The performance evaluation of pleated electret filters enhanced by electrostatic enhanced method

Abstract

The filtration efficiency deterioration over operating time due to exposure to particles, organic solvents and other factor is an obvious defect of electret filter, especially during the coronavirus pandemic. Electrostatic enhanced method has been proposed as a promising way to improve the filtration efficiency and service time of electret filters without increasing the pressure drop. In this work, the effect of discharge electrode structure and operation mode of the electrostatic enhanced structure(EES) on the filtration efficiency of commercial pleated electret filters were studied firstly, then the EES was installed in a special designed prototype air purifier, two key indicators of air purifiers(clean air delivery rate (CADR) and cumulate clean mass (CCM)) were tested to evaluate the actual performance improvement of electret filters by the electrostatic enhanced method. It was found that the discharge electrode structure had significant influence on the filtration efficiency and multi-wire array electrode was more suitable for the discharge electrode to pleated filter to ground mesh structure used in this paper. The decayed electrostatic charges of pleated electret filter cannot be recharged again through the EES in actual operation condition. The filtration efficiency improvement of the test pleated electret filters was dominantly contributed by particle charging. The filter polarizing induced by the external electric field was helpful in increasing the filtration efficiency when the particles were charged while its effect on uncharged particles was almost negligible. Besides, the actual performance of the prototype air purifier indicated that the EES can alleviate the filtration efficiency deterioration of test electret filters and extend the service life of H11 and H13 filters by more than 3 and 1.5 times respectively according to the CCM test results.

Research of electret air filter: A review

“…21 Additionally, diverse polymer fillers can be incorporated into the pores to confer novel functionalities to the filter. 22 In fact, fibers have a limited charge, and excellent electret effects can be obtained by using different preparation methods. For example, self-charging can be achieved through friction power generation under mechanical friction.…”

“…When capturing PM, the imperceptible electric field existing between the fibers can effectively bridge the significant spatial gap, thereby enhancing the particle capture efficiency and increasing filter permeability 21 . Additionally, diverse polymer fillers can be incorporated into the pores to confer novel functionalities to the filter 22 . In fact, fibers have a limited charge, and excellent electret effects can be obtained by using different preparation methods.…”