Nanofiber Filter Technology

1
Nanofiber Filter Technology

• Derek L. Balchuck
• MEEN 3344
• Spring 2009

2
Likely Filter Materials

• Cellulose for the base material
• Alumina powder with glass fibers bonded at 100C
• Polyvinyl-alcohol
• Polyvinylidene Chloride
• Polyvinylidene Fluoride
• Polyvinylidene Halide
• Melamine-formaldehyde as resin

3
Fabrication of Filters

• The base material is made from a web of cellulose
  
• The cellulose web has the ability to retain a
  rigid shape
• The nanofibers are then applied by
  electrospinning the desired material to the
  cellulose layers.
• Resin is applied, most likely immediately before
  the nanofiber material leaves the pipette.
• Forming various layers of nanofibers, cellulose
  and other materials result in a stepped
  filtration device
• Note 1 the nanofibers are less than 200
  nanometers in diameter
• Note 2 Even though the gap between the
  nanofibers is greater than the particles size,
  the filter can still filter out that particle

4
Benefits

• High volume filtration efficiency in air or
  fluids
• The filter is not made of paper so when moisture
  is present, the filter does not absorb the
  condensation.
• Holds-up to sand and salt
• In a relatively dry atmosphere, the maximum
  operating temperature is 250ºF.

5
Applications

• Military sand, salt, water, high temperatures
  and radioactive materials (pre-filter for the
  HEPA filters)
• Marine and liquids condensation in the air flow
  and ultra fine dust particles (for engines),
  filter out particulates in the water or other
  various liquids
• Industrial, Agricultural and Off-road vehicles
  high volumes of sand, dirt, salt and high
  temperatures
• After treatment compatible particulate filters
  found on post January 1, 2007 will plug-up when
  using a wet gauze filter, charged with oil (KN)

6
Disadvantages

• The nanofiber material will tear easily.
• The nanofiber filters cost more than the typical
  paper filter, due to the additional manufacturing
  processes.
• Maximum temperature sustained with the humidity
  above 90 is only 100ºF.

7
Sources

• http//www.donaldson.com/en/filtermedia/support/da
  talibrary/052023.pdf
• http//www.donaldson.com/en/filtermedia/support/da
  talibrary/052025.pdf
• http//www.google.com/patents?idD0ESAAAAEBAJpgP
  A6dqdonaldsonnanoairfiltersourcegbs_selecte
  d_pagescad1_1PPA1,M1