title: Performance and costs of particle air filtration technologies.
abstract: This paper predicts the reductions in the indoor mass concentrations of particles attainable from use of filters in building supply airstreams and also from use of stand-alone fan-filter units. Filters with a wide efficiency range are considered. Predicted concentration reductions are provided for indoor-generated particles containing dust-mite and cat allergen, for environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) particles, and for outdoor air fine-mode particles. Additionally, this paper uses a simple model and available data to estimate the energy and total costs of the filtration options. Predicted reductions in cat and dust-mite allergen concentrations range from 20 to 80%. To obtain substantial, e.g. 50%, reductions in indoor concentrations of these allergens, the rate of airflow through the filter must be at least a few indoor volumes per hour. Increasing filter efficiencies above approximately ASHRAE Dust Spot 65% does not significantly reduce predicted indoor concentrations of these allergens. For ETS particles and outdoor fine-mode particles, calculations indicate that relatively large, e.g. 80%, decreases in indoor concentrations are attainable with practical filter efficiencies and flow rates. Increasing the filter efficiency above ASHRAE 85% results in only modest predicted incremental decreases in indoor concentration. Energy costs and total costs can be similar for filtration using filters with a wide range of efficiency ratings. Total estimated filtration costs of approximately $0.70 to $1.80 per person per month are insignificant relative to salaries, rent, or health insurance costs.
authors.affiliation: Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Indoor Environment Department, MS 90-3058, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA. wjfsk@lbl.gov
authors.forename: W J
authors.initials: WJ
authors.lastname: Fisk
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Faulkner
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Palonen
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Seppanen
mesh_terms: D000392:Air Movements; D016902:Air Pollution, Indoor / Q000191:economics / Q000517:prevention & control*; D003365:Costs and Cost Analysis; D004736:Energy-Generating Resources; D004738:Engineering; D004867:Equipment Design; D005374:Filtration; D010316:Particle Size; D014691:Ventilation