can cause a variety problems for human health. Long exposure to particles of submicron- and nano-sized has been related to higher death rates due to lung cancer and cardiopulmonary illness. The main object of this study was to investigate filtration efficiency of oil nanodroplets (DEHS di-ethylhexyl sebacate) and salt nanoparticles (KCl) from air using fibrous polypropylene media made by melt-blown technique. Fibrous filters are relatively inexpensive to fabricate and what is the most important they are high efficient with simultaneous low flow resistance. Three types of non-wovens having various morphology with different average fiber diameter were tested. The tests show that both KCl solid nanoparticles and DEHS nano oil-mist can be efficiently separate from the air using melt-blown fibrous materials. Moreover these filters have been also electrically charged by corona discharge. The filtration efficiency of charged filters (electrets) was compared with efficiency of uncharged (mechanicals) samples. Results showed significant increase in filtration efficiency for the filters with electric charge compared with uncharged ones.