> ISO 16890 >> The new standard for coarse dust and fine dust filters T ROZ?recunik The art of handling airPM10 Termes] AUCs ra) Micra eT| nar ls aii Une re paat POE pe ageagad a g 0.01 What is particulate matter, and why is it so dangerous? Fine dust consists of the tiniest solid and liquid particles, which are ‘grouped into different particle size fractions. Particles with a diameter of up to 10 um (PM10) are called particulate matter. Particles from 3 to 10 jum are deposited in the nose and throat. Particles of about 2.5 ym (PM2.5) are respirable. Particles that are smaller than 1 um (PM2) enter the alveoli and eventually the bloodstream. Adverse health effects include irritation and inflammation of the mucous membranes, damage to the alveoli, and increased plaque build-up in the arteries. According to the WHO, long-term exposure to particulate matter (PM2.5) can lead to arteriosclerosis, adverse birth outcomes and respiratory diseases in children. The German environment agency UBA estimates that 47,000 deaths a year are caused by particulate matter. Sources of particulate matter are industrial combustion processes and vehicle emissions as well as traffic-generated dust from brake and tyre wear. It is mainly these primary particles that have a detrimental effect. In addition to these, the chemical reactions of ‘gases in the ait, such as ammonia (often from farms), sulphur dioxide and nitrogen oxides, can form the no less harmful secondary particles. Find out about particulate matter concentration in your area: hetp://worw.umweltbundesamt.de/daten/luftbelastung/aktuelle- luftdatentistations Orga suggested een anc Bangkok Gent Saitama Vienna ei oa 1 10 100 ym Suggested standard and particle matter in various large citesWhy is EN 779 obsolete? EN 779 was last updated in 2022. Tt describes a test procedure that was developed roughly 40 years ago, where the efficiency of particulate filters is tested using a synthetic aerosol with a uniform particle size, namely 0.4 ym, The result is used to assign particulate filters to classes from M5 to F9. Coarse dust filters are classified based on a test procedure that uses a standard dust (ASHRAE). Since that test procedure was introduced, the air quality in many industrialised countries has noticeably improved. There has been a considerable reduction in coarse dust emitted from production processes as well as in emissions from industrial sectors. Yet concentrations of nitrogen dioxide and of particulate matter in the atmosphere continue to exceed EU limits. Now that there is a new test procedure for filters, however, filters can be selected based on the particle fraction prevalent in a location. But air quality has improved, hasn't it? Since 2001, particulate matter concentrations (PM!10) in Germany have been measured and evaluated by numerous monitoring stations across the country. While emissions from households and traffic have continuously decreased, overall pollution levels have hardly changed over the past ten years. Due to the harmful effect of ultrafine particles, new threshold values have been defined for air cleanliness. A threshold value (25 g/m’) for ultrafine particles (PM2.5) was introduced on 1 January 2015, and it applies to all of Germany. It is hence important that filters in ventilation and air conditioning systems effectively retain particulate matter. Particulate matter emissions (PM10) based on source sau aS SER EEE saProcsing indus ‘itary ad other smal sourcesWhat is new about the new ISO 16890? The new international ISO 16890 standard defines four new filter groups based on dust particle size, + 150 Coarse (assessment of the separation of ISO A2 dust) = 150 PM10: particle size < 10 pm = ISO PM2.5: particle size < 2.5 ym ISO PM: particle size < 1m ISO 16890 also describes the test procedures to determine the principal characteristics of air filters, and it will replace EN 779 after a transition period of 18 months in mid-2018. In the past, filters were only exposed to size 0.4 ym particles for classification. Now, however, filter efficiency is measured with three different particle fractions, namely PM1, PM2.5 and PM10. This test scenario is a great help in selecting the best filter for a particular local particulate matter concentration, i.e. a filter that provides the required efficiency. For measurements of the fractional efficiency and flow resistance, filters are no longer fed with synthetic ASHRAE dust. They are instead ‘exposed to DEHS and KCI test aerosols, which are ideal for generating and measuring fine particles. The decisive factor is whether a filter can separate more than 50% of a particle size range. Differences between EN 779:2012 and ISO 16890 Particle size for classification Test aerosol Electrostatic discharge with IPA (isopropanol) Efficiency of discharged filter Dust feed for classification Test dust for 150 Coarse and ‘energy efficiency Dust feed Test final differential pressure Classification ©0.4 4m DEHS (di-ethylhexyl sebacate) © Sample is fully immersed ‘Comparison of sample and filter ‘Incremental dust feed © ASHRAE 70 mg/m? © G1, G2, 63, G4 = 250 Pa M5, M6, F7, FB, F9 = 450 Pa = G1 to 66 M5 to M6 *F7 to Fo 0.3 to 1 pm (PM1) + 0.3 to 2.5 um (PM2.5) * 0.3 to 10 ym (PM10) DEHS for 0.3 to 1 um KCL (potassium chloride) for 2.5 um and 10 ym # Sample (entire filter) is conditioned with IPA vapour © Average efficiency of treated and untreated (conditioned) filter * Classification without dust feed #150 fine #140 mg/m" = PM 10 < 50% = 200 Pa # PM10 > 50% = 300 Pa * 150 Coarse * 150 ePmi0 #150 ePH2.5 #150 ePMaWhat are the advantages of the new standard? Filter classes PM10, PM2.5 and PM1 correspond to the particles that are harmful to health. This makes it easier to design filter systems in such a way that they can cope with the actual pollutants in a location. Efficient system design will now include the air quality in a location, which can be measured with monitoring stations. The local air quality ultimately determines the filter. Individually selected, bespoke filters are the best protection against harmful particulate matter, while ‘energy-efficient filters help to save costs in the long run. Why do we need good indoor air quality? Good indoor air quality is obviously conducive to people’s health and well-being. What is more, however, studies have shown that minimising particulate matter and increasing the supply air flow rate in offices may lead to an increase in performance levels by up to 4%. Relation between office ventilation Percentage of dissatisfied employees and employee performance based on ventilation rate ane ee eee How to read the graphic: With a supply air flow rate of 10 Ys, 15% of people perceive the air quality as not satisfactory The higher the supply air flow rate, the more people are satisfied, and then significantly ~ this is an immensely important aspect since motivation and well-being, but also the sick leave rates, correlate with ‘employees’ satisfaction. Ce) stic filter classification, especially with regard to particulate matter 1 Increased awareness of the health hazards of particulate mat = Improved filter quality due to minimum standards for occupied zones += Relevance to discussions of particulate matter and environmental awarenessWho developed the new standard? The new classification allows for a better assessment of fine dust filters and for adapting them to specific applications. 150 16890 was developed by WG 3 of ISO TC 142, the international standardisation committee of which TROX is also a member. TROX develops and manufactures high-quality filters that combine maximum air cleanliness with maximum energy efficiency. Whether business or leisure time - the focus is always on people and their health, EN 779 / ISO 16890 comparison, recommendation of the VDI-SWKO expert working group a 150 ePM10 (50%) 7 1S ePM1 (50%) 1S0 ePM2.5 (65%) Fo 150 ePM1 (80%) Based on the particulate matter values measured in an area, the best, most efficient filter can be selected. This way it is possible to determine the indoor air quality that can be achieved. Fresh cr uaiy st iter stage and iter stage Ino ir quatiy Fiterebat 5% (7) Fite ePa 5% (8) a4 2 | sat ¥ f > “Dre De i | gi £ ree rca i i et Lai pte Sa aeTROX filters for many applications Nowhere in Germany are the measured values for particulate matter higher than in city centres, such as in Stuttgart, the capital of the south-western state of Baden-Wirttemberg. On up to 89 days per year, the particulate matter concentration exceeds 50 micrograms per cubic metre of air. This is why filter systems in buildings in Stuttgart city centre should be particularly effective. With 86 shops and restaurants on three levels with a total area of 25,000 square metres, GERBER in Stuttgart city centre is a spacious shopping mall with a window front of nearly one kilometre. Excellent air quality A total of 30 X-CUBE air handling units are installed in the GERBER shopping centre. They provide treated supply air with volume flow rates of up to 33,000 m°/h, An extended filter system ensures that particulate matter is separated effectively and efficiently. Clean air is essential for the well-being and the health of both visitors to the shopping centre and of the staff working there. The German environment agency UBA has provided the data regarding the actual particulate matter concentration in that area. That was the basis on which TROX engineers designed a highly efficient filter system. Prefilters and main filters complement one another perfectly such that the utmost energy efficiency is achieved over the entire filter life.TROZ*tecunik The art of handling air TROX GmbH Heintich-Trox-Platz 47504 Neukirchen-Vluyn, Germany Phone: +49 (0) 2845 2020 Fax: +49 (0) 2845 202265 wwn.troxtechnik,com [email protected] ‘7am foun ifr» a on ie ee» Th ni 7