Filter Clogging by Bimodal Aerosol

Pressure drop evolution during filtration of bimodal aerosol was studied experimentally. A low-pressure drop pre-filter upstream of the actual collection filter was demonstrated to significantly reduce the pressure drop growth rate, when the aerosol is dominated by coarse particles. The pressure drop evolution during depth-filtration, that took place mainly in a pre-filter, could be predicted by adding up the separately measured contributions from the unimodal fine and coarse aerosols. However, the cake filtration (pre-filter was not used) of coarse particles alone resulted in a faster clogging rate as compared to the same amount of coarse particles accompanied with fine particles (mass ratio coarse:fine 3:1). Apparently, fine particles deposited on coarse particles affect their surface properties and thus the porosity of the cake formed.