Clogging modeling in pleated filters for gas filtration

Abstract

A model of clogging of a pleatedfilter in gasfiltration is presented. The model is obtained by combining a semi-analytical model of the flow in a pleatedfilter and an empirical model of clogging of the planar filter medium applied locally along the pleatedfilter channels. The model takes into account the formation of a filtration cake of variable thickness at the porous wall of the pleatedfilter entrance channels and the resulting evolution of the entrance channels aperture distribution during the filtration/clogging process. Based on the numerical predictions, two main clogging scenarios are identified and analyzed. The optimum pleat density, defined as the pleat density maximizing the filter capacity, is determined and shown to be greater than the pleat density minimizing the pressure drop for a clean filter. Predictions of the evolution of overall pressure drop across the pleatedfilter due to clogging are compared with experimental data.