SIMOUN: high temperature dynamic test rig for industrial air filters

The test rig SIMOUN is designed for the testing of air filters (especially particulate filters) under high temperature dynamic conditions. Its operating conditions allow temperatures and flow rates up to 4000C and 4.000 m3/h, respectively. The facility is located at the Saclay Nuclear Center. It has been designed to make fast temperature changes in order to reproduce the typical accidental temperature profiles obtained during simulated fire experiments. Particular emphasis is given to the system of control which is a rather sophisticated part of the test rig. High temperature efficiency measurements are performed during the tests by means of a sodium chloride aerosol. The efficiency test procedure has been developed from the results of a qualification study which included a comparison with the French standardized uranine test method (AFNOR NF-S-44.011). The SIMOUN test rig has been operable since October 1983. It is being used for the testing of manufactured filter systems and components and for research on filter behavior in accident situations, especially fires. Results are given on the behavior of some manufactured filters