no. 1 2017 air pollution - the invisible threat - camfil · no. 1 2017 air pollution - the...

NO. 1 2017

Air Pol lut ion - the invisible threat

CAMFIL – Clean Air Solutions

ISO 16890’S IMPACT AND ADVANTAGES

CAN YOUR INLET FILTERS TAKE A STORM?

A WINNING IAQ SOLUTION IN RIO

EDITORIAL – ALAN O'CONNELL

CAMFIL AIRMAIL is a worldwide publication for Camfil customers. Available in nine languages.

Published by: Camfil AB, Sveavägen 56E SE-111 34 STOCKHOLM, Sweden Tel +46 8 545 12 500. Fax +46 8 24 96 50 E-mail: [email protected] www.camfil.com

Publisher: Alain Bérard, Executive Vice President Marketing & Products

Editor: Magnus Jerräng Tel +46 8 545 12 513. Fax +46 8 24 96 50

Text/Artwork: Camfil and Thorn PR Sweden AB/YMR Kommunikation AB

Head Office: Camfil AB, Sveavägen 56E, SE-111 34 STOCKHOLM, Sweden. Tel +46 8 545 12 500. Fax +46 8 24 96 50

Want to know more: www.camfil.com

EXHIBITIONS JANUARY – MAY 2017

2 AirMail No. 1 2017

January

17-20 NSSF ShotShow Owners VIP Reception. Sands Expo Center, Las Vegas, USA.

23-26 AME Roundup 2017 (Mining). Vancouver Convention Centre, Canada.

26-Feb 1 IMTEX 2017. Bangalore International Exhibition Centre, Bangalore, India.

February

8-9 Sairaalatekniikan päivät 2017. “Hospital Days”. Hämeenlinna, Finland.

20-22 Ace Summit & Reverse Expo 2017. Westin Peachtree Plaza Hotel, Atlanta, USA.

28-Mar 2 HOUSTEX 2017. George R. Brown Convention Center, 1001 Avenida de las Americas, Houston, Texas, USA.

23-25 ACREX INDIA 2017. India Expo Centre (IEML), Greater Noida, New Delhi, India.

March

5-9 WM Symposium 2017. Phoenix Convention Center, Phoenix, USA.

7-9 CFIA – Carrefour des Fournisseurs de l’Industrie Agroalimentaire = Food and beverage exhibition. Rennes, France.

12-15 ASHE PDC Expo 2017. Orlando, USA.

15 Sisäilmastoseminaari 2017 “IAQ”. Helsinki, Finland.

15-16 Fastighetsmässan, Kistamässan, Stockholm, Sweden.

28-30 Contaminexpo/Contaminexpert. Paris Expo Porte de Versailles, Paris, France.

May

8-11 Food Safety Summit 2017. Donald E. Stephens Convention Center, Rosemont, USA.

15-17 FMA Future Facilities Summit 2017. Château Élan Winery & Resort, Atlanta, USA.

17-19 Power-Gen 2017. Pragati Maidan, New Delhi, India.

The threat

you cannot

seeDear Readers, welcome to 2017By now, you have probably heard that I have re-turned to Camfil as President and CEO to take over after Magnus Yngen, who left the company in December last year after successfully com-pleting his three-year assignment. Camfil might have a new leader but our company’s course and goal remain the same: to continue building our business, maintain our global leadership posi-tion, and especially r emain the first choice of our valued customers.

Speaking of choice, you can read inside how it is more important than ever to have the right air filtration provider for your ventilation systems, especially in urban areas suffering from poor ambient air quality. This issue focuses on this subject, highlighting the need for people to be more aware of the fine particles in air pollution that constitute an invisible threat and a public health challenge today.

In the polluted cities of the world, people are inhaling a witch’s brew of microscopic particu-late matter (PM) that can constrict the airways of the lungs, increase the chance of developing asthma, and unleash free radicals to catalyze carcinogens in the bloodstream and activate cellular processes that may lead to cancer or cardiovascular disease.

We now know that the finest and smallest particles, PM1, are the most dangerous. PM1 spares no one. It especially affects vulnerable people like children, the sick and the elderly, but also healthy, active people. This is why people now need to question the quality of the air they breathe.

Breathe confidently with usAt Camfil, we want people to breathe clean air with total confidence. As a world leader in air filtration, our mission is to supply world-class filters to protect people and processes from poor quality air. You can read about several solutions for customers in this edition of AirMail, which

focuses on air pollution issues and serves as an extension of our online “Take a Breath” cam-paign on www.camfil.com/takeabreath.

If you are not acquainted with Take a Breath, take a look. On the dedicated web pages, you will be amazed to find many interesting facts and figures about air pollution and its associ-ated health threats. More importantly, you can learn more about air filters and why indoor air pollution is worse than the outdoor version, and how effective filters in ventilation systems stop air pollutants “at the door” to protect health and enhance productivity.

New global standardThis brings us to the new ISO 16890 testing and classification system, which will play an impor-tant role for choosing the right filters, especially because it measures a filter’s efficiency on PM1 particles. Inside this issue, our Global Technical Director briefly explains the impacts of the new standard and how it will help eliminate poor-performing filters in the market.

Join our clean air movementAs we start a new year, Camfil looks forward to remaining in the vanguard of a growing move-ment to help the world reduce the negative effects of polluted air.

We all have a duty to see the big picture of air pollution. Unfortunately, it tends to be invisible to the naked eye, while the benefits of effective filtration and good indoor air quality are always tangible for health and productivity.

Best regards,

Alan O'ConnellCEO

AirMail No. 1 2017 3

“Given the higher respiration rate of elite athletes, it seems likely that air pollutants will negatively affect their performance and long-term health. To create a clean environment dur-ing the indoor recovery period would therefore seem to be an important strategy for reducing their total daily exposure to pollutants and for secur-ing an optimal environment during their recovery period,” says Sven-Erik Dahlén, Professor at Karolinska’s Institute of Environmental Medicine who supervised the study. “Rio was a very important project, teaching us that it is feasible to achieve a signifi-cant reduction of indoor air pollution in an extreme real-life situation.”

For the pilot study, Camfil sup-plied City M and City S air purifiers. City M was used to purify air in the residences of four selected Swedish

Olympians for several months prior to the Games. Eighty City S units were placed in the living accommo-dations of all Swedish Olympic team members in Rio.

Complete IAQ programBefore Rio, the Swedish elite athletes were briefed on the importance of IAQ and air purifier technology. Dur-ing the study, Olympic wrestler Jenny Fransson had the opportunity to supply lung function and lung inflammation biomarker recordings, proving that it is feasible to collect such objective data over longer time-periods, even on very active and competitive athletes.

Extensive measurementsThe pilot study involved technical tests and measurements. An ad-vanced particle counter calibrated airborne concentrations in homes

and Olympic rooms before and after air purifiers were used. Camfil’s IAQ Multiscreen product tracked VOCs, and IAQ screening tests were con-ducted for additional analysis of in-door air. Camfil’s scanning electron microscope (SEM) also took photos of air samples to analyze the particle content.

According to the preliminary re-sults, the air purifiers proved to reduce indoor particle concentrations considerably, making indoor air up to ten times cleaner than outdoor air. In one athlete’s room, the particle con-centration was reduced up to 90 per-cent in less than one hour with City S.

“Our most successful Olympian in Rio, swimmer Sarah Sjöström (one gold medal, one silver and one bronze) felt the air purifiers were an extra benefit that helped her main-tain the highest performance stand-ard, despite an extremely busy sched-ule. Even if we don’t know yet if this was a psychological or true physio-logical effect, it was a very favorable outcome,” said Professor Dahlén.

He now hopes the pilot study will encourage efforts to conduct a larger controlled study of the values of these devices among patients with asthma and for the recovery of endurance athletes.

More detailed results and conclu-sions will be published later.

*Karolinska Institutet, located in Stockholm, Sweden, is one of the world’s foremost medical universities.

IAQ was a winner in RioOrdinary people, when resting, breathe up to 10,000 liters of air daily. High-performance athletes may inhale

100,000 to 200,000 liters, making them even more susceptible to the adverse effects of air pollution. In that

case, can elite athletes recover better and faster by breathing air cleaned by air purifiers with HEPA filters? This

was the focus of a unique pilot study conducted before and during the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio by the Swedish

Olympic Committee (SOC), Camfil’s indoor air quality (IAQ) experts and Karolinska Institutet* (see AirMail 1-16).

Swedish Olympic swimmer Sarah Sjöström captured one gold medal, one silver and one bronze in Rio. She was very satisfied with the function of Camfil’s air purifiers in her home and in Rio, saying they made her feel “secure” about the air she breathed.

45,000

40,000

35,000

30,000 000

/m3

Time

25,000 000

20,000 000

15,000 000

10,000 000

5,000 000

19.59.59 20.11.43 20.23.11 20.34.55 20.46.53 20.58.240

10 µm

0.3 µm

Test with City S in an Olympic Village room. In less than one hour, the air purifier reduced the concentration of 0.3 micron particles by more than 90%. City S also brought down the concentration of dust (10.0 μm) from 40,000 particles to just a few.

Jenny Fransson, bronze medalist in wres-tling in Rio, supplied lung function and biomarker recordings before and after Rio. She suffers from asthma and allergies. “We always take great caution to plan our diets and many other factors at Olympic events but we have never attempted before to do something about the problem of outdoor and indoor air pollution,” she says. Jenny could really feel the difference in air quality with Camfil air purifiers. “I think it is wise to invest in clean air.”


AIR POLLUTION

We breathe every four seconds, around 22,000 breaths a day. In the

highly polluted areas of inner cities, we breathe in more than 25 million

particles with each breath. We inhale fine dust, viruses and bacteria.

We are also exposed to countless other health-endangering particles

and gases. Where do all these air pollutants come from?

Sources of air pollutionAir pollution has many natural and man-made sources but consists mostly of solid particulate matter.

Man-made sources are responsible for many of the very small particles in the air, especially from combustion processes, and include vehicle exhaust emissions, power generation, construc-tion and industry. Particles from natu-ral sources tend to be at the larger end of the size spectrum and include pollen, forest fires, volcanoes, and windblown soil and sand.

Another difference is that man-made pollutants are frequently generated close to areas of high population den-sity, such as cities. On the other hand, natural pollutants are often transported great distances before they reach us.

There are also sources of particulate matter inside buildings. These include dust raised from carpets, shedding of human skin particles, shedding from clothing, photocopiers, wood and coal fires, candles and aerosols.

The most dangerous particlesThe greatest risk to human health from air pollution is related to breathing PM1, the smallest and most dangerous particulate matter, which by number is predominantly comprised of nano and ultrafine particles. The majority of PM1 particles originate from combustion processes. A major source in city envi-ronments is vehicle engine emissions, especially diesel engines, which WHO classes as carcinogenic.

But indoor air is more pollutedPeople spend up to 90 percent of their lives indoors and indoor air can be up to 50 times more polluted than outdoor air, according to a European Union ECA report.*

Filtration to the rescueIf polluted outdoor air is not effectively filtered and cleaned before the ventila-tion system distributes it, the indoor air will contain a large quantity of the harmful particulates that find their way into people’s respiratory tract and circu-lation system. These particles substances can also combine with those already pre-sent indoors and become more aggres-sive and harmful.

With quality air filters in air handling units, a significant proportion of these air pollutants can be stopped, but it will be increasingly important to choose the right filter and efficiency for the target-ed particulate matter to protect human health.

For more information about air pol-lution, particulate matter, air filtration and indoor air quality, visit www.camfil.com/takeabreath. Your nearest Camfil company is also ready to advise you on the best filter choice for your particular HVAC system.

You could be breathing these harmful pollutants

OTHER POLLUTION CULPRITS

Air pollution is a cocktail of ingredients in particle and gas form. In addition to breathing PM1, PM2.5 and PM10 parti-cles, our health may be impacted by:

Nitrogen dioxide (NO2)

Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) is a toxic gas.

Sources: combustion processes.

Effects: Symptoms of bronchitis in asthmatic children, reduced lung

function growth in cities.

Ground-level ozone (O3)

Created by chemical reactions of nitro-gen oxides (NOx) and volatile organic

compounds (VOC) in sunlight.

Sources: industrial emissions, motor vehicle exhaust, gasoline

vapors and chemical solvents.

Effects: chest pain, coughing, throat irritation and congestion, aggravated asthma and other lung disease.

Sulfur dioxide (SO2)

Sources: fossil fuel combustion at power plants and other industrial facilities.

Effects: Constriction of the airways and increased asthma, headaches

and general discomfort.

Benzene and PAH (benzo(a)pyrene)

Sources: gasoline, automobile exhaust fumes, and emissions from some

factories. PAH (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons) represents com-

pounds that may cause cancer. The level of benzo(a)pyrene is often used

as an indicator of the total amount of PAH. In outdoor city air, the most important source is traffic-related, mainly exhaust from diesel vehicles.

Effects: Carcinogenic. Benzene: leukemia, birth defects and damage to the nervous system. Benzo(a)pyrene: eye, nose, throat and bronchial tube irritation.

Heavy metals

Arsenic, cadmium, lead, mercury and nickel.

Sources: combustion plants, incinera-tors and industrial processes.

Effects: damage in the blood, heart, liver, kidney and other organs, the reproductive and respiratory systems; impaired mental development; allergic skin reactions.

*Report references, links and addi-tional facts and figures are available at www.camfil.com/takeabreath/.


AIR POLLUTION

How important is ISO 16890?ISO 16890 is a new testing proce-dure and classification system for air filters used in general ventilation systems. Its global applicability is of great significance. The release deci-sion was 100 percent positive from all voting countries.

Until now the air filtration industry has lacked a global standard. In the Americas, ASHRAE 52.2 dominated and EN 779 prevailed in Europe. In Asia and the Middle East, both stand-ards were used side by side, together with standards from individual coun-tries, such as Japan and China.

How does ISO 16890 work?The standard has four parts. Part 1 consists of technical specifications, requirements and the classification system. Part 2 is the measurement of fractional efficiency. Part 3 deter-mines dust arrestance and airflow resistance versus the mass of test dust. Part 4 involves the conditioning method to determine the minimum fractional test efficiency.

Efficiency is tested with three different particle sizes within the 0.3 µm to 10 µm range and the results are related directly to performance against PM1, PM2.5 and PM10.

A new fine ISO dust is used to meas-ure dust loading, which indicates the life of a filter and development of pressure loss. A mandatory and tough discharging method is employed us-ing an IPA vapor. Filters must achieve a minimum 50% efficiency to qualify for ePM1 and ePM2.5 classifications.

Overall, there are 49 filter classifica-tions in four groups: ISO Coarse, ePM10, ePM2.5 and ePM1. Only one filter classification is allowed on a product label

Who benefits?The new standard definitely benefits filter specifiers and users. It recog-nizes that air filters positively influ-ence air quality, and therefore human health. ISO 16890 is also more intui-tive by being better aligned with real world air pollution.

What is the global impact?Because ISO 16890 is globally applica-ble, there will now be one test for all filter providers. This will eliminate confusion and invalid attempts to cross-reference results from differ-ent existing test methods. It will also remove a barrier to trade. Consider the real world of HVAC projects to-day. In major construction projects, such as international airports, it is not unusual that the design engi-neers, constructors and airport loca-tion are all in different countries.

How does the standard affect air filter manufacturers?It will harmonize the air filtration industry and lead to transparency, equality and opportunities. ISO 16890 provides a level playing field. Now it will be easier and fairer to compare competing products.

The new standard has incorporated the most advantageous features of the current standards and none of the disadvantages. Overall this contrib-

utes to a much, much better testing procedure and classification system.

In Camfil’s opinion, this will drive product innovation and customer value and serve to eliminate some of the low-performing products that probably shouldn’t be in the market today.

How specifically?One of the most significant advan-tages is that the new test procedure requires that filter efficiency be measured against the fine particle fraction PM1 – all particles sized less than one micron.

This test must be done both when the filter is new and unused, and it is repeated when any electrostatic charge, which could artificially en-hance performance in the laboratory, has been removed from the filter. In real-life applications, electrostatic charges are lost and there is no addi-tion to filter performance. Both the new result and the discharge result must exceed 50% minimum efficiency for the filter to be rated ePM1.

Why is PM1 so important?Air pollution is a growing threat to human health and the medical and scientific communities are increasingly report-ing that the PM1 fraction of airborne particulate matter is most hazard-ous. These ultrafine particles penetrate the bloodstream and the whole body. Keep in mind that we breathe 15 kilos of air a day. In highly polluted areas, people can breathe more than 25 million particles with each breath!

The opportunity to select ePM1* filters will result in improved in-door air quality and re-duce health risks. This is why Camfil will always strongly

recommend the use of ePM1-rated filters to reduce indoor air pollution and improve human health.

Can customers get advice?Absolutely. Customers can turn to their local Camfil companies for advice on filter selection according to ISO 16890. We offer educational seminars and webinars for specifiers, HVAC engineers and regulators. We also have a special e-mail address for queries: [email protected].

The first global air filter standard:

ISO 16890’s impact, implications and advantagesFor the first time in history the air filtration industry has agreed

on a global testing and classification standard that makes it easier

for customers to select the right filter for the right application.

More importantly, the new standard includes a new efficiency

rating for PM1 – the smallest and most harmful airborne particles.

“Air filters are finally being recognized for their positive influence

on air quality and human health,” says Dr. Chris Ecob, Camfil’s

Global Technical Director, who summarizes the impact, implica-

tions and advantages of ISO 16890 below.

*ePM1 is one of four new ISO group classifications referring to filters with a minimum efficiency of 50% on the smallest fraction of particulate matter referenced in the standard – PM1, particles less than 1 micron in size (<1.0 μm).


AIR POLLUTION

Air is a basic human need but the quality

of the air we breathe is vital, as docu-

mented in many studies on the health and

productivity benefits of good indoor air

quality (IAQ) and proper ventilation.

Now the research community is going one step fur-ther by examining the impacts of fine particulate matter pollution on skilled labor and human capital. The bottom line is this: when air pollution increases, people slow down. The findings of one recent study are summarized below to illustrate this emerging research field.

China as a research areaThe news media regularly reports on the air pollu-tion woes of the world’s metropolises and the air quality of China’s big cities is among the worst.

Like other countries, China has a real-time Air Quality Index (AQI) to tell the population when the air poses a health risk. The index measures the usual cocktail of pollutants, including particulate matter like PM2.5 and PM10, and gases like ozone, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide and carbon monoxide (see box).

Anything above 100 is considered “bad news”. In Shanghai, for example, the index periodically reaches 150, which involves risks for everyone’s health in this city. The capital is worse: when this article was written, the index was in the 240 to 290 range in Beijing or “very unhealthy”.

Call center studyThe poor air quality of Chinese cities obviously makes the country interesting for air pollution

research, as shown by an investigation1 carried out by a team of researchers from U.S. universities.

The same team published a paper two years earlier on the effects of air pollution on the productivity of indoor workers at a pear-packing factory in the U.S. But their new study from China has broken new ground by demonstrating that the negative impacts of pollution on productivity extend beyond physi-cally demanding tasks to indoor, sedentary white-collar work.

To establish the correlation between productivity and air pollution, the researchers focused on office workers in two call centers belonging to a major travel agency in Shanghai and Nantong. Each work-er’s daily output was precisely measured and linked to daily measures of pollution and weather phe-nomenon. Higher levels of air pollution decreased worker productivity by reducing the number of calls that workers completed each day.

When air pollution was high, workers spent more time on breaks and completed fewer calls. On aver-age, a 10 percent increase in the AQI was associated with a 0.35 percent decrease in the number of calls handled per day. The conclusion was that workers in the two call centers were estimated to be 6 per-cent more productive on low-pollution days than high-pollution days.

PM suspectedParticulate matter (PM) was suspected to be the cause of the lower work output because it can easily enter buildings through windows and vents. The smallest of these particles – PM1 – enter the blood stream and the central nervous system, affecting concentration and mental performance.

The study thus indicated a potential need for busi-

nesses to invest in effective air filters in their build-ing ventilation systems to eliminate both outdoor and indoor air pollutants.

Camfil, for example, strongly recommends air filters that are capable of removing PM1 – the most dangerous particles. For supplementary air filtra-tion in polluted urban areas, Camfil also offers a range of standalone air purifiers, of which some models come with molecular filters to remove VOCs (volatile organic compounds) and emissions from sources like interior furnishings.

Cost of pollutionIn the Chinese study, the researchers also estimated the cost of air pollution to the country's service sec-tor, as measured in lost productivity. The Chinese service sector is very much located in polluted cities. The researchers estimated that a 10-point reduction in China’s AQI could increase worker productivity by at least CNY 15 billion (USD 2.2 billion) per year2.

“Given the ubiquity of office work and the value it adds to global economic output, the welfare implications of any link between pollution and pro-ductivity in this setting are potentially enormous,” the researchers wrote. They concluded that un-derstanding whether pollution limits productivity in higher skilled professions can be a question of tremendous economic importance.

Air pollution makes workers less productive

1) “The Effect of Pollution on Worker Productivity: Evidence from Call-Center Workers in China”, by Tom Chang, University of Southern California, Joshua Graff Zivin, University of California at San Diego and NBER, and Tal Gross and Matthew Neidell, Columbia University, NBER AND IZA. Discussion Paper No. 10027 published in June 2106 by the Institute for the Study of Labor (IZA), Bonn, Germany. (NBER = The National Bureau of Economic Research.)

2) According to the National Bureau of Statistics of China (2014), the total urban wage bill in the service sector totaled CNY 3,958,960 million in 2013. At CNY 6.19 Yuan to the U.S. dollar in 2013, that translates into USD 639,243,040,000. Multi-plying that figure by 0.35 percent – the estimated decline in productivity at the two call centers – yields USD 2,429,123,552.

PM – PARTICULATE MATTER

PM2.5 particles < 2.5 microns* in size, such as pollen, spores and other organic particles.

PM10 coarser fine dust and organic particles < 10 micron in size.

These two fractions are commonly reported, although the focus today is shifting to the smallest and most harmful fraction, PM1.

PM1 consisting of fine dust and combustion particles smaller than 1 micron in size that travel to the deepest area of the lungs, enter the bloodstream and cause respiratory and cardiovascular disease.

*1 micron (μm) =1/1000th of a millimeter.


AIR POLLUTION

Take a Breath!Air pollution is the greatest environmental risk to human health today. Thanks to the efforts of the World Health Organization (WHO) and other public health agencies, the general public is learning more and more about the negative effects of air pollution and how it causes several million premature deaths worldwide

every year.

Bad air is literally bad for health because it increases the risk of stroke, cardiovascular disease and respira-tory ailments, including asthma. It can even cause dementia.

With breathing being essential to life, people need to question the qual-ity of the air they breathe. At Camfil, we want people to breathe with total confidence.

This is the mission of our current “Take a Breath” campaign – to cre-ate interest, provide information and raise awareness about indoor and outdoor air pollution. In our opinion, clean air is a human right.

Information is a click awayYou can learn more about air pollu-tion and its effects – and why good indoor air quality is so important – by visiting Camfil’s “Take a Breath” web pages.*

Here you can find a FAQ, Fact Sheet, video films, webinars, a blog and news reports on air pollution, plus important facts you need to know about PM1 – the smallest and most harmful airborne particles. You can also find information about the new ISO 16890 standard for air filter testing, also described in this issue.

*www.camfil.com/takeabreath/


NEW & NOTEWORTHY

Arctech Helsinki Shipyard (Finland) is a forerunner in developing and applying technological innovations

to build icebreaking vessels for tough arctic conditions and routes. Owned by the Russian United

Shipbuilding Corporation, Arctech has designed and built a number of specialized ships, including two

multifunctional supply vessels and a multipurpose emergency rescue vessel, all icebreaking. Arctech

has also developed and supplied the world’s first oblique icebreaker with an asymmetrical hull. Five

icebreaking ships are currently under construction for Russian and European customers.

Mindset for work safetyArctech constantly strives for operational excellence. The company is certified to the relevant quality and environ-mental standards for the shipbuilding industry and it prioritizes solutions to improve working conditions for Arctech employees. The latter is important when building and repairing ships, which involves a lot of welding, grind-ing and sandblasting processes.

At Arctech, welding and grinding work is performed within ship blocks and sand blasting activities inside large plastic tents. These processes, carried out on a large scale, typically produce fine dust and fumes that negatively impact air in the workplace.

Filtration was inadequateTo extract dust and fumes from ship blocks and tents, Arctech had been renting dust collectors to clean up the work environment. Exhaust air was returned for filter-ing and cleaning in rented dust collectors in the main hall. These collectors had to be transportable mobile units because processes are flexible and carried out in many different locations in the yard. Forklift truck or cranes moved the collectors around the premises wherever dust collection was needed.

Problems with the filtration efficiency and cost of the rented collectors prompted Arctech to find a more profes-sional solution. Camfil was contacted to analyze Arctech’s dust collection needs. A complete mobile solution was requested.

Camfil’s experts discovered that the airflow rate and filtration efficiency could be better.

Camfil APC’s solutionTo meet Arctech’s need for a mobile dust collection, Camfil recommended:• Two Farr Gold Series® GS02 dust collectors with Low

Boy hoppers, each cleaning 3,000 m3/h with 60 m2 of filter media area.

• One Farr Gold Series® GS08 collector cleaning 15,000 m3/h with 240 m2 of filter media.

All three Camfil APC units are built on skids for easy trans-port. A local supplier manufactured the special parts for the collectors and Camfil’s partner took care of the installation.

Hemipleat® eXtreme FR Gold Cone cartridgesThese Farr Gold Series dust collectors are equipped with Camfil APC’s unique Hemipleat® eXtreme FR Gold Cone filter cartridges. The cartridge’s design allows full use of the PolyTech™ eXtreme filter media, which is certified Dust Class “M” in accordance with DIN EN 60335-2-69 Annex AA to deliver high efficiencies (99.9%) on 0.5 micron particles and capture more air pollutants. The cartridges also have a low pressure drop for high energy efficiency and feature enhanced dust release during pulse jet cleaning, due to the Gold Cone technology.

Filtration efficiency at Arctech has been boosted sig-nificantly with the new collectors and the overall result is much higher air quality in ship blocks and tents to create a cleaner, healthier and more productive work environment realized with reduced energy consumption.

Satisfied with the solution, Arctech is investigating the possibility of installing additional Camfil APC collectors in the main hall for even cleaner conditions.

Dual dust solution for Arctech’s shipyard


CUSTOMER SOLUTIONS

Today, hospitals have to meet stricter demands for healthier indoor air quality (IAQ)

and greater energy efficiency. Air filtration in the heating, ventilation and air con-

ditioning (HVAC) system will satisfy the first demand. High-performance air filters

maintain sound indoor air quality (IAQ), protect staff from airborne maladies, reduce

exposure to infected individuals and increase comfort for staff and patients alike.

Quality filters also help hospitals meet the se cond requirement – to use less energy to operate the HVAC system, which accounts for up to 50 per-cent of a building’s total electricity bill. The right choice of filters for air handling units (AHUs) will actually lower ventilation expenses while increasing the all-important level of air cleanli-ness. The end product is a healthier and more productive indoor environment at lower cost.

The energy savings can be significant. Maria Cecilia Hospital* discovered this in a filter comparison test with Camfil Italy and the Eta Beta engineering firm. The test was conducted to raise IAQ for better health and productivity, but also to optimize maintenance and lower the hospital’s total cost of ownership (TCO) for filters.

LCC analysis firstCamfil LCC software mapped the potential payoff from optimizing Maria Cecilia’s filter program. Filters from Camfil and two other sup-pliers were then benchmarked. Eta Beta man-aged the start-up phase and monitored the test results.

Three AHUs were used in the test and G4 pre-filters were eliminated. Pressure drop, energy usage and particle concentrations were monitored in all filtration stages (F7, F9 and H14).

The measurements, conducted for 24 months, revealed that Camfil’s Opakfil Energy in class F7 and F9 was the top performer because of its particle efficiency, higher dust holding capacity, lower pressure drop development, and energy savings. After two years of operation, there was still no need to replace the filters.

60 percent savingsThe TCO was calculated as follows for the 24-month period:• Camfil: EUR 101.328 • Supplier 1: EUR 141.227 • Supplier 2: EUR 266.050

The test clearly indicated the best filter to use in different classes, allowing savings of 60 percent, compared to previous filter purchasing and energy costs. GVM has also used the findings to plan and optimize filter purchasing and mainte-nance at its other healthcare facilities.

“The initial study allowed us to define guide-lines for using filters of higher efficiency with-out having to modify existing HVAC systems. The results clearly showed how we can provide better and healthier IAQ in our facilities with remarkable cost savings,” says Paolo Somaroli, supervisor of the test project at Maria Cecilia.

After the test, Camfil developed and launched a newer filter to realize even greater energy savings – Opakfil ES, GVM’s current choice.

“If we had repeated the same comparative test today using Opakfil ES instead of Opakfil Energy, we would have obtained even more rewarding results,” he ends.

* Maria Cecilia (Cotignola, Italy) is part of Gruppo Villa Maria (GVM), a network of hospitals and private polyclinics operat-ing all over Italy as a partner to the public health system, par-ticularly for treatment of cardiovascular diseases. The GVM group also operates centers in France, Albania and Poland.

MARIA CECILIA HOSPITAL, ITALY:

Delivering healthier IAQ at lower cost

Comparison of projected costs 24 months

€300,000

€250,000

€200,000

€150,000

€100,000

€50,000

0Total cost of filters

Total energy costs

TCO

Opakfil Energy Supplier 2 filter Supplier 1 filter

High-level filtrationArctech uses cranes at a height of 40 meters and small particles and fumes generated by the ship-yard’s activities tended to “climb up” to the operator cabs on the cranes.

The fugitive dust and fumes also caused equipment to mal-function. Small airborne par-ticles penetrated the electrical cabinets containing frequency converters, relays and other components.

Air cleaners to the rescueTo resolve the problems, Camfil installed a small air cleaner inside each cab. Cabs are also equipped with CamCarb™ cylin-ders for supplementary molecu-lar filtration.

Electric cabinets were equip-ped with the CamCleaner™ 300 Concealed, which delivers only clean air to the cabinets and cre-ates overpressure in the cabinets to keep particles out.

Air quality in cabs has im-proved dramatically and reduced the indoor particle concentra-tion. The clean air distributed to electrical cabinets has stopped equipment from failing, saving Arctech a considerable amount of money with a very small investment in air filtration.


CUSTOMER SOLUTIONS

Incorporating an odor control

solution with molecular filtration

into an existing HVAC system is

sometimes not an option when

space is limited and the installa-

tion requires costly modifications.

This was the situation at the plant of a major American biopharmaceutical manufacturer in the U.S. Northeast. When employee complaints of nuisance odor escalated on the premises, an in-vestigation was launched to pinpoint the source and eliminate the problem.

The facility manufactures medicines, vaccines and medical devices for a broad range of medical disciplines. The prob-lem was a distinct unpleasant odor in the lab and cold storage area where fermen-tation samples were stored.

Fugitive smellAll scientists at the facility have access to a large, 45°F (7°C) walk-in cooler and en-tering and exiting the area caused large blasts of odor. Doors were frequently left open while transferring products and samples. Within minutes of opening the cooler, the odors migrated to hallways and nearby offices.

The fermentation process caused the smell. While the odor is primarily ethanol-based and not considered a health risk, it was extremely unpleasant and distract-ing to those exposed to it.

CamCleaner™ with CamCarb™Camfil’s molecular filtration specialists offered an immediate and quick-fix so-lution that only required an electrical outlet: a plug-in Vertical Freestanding CamCleaner configured with molecular filters.

Odors out with plug-in

molecular solution

This mobile industrial air cleaner is a low-cost alternative to control odor. Housed with 20 CamCarb canisters for removing the gaseous contaminant, it has a small footprint and long life expec-tancy for the application, with a carbon-filter life cycle of 18 months.

Zero odor todayAir quality concerns are no longer an issue at the biopharma plant and the

odor has been completely eliminated. Offices nearby are experiencing zero odor. Employees using the storage area are reporting major improvements, with no odor build-up or unpleasant blasts of air.

The CamCleaner Vertical produced positive results immediately after in-stallation and continues to successfully control the odors generated from the fer-mentation process.


CUSTOMER SOLUTIONS

At the new production site of Vestergaard

Company A/S in Denmark, welding fumes and

dust are being effectively taken care of by a

dust collection system from Camfil.

Offering maximum safety and comfort to passengers are important cornerstones of the global airline industry. A large part of the work to achieve these goals is performed when aircraft are parked on the ground for servicing before their next departure. Vestergaard manufactures vehicles and equipment for airport ground-service support, includ-ing aircraft washers and lavatory and water service units.

Global supplierVestergaard was founded in 1962 and supplied its first ground-service support equipment for SAS Scandinavian Airlines already in 1966. Today, the company’s client list includes nearly 45 international airlines and more than 90 airports all over the world.

Vestergaard’s production site is located in central Denmark, just outside the small town of Gevninge on the outskirts of Roskilde. Production there consists largely of sheet-metal and steel-finishing work that also involves a lot of welding, mainly of stainless-steel parts.

As demand for Vestergaard’s equipment grew, the num-ber of production stations was increased. The facility’s air handling system had to increasingly deal with a greater ventilation load as a result, especially dust and fumes from welding operations in Production Hall B and C. Ventila-tion capacity was no longer sufficient to manage the fumes from the large volumes produced in these areas.

New ventilation systemA new air handling system was needed in Hall B and C that could offer a higher ventilation capacity with lower energy usage. The system also had to meet current environmen-tal and work safety standards as well as be future-proof. The Acton building company, Avidenz consulting firm and HVAC supplier T. Jespersen Ventilation were hired for the project. Camfil was selected to supply a safe, cost-effective and energy-efficient solution for dust and fume collection.

To make space for the new ventilation system, a new building was erected as an addition to the existing struc-ture to house the technical equipment. The new system has a maximum ventilation rate of 45,000 m3 per hour to smoothly remove fumes from the work of 35 welders simul-taneously.

Dust collectors from CamfilCamfil’s Farr Gold Series® dust collector was installed to effectively remove particles and gases from welding fumes. The dust collector is equipped with 20 flame-retardant HemiPleat™ eXtreme Gold Cone cartridges of F9 class (MERV 15).

Camfil’s Farr Gold Series® was selected for its high energy efficiency and operating reliability. Another advantage was the long life of the HemiPleat™ filters; at Vestergaard, the filters only need to be replaced every two to five years, depending on the dust load. Another important feature was the hoppers of the Farr Gold Series®, which are equipped with shut-off valves that allow production to continue while cartridges are cleaned.

Today, the dust collector installation from Camfil is reducing the amount of airborne dust and fumes consider-ably in Production Hall B and C.

Dust collection with a Farr Gold Series® edge for global airline supplier


Many airplanes today are typically powered by jet engines that are very similar in design to the gas turbines

used in the oil and gas industry to generate power or drive pumps and compressors. Both are sophisticated

pieces of turbomachinery that “breathe” air. While gas turbine operators are very much aware of the similarity,

they sometimes ask themselves this interesting question: “If jet engines don’t use air filters, why do gas

turbines need them?”

To answer this, let’s look at the difference between a land-based gas turbine and the jet engine of an airplane.

Airborne particlesFirst, we need to consider the effect of altitude and gravity on particles in the air. While clean air is vital to all combus-tion processes, ambient air contains mul-tiple particles from sources as diverse as industrial processes and transportation vehicles to vegetation and volcanoes.

One of the major factors in keeping a land-based gas turbine clean is to pre-vent these particles from entering the turbine. The inlet filtration system pro-tects the turbines from particulates that could cause erosion, fouling or corrosion if they enter the compressor. Even worse, particulates could plug cooling channels and cause hot corrosion if they reach the hot section of the gas turbine.

But at flying altitudes, thanks to grav-ity, particulates in ambient air are small-er, lighter and in weaker concentrations (except when there is ash in the atmos-phere from volcanic eruptions, in which case airplanes are not allowed to fly).

Bypass ratioSecond, let’s consider what is known as the “bypass ratio” for a jet engine. We can compare the first blade of an air-plane engine to the first stage or inertial

separator in a turbine filtration system. The speed and circumference of the first turbofan blade pushes heavier and larger particles away from the compressor into the bypass stream that flows around the engine (the bypass ratio), reducing the number and size of particles that reach the compressor.

MaintenanceThird, let’s consider maintenance. Aircraft engines and gas turbines are expensive investments that require regu-lar maintenance, but aircraft engines fol-low a much more extensive and rigorous maintenance schedule.

The turbine engines of airliners have to ingest some dust when they are on the ground, but they also get an average of 20 to 50 man-hours of maintenance for every 250 hours of flight. Depend-ing on its application and size (whether the gas turbine is a frame unit or an aero derivative unit), a turbine will run approximately 3,000 to 4,000 hours on average before inspection.

If an operator serviced a gas turbine as often as an airplane engine, the turbine would only be available approximately 69 percent of the time over a period of one

year. An airplane’s engine lifespan has an average life cycle of 20 years, while gas turbines last an average of 30 to 40 years, or even longer if life-extending repairs are done.

So why air filters?Clean air is vital to a gas turbine’s avail-ability, efficiency and reliability. The static or pulse filter systems used today employ highly specialized filtration tech-nology and filter media. Both types need sound engineering and customization to ensure the best turbine protection and optimal life cycle cost in arctic, coastal, desert, industrial, urban and offshore applications.

This requires the experience and knowledge of a reputable supplier – one who also knows how to retrofit existing systems to upgrade filtration efficiency, boost turbine power and reduce operat-ing costs.

So yes, turbines definitely need air filters. Inlet air filtration is always a sound investment to protect turbine assets for years to come.

For further information visit: www.camfil.com/ps

If jet engines don’t use filters, why do gas turbines need them?

INLET AIR FILTRATION


INLET AIR FILTRATION

Inlet systems for gas turbines have weather hoods and vanes for protection and water

removal, but during heavy storms, their filters are exposed to a lot of water. Filter con-

struction features such as water handling and drainage are therefore of vital importance

to ensure proper gas turbine operation. Filter efficiency and pressure drop will be impacted

if drainage is improperly designed, or if the media’s hydrophobicity – its resistance to

water – is insufficient. Water can build up on the filter media, causing increases in pressure

drop that may force dissolved contaminants through the filters and foul the turbine.

As the dust load increases, filters become more sensitive to rain and humidity, requiring early change-out, unnecessary downtime and higher costs. If the ambient air also contains salt, as in off-shore and marine applications, there is also a risk of turbine corrosion, a major and costly concern.

A professionally designed inlet system – one based on years of experience and with high-performance filters that withstand tough environmental con-ditions – will always pay for the end customer by reducing turbine wear-and-tear, lowering operat-ing costs and enabling maximum power output.

Current tests are limitedStandard filter efficiency tests are valid references but they are performed dry. Although there are in-dustry tests for media hydrophobicity, such as the EN 20811/ISO 811 standard, or the AATCC 127 hydro-static pressure test, there is no industry standard for testing the actual hydrophobicity of entire filter constructions.

Many turbine manufacturers and suppliers have therefore developed their own custom standards to test a filter’s hydrophobicity. They have limita-tions, however, because turbine filter performance

is always affected by dust and other conditions on site, or by the drainage construction.

To provide guidance for manufacturers, Camfil Power Systems (CPS) recommends the following for inlet filter systems.

Importance of drainageWater handling and drainage are important design considerations requiring:• Louvers and rain hoods to remove some water

from the airflow before it reaches the filters. • Good pre-filters to drain large droplets at the

front of the filter, maintain a low pressure drop when wet, and coalesce small droplets into larger droplets at the back.

• Hydrophobic final filters to prevent any penetra-tion of water and with enough drainage to keep a low pressure drop.

What to look forDuring an outage, salt crystals or brown water carry- over after the final filter indicate that the final filter’s hydrophobicity is probably insufficient for the inlet system. This may cause fouling, reduce power output and increase the heat rate.

To prevent water and dirt penetration, consider the following for the gas turbine filter construction:

Final static filter• Vertical pleating with interrupted hot melt sepa-

rators for optimum water drainage (horizontal pleating can trap water in the media.)

• Double sealing of the media pack to prevent leak-age. Media is often glued to the filter header in two to four steps. CPS recommends its patented double-sealing design that uses a six-step glue technique to prevent leakage.

• One-piece endless gasket instead of four pieces. In four-piece gaskets there is a small opening between each piece that might let water penetrate.

• Header with a drainage channel.

Pulse filterPulse filters only have one stage to remove all water. • The media type is of critical importance, espe-

cially if salt is present. CPS recommends a depth-loading or membrane media such as the GTC or Cambrane for stable low pressure drop.

• In a horizontal cartridge configuration, dust and water can accumulate on top of the filter, making media hydrophobicity very essential.

• A continuous gasket will reduce the risk of water penetrating.

All of these features and more are available in inlet filter solutions from Camfil Power Systems, whose experts are ready to advise you on the best design for your turbine installation.

Can your in let f i l ters take a major storm?


CAMFIL FILTER SCHOOL: MODULE 8

When to change filtersProper filter maintenance is crucial to keeping a building’s ventilation system operating properly and pro-viding the right indoor air quality. When it is time to replace the air fil-ters in each air handling unit (AHU), the following factors will determine both the timing and frequency of the change-out:

• Basic requirements of the ventilation system: The ventilation system is dimensioned for a given pressure drop over the air filters. The dimensioned pressure drop is based on the system’s total pressure drop and each AHU’s fan curve, which is unique for each ven-tilation system. The pressure drops of the system’s various com ponents are relatively constant, except for the air filters.

When air filters clean supply air from outdoors, contaminants collect in the filter, and as time goes by, the

filters will become denser with dust and particles and eventually clog. The pressure drop over the filters will increase as a result. If the final pres-sure drop is exceeded, the airflow to rooms will be reduced when the fan units in the AHUs operate at constant speed. In a system with speed-regu-lated fans, it will cost more to power each fan. A pressure gauge monitors the pressure drop over the filters.

• Medical and hygienic considerations:Dust collected by air filters may con-tain harmful substances. In the worst case, these substances can cause pro-blems when they are spread through the duct system in the supply air to rooms. To avoid microbial growth in filters (such as bacteria, mold and spores, which grow and spread), it is recommended that you replace the filters at least once a year, regardless of whether the final pressure drop has been reached or not.

• Let the calendar decide:If you have many AHU installations to take care of, it is more practical to schedule your filter replacements for a few specific times during the year. If you have made a record of pressure drop developments and the filter re-placement dates, you can often see a pattern for the filters in each ventila-tion system. If you adjust the times a little – for example, by replacing some filters a little earlier and others a little later – you can schedule your filter change-outs on a calendar basis.

• Total cost (constant air volume operation):It is economical to replace air filters when the total cost has reached the lo-west level. The monthly cost for air fil-ters will decrease the longer the filters are used. At the same time, the cost for operating the fans in the AHUs will increase as the pressure drop rises over the filters. Use Camfil’s advanced Life Cycle Cost (LCC) software to calculate the optimum replacement interval.

This means that filters should always be replaced when the final pressure drop has been reached. Depending on local hygiene requirements, the filters should be changed at least once a year. When multiple-stage filtration is used, you can wait longer than one year to change out the filters in the second filter stage.

The optimal recommendation is to replace the filters at least twice a year: in the spring after the winter heating sea-son has ended, and in the autumn, after

the pollen and spore season is over.You decide what is most important

and relevant for your filter installa-tions. Use your knowledge and expe-rience and make a well-thought-out compromise that suits your parti-cular maintenance situation.

Think of this when replacing filtersA lot of health problems associated with indoor environments are caused by insufficient maintenance of the AHUs. Many of these problems can therefore be prevented and avoided by being careful about the operation and maintenance of the building’s ventilation system.

It is important to mount the air filters correctly in the AHU, and to check that the filters fit tightly to the frame. The higher the filter class, the more important the tightness is. The filter media in modern air fil-ters has an advanced construction of extremely thin fibers that must not be damaged when you install the filters.

Bag filters are mounted upright for optimum function. Because the media in some panel, cassette and compact filters is progressively built up in seve-ral layers of filter material, it is crucial to install the filters in the direction of the arrow, if there is such a symbol.

Mount the air filter correctly:• Handle the filter material carefully

to avoid damaging it.• Install the air filter correctly.• Change any untight gaskets.

THE FOLLOWING MODULES ARE BEING OFFERED IN AIRMAIL:

Module 1: Airborne Pollutants – Why We Need Clean Air

Module 2: How Air Filters Function

Module 3: Test Methods and Standards

Module 4: Fans, Airflows and Energy Calculations

Module 5: Certification Systems

Module 6: Environmental and Energy Aspects

Module 7: Choosing the Right Filter and Filter Class

Module 8: Changing and Servicing Filters

Changing and servicing filtersMany millions of cubic meters of air have passed through air filters by the time they come to the end of their service life. You have now reached the point when you need to replace them. But when should you change out your filters? And what things should you pay attention to when you replace and handle them?


CAMFIL FILTER SCHOOL: MODULE 8

During operation:• Inspect the filters. Everything look OK? Anything

need to be taken care of?• Is the clamping device tightly closed? • Is there any moisture or snow in the filters? • Are there a lot of leaves and insects in the filters?• Check the air intake to ensure that it is not dirty.• Check the pressure gauges.• Measure the pressure drop and compare it to the

recommended final pressure drop. • Make a record of the date you replaced the filters

and what the pressure drop was.

Keep rain and moisture outRain and moisture negatively affect the ventilation system. The filter’s function is disturbed or comple-tely hindered and the ventilation system will even-tually be damaged by corrosion. There will also be a greater risk for microbial growth in the air filters and other parts of the system.

Furthermore, the average pressure drop over the filters will increase and the fan will use more power as a consequence. The ventilation system and air filters must therefore be protected from rain and moisture.

In new ventilation system installations, it is crucial to place the air intake in the best possible location in terms of weather exposure and potential sources of contaminants.

When there are rain and moisture problems, it is an advantage to use two-stage filtration. The first filter will be mostly exposed to moisture, rain and snow and protect the second-stage filter. Use a com-pact filter of at least F7 class, such as a CamGT. This watertight filter is designed to tolerate high humi-dity and has excellent water drainage in the right di-rection. But the most important thing is probably to use an intake grill for effective weather protection. An example is CamVane, an intake grill with speci-ally shaped vertical profiles that effectively prevent water and snow from penetrating the ventilation system.

Changing and handling used air filtersEfficient air filters have an essential function: they clean air by removing contaminants. The clean, fil-tered air is completely necessary, and even crucial, for a number of ventilation applications. Used fil-ters that have removed and collected contaminants from the supply air can therefore contain harmful air pollutants such as mold spores, bacteria, heavy metals, and PAHs (polycyclic aromatic hydrocar-bons). The majority of these contaminants are bound to the filter media but some can loosen when you handle and replace the filter. You should therefore always wear personal protective equipment:• Respiratory mask (lowest class FFP2 as specified

in standard EN149+A1:2009 or similar standard).

Be careful to protect the media to avoid damaging it when you install the filter. Bag filters are mounted upright and it is important to ensure that all bags stand freely. The filter has to fit tightly to the frame.

Arrange your workplace to have easy access to doors and hatches. Unpack the new clean filters before you remove the old dirty ones. Wear personal protective equipment because dirty filters contain hazardous substances. Handle the filters carefully to avoid spreading dust.

Put dirty filters in cardboard boxes or plastic bags. When used filters are packed and enclosed securely this way, you can transport them safely for disposal.

• Gloves to protect against contaminants that could penetrate the skin or small sores.

• Protective clothing, such as a disposable coverall.

Handle dirty air filters carefully to avoid spreading dust. The most sensitive moment is when you re-move the used air filter from the AHU and place it in a tight and sealable cardboard box or plastic bag. When the filter is enclosed carefully in the box or bag, you can transport it without risk.

When used air filters become wasteRemember that used air filters have to be disposed of in an environmentally friendly way, according to local regulations.

These regulations may vary from country to coun-try, but the waste usually has to be classified. Spe-cial regulations exist for hazardous waste. Keep in mind that recycling centers and incineration plants may also have special criteria for receiving waste in terms of its classification, the size and the metal content, among other restrictions.

In most cases, air filter waste is classified as non-hazardous waste and can be incinerated. The excep-tion is hazardous waste. For example, filters used to clean the exhaust air from certain manufacturing processes and laboratories may capture very harm-ful substances and have to be disposed of as hazard-ous waste.

Some filters like it hot – especially Camfil’s new Absolute™ D-Pyro,

a breakthrough development in high-temperature air filtration and

the first H14 filter on the market for depyrogenation tunnels.

Depyrogenation tunnels for sterile production in the life science in-dustry utilize ultraclean hot air up to 350°C in temperature to sterilize glass vials, ampoules and syringes before they are aseptically filled. Air of ISO 5 cleanroom quality is needed throughout the tunnel to avoid prod-uct contamination.

The depyrogenation process de-stroys endotoxins, which are part of the membrane of bacterial cells. They are called pyrogenic because they can cause fever in patients and induce undesired effects or false-positive reactions to medicines. This is why it is critical to eliminate these endotox-ins to safeguard patient health and wellness.

Since endotoxins adhere to glass-ware and plastic ware, they are very difficult to remove by washing: the only industrial process is to “burn” them away at high temperature (>280°C) for a certain time.

The hot air for this process is fil-tered through special high-tempera-ture HEPA filters (HT filters) before the air is distributed in a unidirec-tional airflow through the tunnel. The choice of the right HT filters is therefore critical for manufacturers to ensure consistent and optimum product safety, as well as maximum production quality and yield.

Historically, HT filters of H13 grade have been typically used in the hot

zone. But following industry de-mand, Camfil has stepped up particle efficiency with the Absolute D-Pyro for consistent H14-grade filtration throughout depyrogenation tunnels. The new HT filter is part of Camfil’s ProSafe air filter range for sensitive production processes.

Avoiding particle emissionsISO Class 5 cleanroom conditions are required throughout depyrogenation tunnels. It is extremely important that the HT filters do not emit parti-cles during ramping up and tempera-ture changes. They must also remain leak-free during operation in contin-uously hot temperatures.

Unfortunately, some HT filters tend to “emit” particles when tunnel tem-peratures are ramped up or down, or when the temperature varies in steady-state conditions at high tem-peratures. These particle emissions impact output and quality negatively and result in expensive downtime and filter changes. The emissions can have their source either in the sealant, or in the materials used in the filter’s construction, which can mechanically interact when tempera-tures change in the tunnel.

Camfil’s solutionTo eliminate these problems in sen-sitive aseptic filling lines, Camfil’s filtration experts designed Absolute D-Pyro with zero emissions and

with no requirement for tempering or cleaning when temperatures are ramped up and down.

Representing a major step forward in HT filtration, the Absolute D-Pyro meets the highest compliance stan-dards for providing a stable Grade A manufacturing environment and boosts process yields for tunnels. It emits no particles thanks to several design innovations realized with a completely re-engineered construc-tion and new material selection, com-pared to Camfil’s former Absolute™ 1FKR high-temp filter.

Another advantage is that no tem-pering is required before Absolute D-Pyro is placed in production. Un-like other HT filters on the market, it can be “plugged in” the process easily and used directly in temperatures up to 350°C. This is a major advantage for customers because the filter is installed and set up quickly, reducing start-up and operating costs for the depyrogenation tunnel.

Last, but not least, the Absolute D-Pyro also saves energy by eliminat-ing the need to maintain a constant temperature during downtime, or when the depyrogenation tunnel is not in operation. The annual energy savings can amount up to several thousand U.S. dollars per tunnel.

Your local Camfil company can give you further information, or down-load the brochure on Absolute D-Pyro on our website, www.camfil.com.

Introducing the first H14 high-temperature filter for

depyrogenation processes in the life science industry

www.camfil.com

KEY FEATURES OF ABSOLUTE D-PYRO

• First H14 filter for depyrogenation.

• Zero emissions.

• Zero tempering and zero cleaning.

• Working temperature up to 350°C, peaking at 450°C.

• Filter media free of bisphenol A, phthalates and formaldehyde.

• Sealed, airtight filter pack in reinforced stainless-steel frame.

• High reliability.

• Fast ramping up to +5°C per minute.

• Energy-saving.

• Efficiency: H14 (99.995%).

no. 1 2017 air pollution - the invisible threat - camfil · no. 1 2017 air pollution - the...

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