Absolute filters
Absolute filters are high-quality air filters designed to remove the smallest particles, such as dust, pollen, bacteria and viruses, from the air. They offer an exceptionally high filtration rate, making absolute filters indispensable in sectors where air quality is crucial. Think of hospitals, laboratories, cleanrooms and production environments. Thanks to their ability to eliminate up to 99.995% of contaminants, absolute filters ensure a safe and controlled environment, which is essential for people and processes.
Where is an Absolute filter used?
Absolute filters are used in various sectors and devices where air quality is a very important factor. They play a key role in protecting people and processes against harmful particles and fine dust. Due to their versatility and very high efficiency, they are used in various applications, from hospitals to high-tech production environments.
Common applications for absolute filters include:
Equipment
- Air handling units (AHUs): These systems are used to filter and circulate air in large buildings. They ensure that contaminants such as dust and micro-organisms are removed, which is crucial for maintaining a healthy indoor climate.
- Cleanroom ventilation systems: These systems are specially designed to maintain a controlled air flow and sterile conditions. They are often used in laboratories, hospitals and cleanrooms where even the smallest particles can be harmful.
- Fine dust extraction and laminar flow cabinets: These devices are essential in laboratories and production environments where precise control of air quality is required. They remove fine dust and other harmful particles directly at the source and provide a protected workspace for sensitive processes.
What Absolute filters are available?
There are three main types of absolute filters that are commonly used: EPA filters, HEPA filters and ULPA filters.
- EPA filters (Efficient Particulate Air): EPA filters offer a filtration efficiency of at least 85% for particles measuring 0.3 microns. They are often used in situations where lower air purity is required, such as in commercial buildings, ventilation systems and certain industrial environments.
- HEPA filters (High Efficiency Particulate Air): HEPA filters offer a filtration efficiency of at least 99.97% for particles of 0.3 microns. They are suitable for applications where very high air purity is required, such as in hospitals and air handling systems.
- ULPA (Ultra Low Penetration Air) filters: ULPA filters go one step further than HEPA filters and offer a filtration efficiency of up to 99.9995% for particles of 0.1 microns. These filters are mainly used in environments where an ultra-clean air flow is required, such as cleanrooms in the pharmaceutical and electronics industries.
Buildings and sectors
- Healthcare sector: Hospitals and laboratories use absolute filters to guarantee sterile conditions in operating theatres, intensive care units and clean rooms.
- Pharmaceutical industry: Here, absolute filters are essential for keeping the air free of contaminants during the production of medicines.
- Electronics industry: A dust-free environment is necessary for the production of microchips and other sensitive components.
- Food industry: Absolute filters are used to prevent contamination of food products in production and packaging areas.
The use of absolute filters in these sectors not only guarantees air quality, but also increases the safety and reliability of processes and products.
How do you replace absolute filters?
Replacing absolute filters is a critical task that must be performed carefully to ensure air quality. Follow these steps:
1. Preparation: Switch off the system and ensure that the filter area is safely accessible. Use personal protective equipment (PPE) such as gloves and a mask to prevent exposure to particles.
2. Removing the old filter: Carefully remove the old filter to prevent trapped contaminants from being released. Place it immediately in an airtight bag for safe disposal.
3. Inspect the housing: Check the filter housing for dirt and damage. Clean the inside if necessary to ensure optimal performance of the new filter.
4. Installation of the new absolute filter: Install the new absolute filter according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Ensure that it is correctly aligned and seals properly to prevent leakage.
5. Testing: After installation, check the system for airtightness and performance to ensure that the filter is functioning correctly.