AES ENVIRONMENTAL AIR FILTER TESTING
AES Environmental established its first NATA test facility as Vokes Australia, at Rockdale NSW in the late 1960’s for liquid/air filtration. AES Environmental became a founding member of the first Australian Standard AS1132 1973, for methods of test with specifications for test apparatus for determining properties of air filters. This standard is today referred to as AS1324.
AES Environmental offers Air Filter Testing Services within its purpose-built rig to validate those products that are offered to the market. Validating the performance of any filter product is essential to ensure that the product does what it is supposed to and that it doesn’t contribute negatively to indoor air quality (IAQ) in the process.
Our engineering team is constantly testing and validating the products we produce; this is the data that is published on our literature on this very site. We also routinely complete air filter testing and validation services for large multi-national organisations that wish to verify compliance to AS 1324.
AS1324 – AIR FILTER TESTING STANDARD
AS 1324 sets out specific requirements for the performance and construction of air filters for use in general ventilation and air conditioning systems. The Standard classifies air filters on the basis of
design, construction, performance and application, and establishes minimum criteria for acceptance of an air filter into a particular category.
NATA Certified Testing Capabilities
NATA certification holds paramount importance as it signifies that our testing processes are independently verified and comply with the highest national and international standards. This certification instills confidence in our customers, assuring them that our air filters undergo rigorous and accurate assessments, providing reliable performance in diverse environmental conditions. Trust in our NATA-certified test rig, backed by our commitment to excellence. Our Test Facilities is open to other organisations, including Air Filter Manufacturers and End-Users who may wish to certify their products or run comparative analysis to the Australian Standards.
AS 4260 – HEPA Filter Test Standard
AS 4260 is an Australian Standard that is referenced within AS 1668, general ventilation standards, and other guidelines such as the NSW Engineering Services Guide. AS 4260 defines the construction methods, the labelling and performance criteria and classification of HEPA filters. There are a few different methods for achieving compliance with AS 4260. One such method, and our preferred option, is by utilising a Sodium Flame test rig in accordance with BS 3928. The sodium flame test rig uses an alternative salt solution in comparison with the methylene blue crystals, that are utilised within the AS 1324 test rig for determining filtration efficiency, and the test does not have an effect on the performance of the filter unlike alternative test methods.
DOP testing in accordance with AS 1807 is also performed within the factory, and on each HEPA produced, although this test is usually always performed again on-site after installation. Cold DOP testing is an ideal method of searching for leaks or faults during the manufacturing process.
Particulate Testing is another method that we use to validate the performance of HEPA filters, most often on-site within cleanrooms and clean work installations.
Filter Categories
A filter’s efficiency rating is its defined category. This rating describes the relationship between particles retained or trapped by the filter to the number of particles entering the filter.
The category that a filter is placed in to is defined by a number of tests, those tests use different types of dusts.
Test Dust 4 is used to determine the filters Gravimetric Efficiency, or Arrestance against a course test dust. The dust is fed at a specific rate over the course of a period of time to determine the average arrestance and total dust holding capacity
Test Dust 1 is used to determine the efficiency of the filter against a fine test dust. As with the gravimetric tests, the dust is fed over a period of time that aims to simulate the air filters total life cycle.
AIR FILTER TEST DUSTS
Test Dust 1 is a Methylene Blue Powder includes particles in the range 0.2 μm to 3 μm diameter and has a mass median diameter of 0.6 μm
Test Dust 4 is a composite dust consisting of 72% by mass of Standardized air cleaner test dust fine, 23% by mass of ‘Molocco black’, 5% by mass of No. 7 cotton linters.
The various components of Test Dust No. 4
(a) Cotton linters 5%.
(b) Molocco black 23% with average particle size of 0.8 μm.
(c) Standardized air cleaner fine 72% with 39% 0 to 5 μm.
18% 5 to 10 μm.
16% 10 to 20 μm.
18% 20 to 40 μm.
and 9% 40 to 80 μm..
Sodium Chloride generated as a ‘test cloud’ is composed of sodium chloride particles mainly within the size range 0.02 μm to 2 μm equivalent diameter. This test cloud serves as a replacement for the methylene blue test for filters with less than 0.01% penetration and as an alternative for filters with 0.01% to 100% methylene blue penetration, while considering differences in particle size distribution and potential clogging issues associated with the methylene blue test, ensuring almost identical results for filters with penetration above 0.1%.
BUT WHY?
The three performance characteristics of greatest interest to users and manufacturers of air cleaning equipment are the ability of the equipment to remove particulates from the air stream, the resistance to airflow, and the dust holding capacity before cleaning or replacement is required. – AS 1324.2
In order to select the right filter for any application it’s crucial to have some understanding of the expected performance of that product. That is to understand what the filtration efficiency will be vs the resistance to air flow vs expected life. An Air Filter might seem as though it’s a relatively inexpensive product, but in operation an air filter can become very expensive if incorrect selection has occurred. Furthermore, we want to be able to specify filters suitable for their applications, for instance we need to have good quality air in commercial buildings, but we don’t need those areas to meet the same exacting standards as an operating theatre. By understanding how our filters perform and the particles that we are targeting then we can determine the correct filter for the application.
PARTICLES AND RELATIVE MICRON SIZE
Particles are generated or become airborne with everyday human, commercial and industrial activity. In the post-pandemic environment, this has become a significant issue to protect individuals and keep everyone safe when at home, work or in the greater community.
Airborne particles are generally measured in microns (millionths of a meter) and vary in size depending on the source. A strand of human hair, which is considered between 50 and 150 microns, is a good reference point when considering the relative size of large and small airborne particles.
Why be concerned about the size of the above particles?
| Common Particles | Size |
|---|---|
| Human Hair | 50-150 microns |
| Household dust and lint | 0.01-100 microns |
| Pollen | 10-110 microns |
| Mould | 1-50 microns |
| Pet dander | 0.1-10 microns |
| Tobacco Smoke or Soot | 0.01-1 micron |
| Viruses and Bacteria | 0.001-10 microns |
HOW DO OUR STANDARDS COMPARE ?
Our AS 1324 Standards are comparable to overseas standards, EN779, ASHRAE and ISO 16890. Test methods vary as do definitions, classification and terminology however the outcome is largely similar. The Australian Standards AS 1324 do define some stringent criteria associated with the construction of the filter and other performance requirements; AS 1324 specifies that no filter can contain hazardous materials and it also requires filters to meet fire classification standards, this is above the requirements of other standards.
The Filter Efficiency Table helps to demonstrate the cross reference of 1324, EU and Merv ratings.
FILTER EFFICIENCY TABLE
The Australian Standards defines efficiency of the filter through loading the filter with a salt-based “test-dust” called Methylene Blue. This test-dust travels through the filter and stains papers downstream, the staining is assessed by photometers to determine the efficiency of the filter. In ISO 16890 the salt-based “test-dust”, KCI, is fed through the filter and particle counters are used to assess the mass concentration of particles that made it through, effectively determining the filtration efficiency.
ISO16890 allows filters to be classified against known PM (Fine Particulate Matter). The classification of filters to a known PM will help industry to effectively evaluate indoor air conditions in the future.
AS1324 identifies additional test methods for carry-over, or the shedding of particles and oils from the filter prior to testing.
CAN FILTERS SHED PARTICLES?
Yes, they can. AS 1324 has a method of determining shedding under test conditions and it has been an effective tool, yet it is an older method and more emerging technologies are becoming available. There has been a lot of research conducted in this area, some filter materials are known to shed harmful fibers downstream and this limits their use to expressly industrial applications. While AS 1324 made some inroads to determining shedding
Shedding, particle bounce, release of fibre particulate matter, is not adequately addressed and only recognised as a concern, in ISO16890. There is no requirement for suppliers to report the impact of shedding when subject to poor handling, temperature, and humidity. Suppliers offer little or no guidance on materials of construction especially when using fibre glass resins applied to bind the micro glass fibre. If products are manufactured using carcinogenic material then this has to be clearly labelled so users can be aware and manage the risk.
This is one field of research that AES Environmental is currently actively engaged in, working in partnership with UTS.