The HEPA filter is mainly used to collect particulate dust and various suspended matters above 0.5um, as the end filter of various filtration systems. Ultra-fine glass fiber paper is used as filter material, plastic paper, aluminum foil and other materials are folded as a dividing plate, and a new polyurethane sealant is used for sealing. It is made of galvanized sheet, stainless steel sheet, and aluminum alloy profile as the outer frame.
In the pharmaceutical industry, high-efficiency filters (HEPA) are used as final filters for the treatment and filtration of space air. Sterile production requires the use of high-efficiency filters, and the production of solid and semi-solid dosage forms is sometimes used.
So, what should you pay attention to when installing high efficiency filters? How often should the high efficiency filter be replaced?
Today, the editor will bring you answers to these questions.
Main features of high efficiency filters
1. High filtration accuracy.
The removal rate of suspended matter in water can reach more than 95%, and it has a certain removal effect on impurities such as macromolecular organic matter, viruses, bacteria, colloids, iron, etc. The treated water after good coagulation treatment, when the inlet water is 10NTU, The effluent is below 1NTU.
2. Fast filtering speed.
It is generally 40m/h, up to 60m/h, which is more than 3 times that of ordinary sand filters.
3. Large amount of pollutants.
Generally, it is 15-35kg/m3, which is more than 4 times that of ordinary sand filters.
4. Low water consumption rate for backwashing.
The water consumption of backwashing is less than 1-2% of the periodical water filtration.
5. Low dosage and low running cost.
Due to the characteristics of the filter bed structure and the filter material itself, the dosage of flocculant is 1/2 to 1/3 of the conventional technology. With the increase of the periodical water production, the operating cost per ton of water will also decrease.
6. Small footprint.
Make the same amount of water, covering an area less than 1/3 of the ordinary sand filter.
7. Strong adjustability.
Parameters such as filtration accuracy, dirt interception capacity and filtration resistance can be adjusted as required.
8. The filter material is durable and has a life span of more than 20 years.
Installation requirements for high efficiency filters
The installation of high-efficiency filters is the key to the installation and purification of air-conditioning systems and clean rooms. The following points should be noted:
1. Clean before installation.
2. The system should be blown clean.
3. The cleaning workshop should be cleaned again. If you use a vacuum cleaner to vacuum, you can't use ordinary vacuum cleaners. You must use a vacuum cleaner equipped with ultra-clean filter bags.
4. If installed in the ceiling, the ceiling should be cleaned.
5. After the trial operation system reaches 12h, clean the clean workshop again before installing the high-efficiency filter.
Introduction to leak detection of high efficiency filter
Commonly used instruments for high efficiency filter leak detection are: dust particle counter and 5C aerosol generator.
Dust particle counter
It is used to measure the size and number of dust particles in a unit volume of air in a clean environment, and can directly detect clean environments with a cleanliness level of ten to three hundred thousand.
Small size, light weight, high detection accuracy, simple and clear function operation, microprocessor control, can store and print measurement results, it is very convenient to test clean environment.
5C aerosol generator
The TDA-5C aerosol generator can produce aerosol particles with a variety of uniform diameter distributions. The TDA-5C aerosol generator can provide enough challenge particles when used with TDA-2G or TDA-2H aerosol photometers. Measuring high-efficiency filtration system.
The detection of domestic high-efficiency air filters is mainly based on GB/T13554-2008 "High-efficiency Air Filter", GB/T14295-2008 "Air Filter", JB/T6417-1992 "Air Conditioner Air Filter", GB/T6165-2008. High efficiency air filter performance test method. Filtration efficiency and resistance".
How often should the high efficiency filter be replaced?
In the relevant GMP guidelines, there is no specific value for the useful life of high-efficiency filters.
According to the requirements of GMP, there must be no leakage of the filter, which needs to pass the confirmation and regularly perform the leak test in ISO1464-3, which is necessary for the sterile workshop.
According to the technical interpretation of Appendix 1 (PIC/SP032-2), the leak test is conducted every 6 months for A/B level and 12 months for C/D level.
The FDA sterility guidelines require periodic inspections. The requirements of Appendix 1 also apply here.
Leakage can be repaired, but the repaired area cannot exceed 0.5% of the area of a single filter.
From a practical point of view, we can say that the maximum service life depends directly on the pressure difference between upstream and downstream. Only when the pressure difference between the upstream and downstream reaches a fixed value affects the performance of the ventilation system, or the energy demand exceeds the cost of filter replacement, filter replacement is meaningful.
However, the filter must pass the leak test. In fact, many companies will not use a filter for more than 8 years.
As mentioned above, there are no regulations that specify such values, which are only based on experience.
Replacing the high-efficiency filter is necessary according to the air volume and leak detection during air-conditioning verification, but at the same time, the longest life cycle of the specific high-efficiency filter should be worked out, so there should still be a regular concept. At the same time, filter integrity tests must be conducted regularly.
High-efficiency filter leak detection can generally use a dust particle counter in non-critical areas, but the A-level clean area high-efficiency filter is not recommended to use a dust particle counter to scan for leak detection.