Optimization of Processing Parameters for Particle Filtration Efficiency of Polypropylene Melt-blown Fabric

Abstract As a result of the current COVID-19 pandemic, the use of facemasks has become commonplace. The performance of medical facemasks is assessed using Bacterial Filtration Efficiency (BFE) tests. However, as BFE tests, require specific expertise and equipment and are time-consuming, the performance of non-medical facemasks is assessed with non-biological Particle Filtration Efficiency (PFE) tests which are comparatively easier to implement. It is necessary to better understand the possible correlations between BFE and PFE to be able to compare the performances of the different types of masks (medical vs. non-medical). In this study BFE results obtained in accordance with the standard EN 14683 are compared to the results of PFE from a reference test protocol defined by AFNOR SPEC S76-001 with the aim to determine if BFE could be predicted from PFE. Our results showed a correlation between PFE and BFE. It was also observed that PFE values were higher than BFE and this was attributed to the difference in particle size distribution considered for efficiency calculation. In order to properly compare these test protocols for a better deduction, it would be interesting to compare the filtration efficiency for a similar granulometric range.

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A mathematical model to predict the effect of electrospinning processing parameters on the morphological characteristic of nano-fibrous web and associated filtration efficiency

Journal of Aerosol Science ◽

10.1016/j.jaerosci.2017.08.013 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 113 ◽

pp. 227-241 ◽

Cited By ~ 13

Author(s):

Nagham Ismail ◽

Fouad Junior Maksoud ◽

Nesreen Ghaddar ◽

Kamel Ghali ◽

Ali Tehrani-Bagha

Keyword(s):

Mathematical Model ◽

Morphological Characteristic ◽

Processing Parameters ◽

Filtration Efficiency

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Microwave structured polyamide-6 nanofiber/net membrane with embedded poly(m-phenylene isophthalamide) staple fibers for effective ultrafine particle filtration

Journal of Materials Chemistry A ◽

10.1039/c6ta00977h ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 4 (16) ◽

pp. 6149-6157 ◽

Cited By ~ 87

Author(s):

Shichao Zhang ◽

Hui Liu ◽

Jianyong Yu ◽

Wenjing Luo ◽

Bin Ding

Keyword(s):

Pressure Drop ◽

Ultrafine Particle ◽

Polyamide 6 ◽

Low Pressure ◽

Filtration Efficiency ◽

Airborne Particles ◽

Particle Filtration

Microwave structured PA-6/PMIA NFN membrane can filter airborne particles with high filtration efficiency, low pressure drop, and large dust-holding capacity.

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Effect of Temperature on the Structure and Filtration Performance of Polypropylene Melt-Blown Nonwovens

Autex Research Journal ◽

10.2478/aut-2019-0067 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 0 (0) ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Si Cheng ◽

Alam S. M. Muhaiminul ◽

Zhonghua Yue ◽

Yan Wang ◽

Yuanxiang Xiao ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Pressure Drop ◽

Pore Size ◽

Fiber Diameter ◽

Temperature Treatment ◽

Filtration Efficiency ◽

Effect Of Temperature ◽

Filtration Performance ◽

Different Temperatures ◽

Polypropylene Melt ◽

Filtration Properties

AbstractBy applying the simultaneous corona-temperature treatment, the effect of electret temperature on the structure and filtration properties of melt-blown nonwovens was investigated. Fiber diameter, pore size, thickness, areal weight, porosity, crystallinity, filtration efficiency, and pressure drop were evaluated. The results demonstrated that some changes occurred in the structure of electret fabrics after treatment under different temperatures. In the range of 20°C~105°C, the filtration efficiency of melt-blown nonwovens has a relationship with the change in crystallinity, and the pressure drop increased because of the change in areal weight and porosity. This work may provide a reference for further improving filtration efficiency of melt-blown nonwovens.

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Screening of core filter layer for the development of respiratory mask to combat COVID-19

Scientific Reports ◽

10.1038/s41598-021-89503-x ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Lokesh K. Pandey ◽

Virendra V. Singh ◽

Pushpendra K. Sharma ◽

Damayanti Meher ◽

Utpal Biswas ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Pressure Drop ◽

Filtration Efficiency ◽

Double Layers ◽

Bet Surface Area ◽

Structural Morphology ◽

Breathing Resistance ◽

Polypropylene Melt ◽

The Right ◽

Filter Layer ◽

Selection Of

AbstractThe severe outbreak of respiratory coronavirus disease 2019 has increased the significant demand of respiratory mask and its use become ubiquitous worldwide to control this unprecedented respiratory pandemic. The performance of a respiratory mask depends on the efficiency of the filter layer which is mostly made of polypropylene melt blown non-woven (PP-MB-NW). So far, very limited characterization data are available for the PPE-MB-NW in terms to achieve desired particulate filtration efficiency (PFE) against 0.3 µm size, which are imperative in order to facilitate the right selection of PP-MB-NW fabric for the development of mask. In present study, eight different kinds of PP-MB-NW fabrics (Sample A–H) of varied structural morphology are chosen. The different PP-MB-NW were characterized for its pore size and distribution by mercury porosimeter and BET surface area analyzer was explored first time to understand the importance of blind pore in PFE. The PP-MB-NW samples were characterized using scanning electron microscopy so as to know the surface morphology. The filtration efficiency, pressure drop and breathing resistance of various PP-MB-NW fabric samples are investigated in single and double layers combination against the particle size of 0.3, 0.5 and 1 µm. The samples which are having low pore dia, high solid fraction volume, and low air permeability has high filtration efficiency (> 90%) against 0.3 µm particle with high pressure drop (16.3–21.3 mm WC) and breathing resistance (1.42–1.92 mbar) when compared to rest of the samples. This study will pave the way for the judicial selection of right kind of filter layer i.e., PP-MB-NW fabric for the development of mask and it will be greatly helpful in manufacturing of mask in this present pandemic with desired PFE indicating considerable promise for defense against respiratory pandemic.

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Assessment of Fabric Masks as Alternatives to Standard Surgical Masks in Terms of Particle Filtration Efficiency

10.1101/2020.04.17.20069567 ◽

2020 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

Amy Mueller ◽

Loretta Fernandez

Keyword(s):

Health Care Providers ◽

Ambient Air ◽

Filtration Efficiency ◽

Airborne Particles ◽

Particle Removal ◽

Breathing Zone ◽

Care Providers ◽

Particle Filtration ◽

Surgical Masks ◽

Mask Design

AbstractIn response to the critical shortage of medical masks resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic, large portions of the population are mobilizing to produce cloth masks using locally-sourced fabrics, however the efficacy of these masks as a means of protecting the wearer from airborne particles carrying virus is not well known. Further, existing protocols are designed for testing the fit and performance N95 respirators and tight-fitting facemasks rather than the relatively more loose-fitting surgical mask style most cloth masks follow. In this study tools and methods typically used to assess tight-fitting facemasks were modified to assess the efficacy of community-produced fabric and commercially-produced surgical masks in terms of protecting the wearer from airborne particles that may be carrying virus. Two TSI PortaCount (model 8028) instruments were operated concurrently to collect particle counts (particles/cm3) in size range 0.02 to >1 µm from ambient air and air just inside the breathing zone of the mask (1 measurement per second, evaluation period of 1 minute per test). Percent particle removal was determined for ten home-made, fabric masks of different designs, with and without filter layers, as well as three commercially-produced surgical-type masks. N95 masks were used to validate the method, and a 3M model 1826 surgical mask was used as a baseline for comparison of other masks of this style. Home-made masks worn as designed always had lower particle removal rates than the 3M masks, achieving between 38% and 96% of this baseline. As has been previously observed by Cooper et al. (1983), adding a layer of nylon stocking over the masks minimized the flow of air around the edges of the masks and improved particle filtration efficiency for all masks, including all commercial products tested. Use of a nylon stocking overlayer brought the particle filtration efficiency for five of the ten fabric masks above the 3M surgical mask baseline. This rapid testing method (<2 hours per mask design) provides a holistic evaluation of mask particle removal efficacy (material, design, and fit), and use of this method for testing a wider range of mask materials and designs will provide the public and health care providers with information needed to optimize health protection given resources at hand.

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Surgical Mask Particle Filtration Efficiency (PFE)

The Journal of Science and Medicine ◽

10.37714/josam.v2i4.50 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 2 (3) ◽

pp. 1-11

Author(s):

Behnam Pourdeyhimi

Keyword(s):

Test Methods ◽

Filtration Efficiency ◽

Standard Test ◽

Regulatory Agencies ◽

Guidance Document ◽

Test Procedures ◽

Particle Filtration ◽

Fda Guidance ◽

Surgical Masks

The particle filtration efficiency (PFE) of surgical (procedure) masks is a key differentiator of its classification and therefore, its use by healthcare workers. Surgical masks are regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The FDA Guidance document has adopted a number of ASTM standards for establishing the criteria for the classification of masks. ASTM F2299 is recommended for the measurement of PFE with minor modifications. Both ASTM F2299 and the FDA Guidance Document fail however to establish standard test procedures and therefore, it is possible to attain diverging results. This creates a major problem in one’s ability to be able to relate the measured performance across different masks on the market. In this paper, we outline the deficiencies of these test methods and discuss the challenges that need to be addressed by FDA and other regulatory agencies.

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