Evaluation of high-efficiency particulate air filters for venting TRUPACT-I

A series of tests were performed to evaluate the filter efficiency as a function of flow rates and particle size of selected membrane, sintered metal, carbon composite, and glass fiber particulate air filters. These filters are proposed for use as venting filters in the Transuranic Package Transporter (TRUPACT-I). The commercially available filters were also tested for filter plugging by water, because they could become wet during use in the field as a result of a combination of cold surfaces and high relative humidity. The results of these evaluation tests indicate that (1) although polymeric membrane filters have extremely high efficiencies, they are rapidly plugged by wet aerosols and water and should, therefore, be tested further for plugging by water before being considered for use in TRUPACT-I; (2) the sintered metal and carbon fiber filters tested should not be considered for this application because they cannot meet the minimum efficiency criterios of 99.99% for all diameter particles; (3) in contrast, glass fiber filters meet the prerequisite efficiency criterion and do not suffer from rapid plugging by wet aerosols or water. Glass fiber filters are therefore recommended for further qualification testing as venting filters in TRUPACT-I. 7 refs., 24 figs., 2 tabs