Airblog

High Efficiency Bag Filters are designed and manufactured to offer a high level of air quality in heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems. These bag filters are most commonly utilised on supply air systems for swimming pools, offices, hospitals and hotels, filtering fine dust particles, carbon blacks, mould spores and airborne bacteria.

Airclean’s HVAC Multi Pocket Bag Filters are manufactured from Synthetic Medias with a high dust holding capacity offered by continuously welded pocket spacers ensuring even bag inflation. The pockets are supported and held in place by a welded wire frame, surrounded by a galvanised steel header frame for easy installation.

When making a selection for a High Performance Bag filter rated air flows must be closely considered, as an “Under Aired” Bag Filter will not inflate correctly resulting in excessive resistance and poor filtration. Rated air flows for Airclean’s Bag Filters are available on the main website for all standard air filters, however if a non standard size is required the technical team are on hand to offer you support.

Click here to read the Airclean High Performance Bag Filter Data Sheet.

The recent eruption of the Eyjafjallajokull Volcano in Iceland has left aircraft grounded across Europe over fears that particulates in the ash cloud could damage aircraft engines. As increasing evidence is found of this ash now falling to earth, the World Health Organisation has now warned people with breathing difficulties to remain indoors.

Over the last few days we have now received concerns from customers who are worried about their air movement equipment in offices, data centres, and leisure complexes. If there is an increase in airbourne particulates it is likely that they will be drawn into air conditioning systems and could pose issues for coils, fans, heat recovery heat transfers, and other fragile components.

Most Supply Air Systems have two levels of filtration ensuring a breathable quality of air is achieved. Pre filters such as G3 Glass Panels filters, or G4 Pleated Panel Filters are used to remove large particulates, and secondary filtration is commonly achieved by High Performance Bag Filters, which remove finer particulates.

The majority of any airborne ash particulate being drawn into an air supply system should be captured by the pre filters with any residual particles being collected by the secondary filters. If there is a significant increase in airborne particulate, air filter life could drastically reduce resulting in loss of airflow, or additional strain on the fan resulting in reduced energy efficiency.

To our clients we advising not to be too concerned at present, but should the volcanic eruption continue for a significant period of time, or if the evidence of falling ash particles continues to increase, you may need to make a filter change sooner than your regular maintenance. To be able to monitor filter performance you may find fitting a magnehelic gauge or an inclined manometer may help.

For more advice or to discuss an emergency filter change, please contact us.

The DW172 is The HVCA specification for Kitchen Ventilation Systems. This standard includes industry standard guidelines for the design of Kitchen Ventilation systems, including Supply Air, Canopy Design, Grease Filtration, Smoke and Odour Nuiscance Control, and extract discharge.

For Primary Grease filtration the DW172 suggests that Baffle Style Grease Filters should be installed in the canopy to benefit from their easy clean style, high grease removal efficiency, and also their fire / flame protection properties. As a secondary filter, a mesh style grease filter can be installed after the baffle to offer further grease removal.

This has left the classic Mesh Style Grease Filter by the wayside in new kitchen extract systems and to meet this demand in the market, Airclean manufacture a stylish and robust Stainless Steel Baffle Filter.

Despite this, sales of mesh filters are still consistent, and Airclean are still manufacturing these to meet demand. So why is this?

Stainless Steel Baffle Filters are commonly not effective when retro fitted into older systems which have been designed using the classic Mesh Type Grease Filters. This can present many problems in the Kitchen, and in the Kitchen Extract System.

A Stainless Steel Baffle Filter has a significantly higher resistance to airflow over the Mesh Style Grease Filter (30Pa in Mesh, 80-125Pa in Baffles). When retro fitted this can cause a significant loss of airflow leaving users with poorly ventilated kitchen, and hot chefs. Worse still this simple filter change can result in fan failures due to the increased resistance.

For effective grease removal (90% efficiency) with a Baffle Grease Filter the correct face velocity must be achieved across the filter. When like for like sized, and numbers of baffle filters are retro fitted in to a canopy, it is common that the required air speed is not achieved and the filters efficiency is greatly reduced. This results in excessive grease carry over, increasing fire risks, breakdowns, and the need for costly duct cleaning.

For these reasons Airclean recommend that when replacing Mesh Grease Filters for Stainless Steel Baffle Filters, a complete system re design should be investigated before suffering the effects of poor grease filtration. If this is not possible then like for like mesh style grease filters should be installed, possibly with the consideration of the more hard wearing Stainless Steel Mesh Grease Filters.

So we expect the demand Baffle Grease Filters to continue to increase, and the Mesh style eventually decrease. But for the time being we continue to offer both these products and offer advice for the right selection for your installation or replacement needs.

P.S. Don’t forget, for a more durable Mesh Grease Filter, Airclean offer a Stainless Steel Grid Mesh Grease Filter.

For Grease Filter Sales e mail sales@airclean.co.uk
or call 01622 832777 for advice and sales.

This years BIG Easter Competition has now come to an end, and our small cuddly friend has got a new name and a new home. The response from our customer base was far higher than we could have ever expected, and some of the name suggestions were fantastic. We would like to thank all who entered, and we wish the now, Mrs Quackleberry, good luck in her new home.

For all those who did enter, a small consolation prize should be winging its way to you in the post.