Dust loading characteristics of high inertial fibrous filters.

The dust retention efficiency of a model fibrous filter operated in the high inertia regime has been measured over the size range 2-22 micrometer. The results of a program to measure the influence of loading on grade efficiency are reported. It is shown that the efficiency of particle retention increases with loading initially, then falls off as the filter becomes loaded to its maximum capacity. The effect of test dust feed size distribution has also been investigated. Under some circumstances this parameter may have a critical effect on the overall efficiency. The mechanisms responsible for the observed behavior are described and their implications in fibrous filtration discussed.