RECENT ADVANCES IN THE UNDERSTANDING OF FIBROUS RIDER BEHAVIOR UNDER SOLID PARTICLE LOAD

Fibrous filters are a well established technology for the removal of f ine particulates (<10 mu m) from gas flows at high efficiency and low pressure drop. The behaviour of these materials in their clean state i s well understood, but their behaviour as they become loaded with part iculates has received surprisingly little attention; especially when o ne considers that a fibrous filter is in its clean state for only the tiniest fraction of its lifetime. At the Loughborough University of Te chnology a number of projects have been, and are being, undertaken whe re the dynamic characteristics of fibrous filters are studied. The pap er reports on recent advances in this field made at Loughborough, and elsewhere, and suggests some further studies required.