Comparative analysis of high efficiency filter papers for personal respiratory protection

The article is devoted to the topic of determining the quality indicators of fiberglass filter materials of the HEPA and ULPA groups for use in personal respiratory protective equipment (PRPE). The paper raises the problem of the lack of manufacture of domestic fiberglass materials. Issues such as the development of domestic fiberglass materials of HEPA, ULPA classes and the need to develop methods for checking the quality of fiberglass material correlating with European ones, training and equipping laboratories for technical control of manufacture were also touched upon. The anti-aerosol filtering properties of fiberglass materials are of interest on the international market and determine a wide range of applications of filter materials. The goal of the presented work is to study the foreign market of filter materials based on fiberglass, to analyze samples of foreign filter materials as a prerequisite for the creation of domestic fiberglass materials and to determine the optimal parameters of the quality indicators of fiberglass materials when used in PRPE. As developers of PRPE, it was interesting for us to choose the optimal variant of the filter material with certain mechanical characteristics, the lowest resistance to air flow and permissible values of the penetration coefficient, focusing on the norms regulated in the technical conditions for industrial PRPE and GOST 12.4.246-2016 for the class of anti-aerosol protection P3. Within the framework of this work, four imported samples were studied. A sample of the brand NERN 1401 with a purification class H14 and filtration efficiency ≥ 99.995% is manufactured in Italy at the production of AhlstromS.p.A. Samples of the brands HB 5593, HB 5793 with a purification class of H13 and a filtration efficiency of ≥ 99.95% and with a purification class of H12 and a filtration efficiency of ≥ 99.5%, respectively, are manufactured in Germany at Hollingsworth&Vose. The sample of the brand C-14 HP with a purification class of H14 and filtration efficiency ≥ 99.995% is manufactured in China, the material is manufactured at ZISUN. The tested samples are mass-produced filter materials from manufacturers. The studied filter materials are widely used in the fields of application of fiberglass materials. According to the test results, it was determined that all the samples studied correspond to the efficiency class declared by the manufacturer. All the materials studied can be used as a basis for the manufacture of a filter element in particle filters, have the ability to corrugate and anti-aerosol protective properties. According to the test results, the level of quality values of the filter material suitable for use in PRPE was determined. The ability to elongate under stretching, strength affect the processes of corrugation and sealing of the anti-aerosol work piece with melt adhesive, and also ensure the quality of the product at a wide temperature range of operation. The smallest thickness of the material allows getting a product with a larger filtration area.

1. Dubovyj V.K. Sily svyazi v bumage iz rastitel'nyh i mineral'nyh volokon [Binding forces in vegetable and mineral fiber paper]. IVUZ. Lesnoi zhurnal, 2005, no. 4, pp. 116–124. (In Russ.)

2. Flyate D.M. Tekhnologiya bumagi [Paper technology]. M.: Lesn. prom-st', 1988. 562 p. (In Russ.)

3. Petryanov I.V. Lepestok (Legkie respiratory) [Petal, lightweight respirator]. M.: Nauka, 1984. 216 p. (In Russ.)