OPTIMIZATION OF PLEATED FILTER DESIGNS USING A FINITE-ELEMENT NUMERICAL-MODEL

A numerical model has been developed to optimize the design of pleated filter panels. In this model, the fluid how is modeled by a steady la minar flow and the filter media resistance is governed by the Darcy-La pwood-Brinkman equation. A finite element method with a nine-node Lagr angian element is used to solve the governing equations. For the recta ngularly pleated filters, panel, the numerical results agree well with the analytical model of Yu and Goulding (1992) and with his experimen tal data. The pressure drop increases at small pleat count due to incr eased media face velocity, and at large pleat count due to increased v iscous drag in the pleat spacings. Therefore, an optimal pleat count f or minimum pressure drop exists at a certain pleat height for each fil ter media type. The optimization of rectangular pleated filters, e.g., mini-pleated filter panels, has been performed for six commercial Alt er media. The optimal pleat count is shown to increase with decreasing media permeability of the filter media. A generalized correlation cur ve has been found for the six filter media by using a nondimensional p arameter analysis. The results can be used to design pleated filter pa nels with minimum pressure drop.