Evaluation of Alternative HVAC Filters: Effect on Flow Rate, Capital Expense, Maintenance Costs, and Energy Consumption Considerations

Details

• Personal Author:
  Berardinelli, Stephen P. Jr. ; Fotta, Steven ; Hayes J ; Jensen P ; Moyer E
• Description:
  The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) has undertaken a study to evaluate the characteristics of selected HVAC systems. This particular phase of the study looked at the flow rate through various inlet bag filters, their initial cost, and maintenance considerations including change out recomrnendations and energy considerations. Originally, three different filter types were located in the evaluated air handler. The three filter types included a 6-bag, a 12-bag, and a pleated V-panel design. Air velocities ranged from 205 to 1,090 feet per minute, depending on filter type. These air handlers held 32 24"x24" filter assemblies. Air velocities were inversely correlated with resistance across the filter media. When all the filters were replaced with new pleated V-panel design filters, which had the lowest resistance, a reduction in flow velocity through each V-bank filter was measured. A significant reduction in energy consumption was noted in this variable air-volume system with a variable frequency drive motor. The added benefits of reduced maintenance and extended filter lifetime was addressed. Although the initial cost of the pleated V-panel filters is higher than that for 6- or 12-bag filters, the overall facilities overhead costs might be reduced since the service life of these filters is stated to be twice that of the bag filters. Further, the pleated V-panel filters are more efficient over their lifetime; hence, the build up of material in the building and on the HVAC coils from recirculated air should produce additional savings in maintenance and energy costs. [Description provided by NIOSH]
• Subjects:
  Air Pollutants, Occupational Environmental Monitoring Filtration Occupational Health Safety Ventilation
• Keywords:
  Air-filters Air-monitoring Filter-materials Filters Ventilation-equipment Ventilation-systems
• Publisher:
  American Industrial Hygiene Association
• Document Type:
  Text
• Genre:
  Abstract or Summary
• Place as Subject:
  California ; OSHA Region 3 ; OSHA Region 9 ; West Virginia
• CIO:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
• Division:
  DRDS - Division of Respiratory Disease Studies ; OD - Office of the Director
• Topic:
  Workplace Safety & Health
• Location:
  North America
• NIOSHTIC Number:
  nn:20022567
• Citation:
  American Industrial Hygiene Conference and Exposition, June 1-6, 2002, San Diego, California. Fairfax, VA: American Industrial Hygiene Association, 2002 Jun; :101
• Federal Fiscal Year:
  2002
• NORA Priority Area:
  Research Tools and Approaches: Control Technology and Personal Protective Equipment
• Peer Reviewed:
  False
• Source Full Name:
  American Industrial Hygiene Conference and Exposition, June 1-6, 2002, San Diego, California
• Collection(s):
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:5ade8eeb72547ca0e3ef843ce6810f4fc61e9eb85396fc2922728e3e8e02553ed4c655daa533301889c98feaae6ce3f1cec5b2729d67c0d2408648c2c3a6c19a
• Download URL:
  https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/199304/cdc_199304_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 482.00 KB ]