METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR TESTING FILTER ELEMENT PERFORMANCE

• US 20150159603A1
• Filed: 12/06/2013
• Published: 06/11/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 12/06/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Parker Intangibles LLC (Parker-Hannifin Corporation)
• Original Assignee: BHA Altair LLC (Parker-Hannifin Corporation)
• Inventors: Hiner, Stephen David, Kippel, Bradly Aaron, Bryant, Paul Sherwood, Marchetti, Giorgio, Claudon, Philippe
• Granted Patent: US 9,435,260 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2273/18 Testing of filters, filter elements, sealings
• CPC Class Codes: F02C 7/052 with dust-separation devices
• CPC Class Codes: F05D 2260/83 Testing, e.g. methods, components or tools therefor

Abstract

A system for testing at least one air filter element is provided. The system includes a test rig, wherein the test rig includes an elongated duct, and at least one measurement device coupled to the duct. The at least one measurement device is configured to measure at least one characteristic representative of a condition within the duct. At least one air filter element is coupled within the test rig. At least one first salt spray test is performed on the at least one air filter element. The collected salt spray water and equivalent amount of dry salt remaining in the test rig are quantified. At least one second salt spray test is performed on the at least one air filter element, wherein the at least one air filter element is dust loaded prior to the at least one second salt spray test.

Claims

1. A method for testing at least one air filter element, said method comprising:

providing a test rig, wherein the test rig includes an elongated duct that has a bottom wall and a top wall, and at least one measurement device coupled to the duct, wherein the at least one measurement device is configured to measure at least one characteristic representative of a condition within the duct;

coupling at least one air filter element within the test rig;

performing at least one first salt spray test on the at least one air filter element;

quantifying at least one of an amount of salt spray water and an equivalent amount of dry salt remaining in the test rig;

performing at least one second salt spray test on the at least one air filter element, wherein the at least one air filter element is dust loaded prior to the at least one second salt spray test.

2. A method in accordance with claim 1, wherein performing at least one first salt spray test comprises:

initiating an air flow through the duct; and

injecting a salt water spray into the duct upstream from the at least one air filter element.

3. A method in accordance with claim 1, wherein performing at least one first salt spray test comprises:

performing the at least one first salt spray test during a recording period having a first predetermined duration; and

recording at least one measurement during each of a plurality of discrete test sessions during the recording period, wherein each test session has a second predetermined duration less than the first predetermined duration, and wherein successive test sessions are separated by an interval having a third predetermined duration, during which interval measurements are not recorded.

4. A method in accordance with claim 3, wherein performing at least one first salt spray test comprises repositioning the at least one measurement device after each discrete test session.

5. A method in accordance with claim 3, wherein performing at least one first salt spray test further comprises repeating the at least one first salt spray test for a total of at least three iterations.

6. A method in accordance with claim 1, wherein coupling at least one air filter element within the test rig comprises coupling a static air filtration system within the test rig, wherein the static air filtration system includes at least two filter elements.

7. A method in accordance with claim 1, wherein coupling at least one air filter element within the test rig comprises coupling a self-cleaning filter element within the test rig.

8. A method in accordance with claim 1, wherein said method further comprises performing an empty rig test, prior to coupling the at least one air filter element within the test rig, to calibrate the at least one measurement device.

9. A method in accordance with claim 1, wherein said method further comprises performing at least one aerosol fractional efficiency test, wherein the at least one aerosol fractional efficiency test is performed at least one of prior to performing the at least one first salt spray test and subsequent to performing the at least one first salt spray test.

10. A method in accordance with claim 1, wherein coupling at least one air filter element within the test rig further comprises coupling the at least one air filter element using a procedure determined by a provider of the at least one air filter element.

11. A method in accordance with claim 1, wherein quantifying at least one of an amount of salt spray water and an equivalent amount of dry salt remaining in the test rig comprises:

collecting salt spray water in at least one collection container configured at least one of upstream from and downstream from the at least one air filter element;

weighing the collected salt spray water; and

weighing the at least one air filter element including water retained in the at least one air filter element.

12. A method in accordance with claim 11, wherein quantifying at least one of an amount of salt spray water and an equivalent amount of dry salt remaining in the test rig comprises:

after collection of the salt spray water, rinsing the test rig with a predetermined quantity of filtered rinse water;

collecting a rinsate; and

performing a salt concentration measurement on the collected rinsate.

13. A method in accordance with claim 1, wherein said method further comprises:

drying the at least one air filter element after quantifying at least one of an amount of salt spray water and an equivalent amount of dry salt remaining in the test rig.

14. A method in accordance with claim 13, wherein said method further comprises performing the at least one first salt spray test, and quantifying at least one of an amount of salt spray water and an equivalent amount of dry salt for a predetermined number of iterations prior to performing the at least one second salt spray test with a dust loaded at least one air filter element.

15. A method in accordance with claim 1, wherein said method further comprises pulsating the at least one air filter element prior to coupling the at least one air filter element to the test rig.

16. A system for testing at least one air filter element, said system comprising:

a test rig comprising;

an elongated duct;

a salt water spray source coupled to said elongated duct;

an air flow source coupled to an upstream end of said elongated duct; and

at least one measurement device coupled to said elongated duct, wherein said at least one measurement device is configured to measure at least one characteristic representative of a condition within said duct; and

at least one air filter element configured in said elongated duct downstream from said salt water spray source and said air flow source.

17. A system in accordance with claim 16, wherein said test rig further comprises:

at least one gutter configured one of upstream and downstream from said at least one air filter element for collecting salt water spray; and

a collection container coupled to the at least one gutter.

18. A system in accordance with claim 16, wherein said at least one measurement device is one of a pressure transducer, a humidity sensor, a thermocouple, a flame photometer, a white light spectrometer, an electrical low pressure impactor, a laser particle size analyzer, an aerodynamic particle sizer, a conductimeter/ion selective electrode (“

ISE”

) device, and a smart pressure transmitter.

19. A system in accordance with claim 16, wherein said at least one air filter element comprises a static air filtration system that includes at least two filter elements.

20. A system in accordance with claim 16, wherein said elongated duct comprises at least one of a downwardly inclined bottom wall portion that is upstream of said at least one air filter element and an upwardly inclined bottom wall portion that is downstream of said at least one air filter element.