Polyester media increases filtration performance

Citation

(2004), "Polyester media increases filtration performance", Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology, Vol. 76 No. 1. https://doi.org/10.1108/aeat.2004.12776aad.001

Polyester media increases filtration performance

Polyester media increases filtration performance

Keywords: Aircraft, Coatings, Polyester

Changing from conventional paper filters to Dralle CPA media supplied by Hodge Clemco has reportedly improved filtration performance and reduced costs for specialist aircraft finisher Sprayavia International (Plate 1).

Plate 1 Dralle CPA filter media is being used successfully in fixed and mobile extractors at Sprayavia International

Sprayavia finishes a wide variety of military and commercial aircraft at its premises in Norfolk, using a range of high-performance coatings formulated specifically for the aerospace industry. In order to reduce filter media costs and improve filtration performance, the company asked Hedge Clemco to propose alternatives to the traditional paper filters then in use.

Hedge Clemco recommended single-stage Dralle CPA filters as a cost-effective way of achieving the high holding capacity and low pressure drop required. The material consists of multi-layer multi-density polyester which is said to achieve a holding capacity nearly three times greater than standard paper media and reduces runoff by 90 per cent.

Efficiency is claimed to be 99.53 per cent with paint droplets of 3 microns and above, compared with a figure of 97.12 per cent when paper media are used. Initial pressure drop is stated to be 0.04 in. at 150 fpm, against 0.14 in. with paper.

The Dralle media was initially installed in fixed and mobile extractors in one of the finishing bays at Sprayavia, measuring some 50 m × 50 m. Following successful use of the material in this bay for 2 years, the company installed it in a second bay of a similar size earlier this year.

Details available from: Hodge Clemco Ltd. Tel: +44 0800 783 2467; Fax:+44 (0) 114 254 0250; E-mail: sales@hodgeclemco.co.uk; Web site: hodgeclemco.co.uk