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BULLETIN
FAQ: HEPA & ULPA
Air Filters
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Sofilair and Megalam Green panels are Camfil Farrs latest HEPA filters that now
include plastic frames to adress sustainability.
TECHNICAL BULLETIN
HEPA & ULPA Air Filters
What is the gel seal filter life
expectancy?
Both urethane and silicone gels are
acceptable for the Life Sciences
Industry applications. When using Gel
we recommend a specific grade of
Silicone gel, it is recommended for
Life Science industry applications.
Undisturbed gel will last the life of
the filter. Camfil Farr has carried out
multiple studies how the common
decon and cleaning agents such as
VHP, Formaldehyde, Chlorine Dioxide,
Spor-Klenz & Vaprox etc has affected
urethane & silicone gel. Historically,
some HEPA filter manufacturers used
certain formulations of silicone gel
that, over time, can break down in the
field. Detailed reports are available on
request. Specifying the correct type of
gel is as critical as the filter efficiency
and pressure drop requirements.
What aerosol should I use when
testing HEPA Filters?
Polystyrene latex spheres (PSL) are
most commonly used in microelectronic
applications, PAO in Life Sciences.
Related definitions; Aerosol: a gaseous
suspension of fine solid or liquid
particles. Challenge Aerosol: an aerosol
derived from the selected source
material and used as the leak test
challenge for filter medium testing.
What is bleed-through?
What is MPPS?
MPPS; Most Penetrating Particle Size.
MPPS is typically between 0.1 and 0.2
micron. It will vary with velocity but at
normal design for a terminal filter this
range is accurate 80% of the time with
a H14 filter at 90 fpm/0.45m/s it is
0.17/0.18 micron. The MPPS is always
identified in Camfil Farrs factory scan
test and noted on the HEPA filter label.
DOP, liquid
Di-octyl phthalate
PAO, liquid
Poly-alpha olefin
PSL
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TECHNICAL BULLETIN
HEPA & ULPA Air Filters
What is a leak?
A leak is local, but efficiency is global! A
leak is generally 5-10 times the average
penetration at a specific local point.
Local Leak is = 0.01% of penetration.
Global (also known as Overall or
Volumetric test) is 0.01% (0.005% is
utilized by some end users when testing
with photometers).
Five times MPPS is the volumetric
acceptance criteria when testing with a
discrete particle counter.
What is the difference between
local and global (overall or
volumetric) efficiency?
Efficiency is the measure of the entire
filter product and is the average of
variations in the performance of the
media.
The local leak is the measurement
under a probe (scan head) that scans
for the possible defects, not local
variations.
Useful technical guides recently published by Camfil Farr available from www.camfilfarr.com
EN1822 PART 5
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TECHNICAL BULLETIN
HEPA & ULPA Air Filters
What type of filter media is used in
a HEPA Filter?
Glass fiber is the industry standard.
Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE)
membrane media is also available
and is commonly used in the
microelectronics industry where
specific outgassing demands may be a
concern.
Leaks are identified through a prescribed procedure, marked for repair and repaired.
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