New for 2025! The American Filtration & Separations Society (AFS) is partnering with INDA to create a world-class FiltXPO™ conference program.
The two-day FiltXPO conference program will share technical insights in filtration innovations and technologies from industry professionals all over the world. Conference program details will be released in the fall of 2024.
Immerse yourself in the next generation of filtration technologies and innovations. Discover the latest developments from world-class exhibitors. Gain new intelligence on what is driving the filtration market.
Unlock business opportunities, gain exposure to new products, and build connections with key players in the filtration industry. Your next success story starts here.
Caryn Smith Chief Content Officer & Publisher, INDA Media csmith@inda.org
Adrian Wilson International Correspondent adawilson@gmail.com +44 7897.913134
James J. Joseph Author and Consultant Joseph Marketing +1 757.565.1549 josephmarketing120@ gmail.com
John D’Antonio Engineering Manager Parker Hannifin’s Industrial Gas Filtration/Generation Division, Haverhill, MA jdantonio@parker.com
Visiting Academic Fellow School of Aerospace, Transport, & Manufacturing, Cranfield University i@driyadalattar.com
CALL FOR COLUMNISTS
International Filtration News is actively seeking viewpoints from qualified industry professionals and those allied to the filtration industry for insightful columns on topics such as trends, innovation, equipment, processes, etc.
Email Caryn Smith, csmith@inda.org with column ideas.
REGISTER NOW
The leading conference and meeting point for filtration professionals
25 > 26 March 2025
Hilton Waterfront ⁄ Vienna ⁄ Austria
FILTREX™ 2025 will feature the fourth edition of the FILTREX™ Innovation Award! Submit your application deadline 25.02.25
FILTREX™ is a two-day conference and exhibition that gathers over a hundred senior filtration professionals.
This edition will highlight technological and sustainability innovations and bring technical specialists and industry leaders together.
WHAT TO EXPECT:
� 2 Keynote sessions
� 5 sessions
� Tabletop exhibition
� Roundtable discussions
� 4th Edition of the FILTREX Innovation Award
CSMITH@INDA.ORG +1 239.225.6137
VIEWPOINT
Starting Off the Year Strong
“A wise man will make more opportunities than he finds.” — Francis Bacon
This famous quote by Francis Bacon projects the idea that intelligent people can actively identify and cultivate new opportunities, rather than waiting for open doors to magically appear. Seeking new avenues of “success is where preparation and opportunity meet,” according to renowned auto racer Bobby Unser. In the race to the top, it is often those who are positioned for the next level that benefit. Another good quote says, “It is better to be prepared for an opportunity and not have one, than to have an opportunity and not be prepared,” according to American civil rights leader Whitney Young Jr.
Setting yourself up for new opportunity is best done by pursuing the low hanging fruit. This is often found at the industry’s key events, where researchers, educators, engineers, innovators, end-users and vendors all gather to recognize thought leadership and innovation. This year, we have identified seven shows that we feel are relevant to our readership. On page 37, we preview AHR Expo 2025 (February 10-12, Orlando, FL), FILTREX 2025 (March 25-26, Vienna, Austria), FiltCon 2025 (April 1-3, Louisville, KY), INTERPHEX 25 (April 1-3, New York), FiltXPO (April 29May 1, Miami Beach, FL), 14th World Filtration Congress (June 30-July 4, Bourdeaux, France) and WEFTEC 2025 (September 27-October 1, Chicago, IL). This show guide will help you plan your year, and make sure you are in the right place at the right time!
On page 25 and 42, correspondent Adrian Wilson shares the best of FILTECH 2024 in his insightful show review. Topics such as digital twins, cleaner electrospun media, sustainable polymers, green solvents, PFAS zero solutions and more were highlights of Europe’s key filtration show.
Also insightful, a primer on Fueling for Tomorrow, on page 22, by John D’Antonio, engineering manager at Parker Hannifin’s Industrial Gas Filtration, explains the importance of the growing field of hydrogen refueling filtration, educating on all the aspects of the process.
On page 19, Wilson also explores nanofiltration’s role in re-refining waste oil, stating, “Organic solvent nanofiltration (OSN) can now bring major benefits to rerefining operations,” and shares how one company is making headway in this arena.
Scaling Up Lithium Production Using Direct Lithium Extraction (p. 27), Micron Ratings on Media for Metalworking Fluid Filters (p. 31), and Pursuit of Clean Air (p. 33) round out the issue.
In 2025, we encourage you to review the robust editorial calendar on page 4 to explore where YOU might contribute to IFN as a subject matter expert! We welcome your ideas –e-mail me at csmith@inda.org!
Caryn Smith Chief Content Officer & Publisher, INDA Media, IFN
International Filtration News Editorial Advisory Board
R.Vijayakumar, Ph.D., Chair
AERFIL
Tel: +1 315-506-6883
Email: vijay@aerfil.com
Rahul Bharadwaj, Ph.D.
Lydall Performance Materials
Tel: +1 603-953-6318
Email: rbharadwaj@lydall.com
Tom Justice, CAFS, NCT
ZENE, LLC Filtration
Tel: 757-378-3857
Email: justfilter@yahoo.com
James J. Joseph
Joseph Marketing
Tel/Fax: +1 757-565-1549
Emai: josephmarketing120@gmail.com
Wenping Li, Ph.D.
Agriltech Research Company
Tel: +1 337-421-6345
Email: wenpingl@agrilectric.com
Robert W. McIlvaine
The McIlvaine Company
Tel: +1 847-784-0013
Email: rmcilvaine@mcilvainecompany.com
Rishit R. Merchant
Parker Hannifin
P: +1 (805) 604-3519
E: rishit.merchant@parker.com
Thad Ptak, Ph.D.
TJ Ptak & Associates
Tel: +1 414-514-8937
Email: thadptak@hotmail.com
industry, IFN is the leading source for the dialogues, debates and innovations across the full spectrum of filtration and separation applications and processes.
If you would like to utilize your expertise to help shape the content in the IFN , consider applying for the IFN Editorial Advisory Board. We welcome participation through input on trends and innovations, new story ideas and overall thought leadership. This is a collaborative board that meets quarterly to discuss the state of the industry. Send an email to Caryn Smith at csmith@inda.org for consideration.
SPOTLIGHT TECH
Industrial Strainers:
Deterring Corrosion with FRP
t Strainers constructed of Fiber-Reinforced Plastic (FRP) are designed to resist corrosion at much lower cost than special stainless steels.
Strainers constructed of Fiber-Reinforced Plastic (FRP) are designed to resist corrosion at a fraction of the cost of special stainless steels.
By Del Williams
Industrial strainers are essential for screening out debris and large particulates to protect crucial downstream equipment and processes in myriad applications. Strainers are used not only in the treatment of seawater and wastewater, but also to remove debris from process and cooling tower water. Applications can range from desalination, wastewater treatment, and irrigation to power generation and the production of food, pharmaceuticals, consumer and industrial products.
Although standard carbon steel construction is adequate for typical use, corrosive environments such as those involving seawater, erosive slurries, or aggressive chemicals can quickly corrode conventional equipment. This can lead to potential issues in safety, quality, and compliance as well as production downtime, requiring premature strainer component replacement.
In many industries, duplex or super duplex stainless-steel construction is used to resist corrosion, but at considerable cost. Now, a wide range of industrial facilities are turning to a more economic, durable alternative.
“Today, a much more cost-effective option is to utilize Fiber-Reinforced Plastic (FRP) strainers that are specifically designed to be resistant to corrosive environments at a fraction of the cost of duplex or super duplex stainless steels,” says Robert Presser, Vice President of Acme Engineering Prod., Inc., a North American manufacturer of industrial self-cleaning strainers. The company is an ISO 9001:2015 certified manufacturer of environmental controls and systems
t A motorized unit like that of Acme Engineering Prod. is designed to continually remove both very large and very small suspended solids from seawater, wastewater, and process streams.
with integrated mechanical, electrical, and electronic capabilities. FRP is a composite material made up of polymer supported with fibers for added strength. FRP is already widely utilized for applications such as the power plant piping used to carry seawater for once-through process cooling.
Within industrial markets, OEMs are now utilizing FRP in various applications where superior corrosion resistance is required at lower cost. As an example, Acme offers the option of using exceptionally corrosion resistant FRP for external strainer construction, including the pressure vessel itself. The internal mechanism is still manufactured with super duplex or similar steels.
Due to the FRP’s strength, the material can also be used to build to ASME BPVC Section X standards, which establishes requirements for the fabrication of fiber‐reinforced plastic pressure vessels. Acme has already utilized FRP for pressure vessel applications up to 300 PSI.
“Industries can save approximately half the cost or more when the strainer’s intake vessels and piping are built with FRP, and only the internals are constructed with super duplex,” says Presser.
To meet industrial requirements, Acme’s FRP division designs and manufactures various types of FRP, simplex, duplex, automatic scraper, and backflush filters. To help ensure compliance with specifications, the OEM
t Industries can save approximately half the cost or more when the strainer’s intake vessels and piping are built with FRP, and only the internals are constructed with super duplex.
provides detailed engineering, including 3-D modeling of FRP piping, piping flexibility/general stress analysis, and piping layout/isometrics. In addition, the OEM provides complete skids with piping, valves, and instrumentation along with PLC control, as needed.
According to Presser, an automatic, selfcleaning, scraper strainer is often used with FRP construction when cost-effective corrosion resistance is necessary and minimal oversight desired. In the case of the OEM’s automatic scraper strainer, a motorized unit is designed to continually remove both very large and very small, suspended solids from seawater, wastewater, and process streams.
Cleaning is accomplished by a spring-loaded blade and brush system, managed by a fully automatic control system. Four scraper brushes rotate at 8 RPM, resulting in a cleaning rate of 32 strokes per minute. The scraper brushes get into wedge-wire slots and dislodge resistant particulates and solids. This approach enables the scraper strainers to resist clogging and fouling when faced with large solids and high solids concentration. It ensures a complete cleaning and is very effective against organic matter “biofouling.”
Although industrial facilities have long employed industrial strainers constructed of special stainless steels to resist corrosion, utilizing FRP can be just as effective at a much lower cost. When used with advanced, self-cleaning scraper strainers, downstream equipment and processes can be effectively protected for the long term without premature component replacement or excessive oversight. For more info, contact Robert Presser, Vice President at 518-236-5659 or in Canada phone, 514-342-5656.
Del Williams is a technical writer based in Torrance, California. www.acmeprod.com
For details on how to submit your company’s technology for consideration as a “Technology Spotlight” in IFN , contact Ken Norberg at ken@filtnews.com or +1
NOTES TECH
Aqua-Aerobic Systems, Inc. Introduces PFAS Removal System
Aqua-Aerobic Systems, Inc. introduced the first in their line of PFAS Solutions, the AquaPRS™ PFAS Removal System. This system utilizes a unique sorbent suspension to adsorb pre- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and a robust separator to produce clean water from the suspension. The suspended adsorbent slurry prevents biofouling and controls solids and mineral buildup. Additionally, the adsorbent material is specially engineered to adsorb much more PFAS (ug of PFAS/g of sorbent) than can be adsorbed by the same amount of GAC, ion-exchange resins, or other adsorbents, resulting in significantly less operating life cycle costs and net present value.
Smith & Loveless Inc. Introduces TITAN MEM-BOX™
Some of its features and advantages include:
• Extremely high sorbent adsorption rates of PFAS compared to other sorbents
• Fouling and scaling controlled by slurred adsorbent
• Waste volumes are substantially lower when compared to GAC or IX Resin
• Enhanced removal of short-chain PFAS in a single process
• Process is completely automated, including adsorbent replacement The process is completely automated, including replacement of the adsorbent. The removal process allows parameter adjustments in response to varying influent concentrations of PFAS, if necessary. Single stage operation removes PFAS/PFOA and other regulated PFAS contaminants to levels below EPA standards with low to moderate influent levels.
For very high PFAS concentrations (1,000+ ng/L of PFAS) or difficult influent water characteristics, a two-stage configuration/operation can achieve effluent levels to meet EPA effluent standards. www.aqua-aerobic.com
Smith & Loveless, a leader in factory-built Membrane BioReactors (MBRs), recently introduced its latest factory-built membrane system innovation, TITAN MEM-BOX™, a packaged membrane process zone that transforms activated processes into fully functional MBRs.
The integration of TITAN MEM-BOX™ into a treatment process scheme elevates conventional wastewater treatment plants to cutting-edge water resource recovery facilities (WRRFs) by (a) improving plant capacity (b) improving effluent quality (c) implementing water reuse to counter water scarcity and (d) meeting population growth and tightening permit demands.
Designed for both existing and newly proposed plants, the TITAN MEM-BOX™ membrane system eliminates the need for constructing additional treatment basins while streamlining the design process.
This approach drastically reduces project time and costs associated with concrete tank construction. The factory-built and tested system arrives at the plant site ready to be integrated into the treatment scheme to produce superior effluent and achieve biological nutrient removal.
The TITAN MEM-BOX ™ comes with integral hollow-fiber or flat-sheet membranes (depending upon the application). With S&L’s intuitive QUICKSMART™ PLC controls and plant automation, which includes automatic membrane cleaning, TITAN MEM-BOX ™ is designed to make operation and maintenance the easiest of any membrane system.
The TITAN MEM-BOX ™ also integrates with S&L’s largeflow Model R OXIGEST ® treatment system to form the OXIGEST MBR™, offering a complete MBR treatment solution for flows of 250,000 gpd and larger, up to 2+ MGD per train.
Smith & Loveless’ experienced technical staff assists project designers and end-users through every step of the project, from the pre-design phase to field installation and beyond with complete and reliable lifetime after market support as proven during S&L’s 75-plus years. www.smithandloveless.com
New Microplastics Water Filter Made With Cotton and Squid Bone Could Be 99.9% Effective
In a new study led by researchers at Wuhan University, scientists have developed a filter, made with cotton and squid bone, that can be used to adsorb certain microplastics in aquatic environments, and they determined the filter was 98% to 99.9% effective in filtering microplastics.
The study, published in the journal Science Advances , explored the development of a foam filter made with cellulose, from cotton
plants, and chitin, a type of natural biopolymer found in the exoskeletons of arthropods and mollusks, as well as in some cell walls of fungi and algae, according to ScienceDirect. Both cellulose and chitin are considered “two of the most abundant polysaccharides found in nature,” according to the study, and they are already used fre-
quently for removing larger pollutants from wastewater. The researchers are applying the use of cellulose and chitin in a novel way to tackle microplastic pollution in water, which has typically been addressed with magnets, surface-engineered adsorption methods or coagulation methods, all of which can be difficult and expensive to scale. www.science.org
Hydro Reserve Unveils Revolutionary
Mechanical Filtration Technology for Wastewater Treatment
Hydro Reserve, an innovator in wastewater management, is transforming the industry with its groundbreaking mechanical filtration technology, a unique, chemical-free solution delivering unparalleled efficiency in industrial wastewater treatment. This disruptive approach is setting new standards for environmental compliance, operational efficiency, and sustainability.
Unlike conventional wastewater systems that rely on biological processes or chemical additives, Hydro Reserve’s proprietary mechanical water filtration technology achieves 98-99% BOD reduction while bringing Total Suspended Solids (TSS) and Fats, Oils, and Grease (FOG) to non-detect levels. This innovative solution eliminates costly surcharges, reduces energy consumption, and simplifies operational processes-all while delivering superior results.
“Our system is not just a step forward; it’s actually quite a leap,” said Alex Argento, President of Hydro Reserve. “We’ve developed a one-of-a-kind mechanical solution that addresses some of the industry’s toughest challenges, ensuring compliance and sustainability without compromising efficiency.”
Hydro Reserve’s systems are designed with flexibility in mind, with standard systems accommodating flow rates between 50 GPM – 1000 GPM, all within a compact footprint and without the need for bulky holding tanks. The modular design ensures scalability, making the technology suitable for a variety of industries, including food and beverage, produce washing, dairy processing, and meat, egg and poultry operations.
By converting contaminants into a solid cake layer and reclaiming the clean water for reuse, Hydro Reserve not only meets but exceeds environmental stßandards. The system significantly reduces hauling costs and energy use, helping businesses achieve their sustainability goals while allowing for the reuse or sale of the separated biosolids. www.hydroreserve.com
PSI Launches New Cleaning & Filtration Systems
Process Solutions International (PSI), a leader in industrial solutions, announced the release of its new PSI Max 2000 cleaning and filtration systems. These cutting-edge systems are designed to improve efficiency, reliability, and sustainability in various industries, including manufacturing, energy, and oil and gas.
With industries facing increasing demands for cleaner processes and greater operational efficiency, PSI Max 2000 systems aim to address these challenges with advanced technology and customizable configurations. The launch marks a significant step in providing industries with tools to enhance productivity while maintaining environmental compliance.
Key features are:
• Advanced Filtration Technology: Effectively removes contaminants to meet industry standards.
• Customizable Configurations: Designed to suit diverse operational needs across sectors.
• Sustainability Focus: Incorporates energy-efficient designs and wastereduction features.
• Robust Construction: Built to endure demanding industrial environments.
“Industries today require solutions that combine efficiency with sustainability,” said a PSI spokesperson. “The PSI Max 2000 systems are engineered to help businesses meet these objectives, providing reliable performance tailored to their specific needs.”
www.psimax2000.com
Ahlstrom Unveils New PFAS-Free Filtration Media for Air-Oil Separation
Ahlstrom, a global leader in innovative filtration solutions, has introduced a groundbreaking PFAS-free filtration platform with water-repellent properties specifically designed for air-oil separation applications. This new solution offers filter manufacturers a sustainable alternative to meet stringent regulatory and performance demands while maintaining durability and reliability.
The air-oil separation market requires high-performance materials capable of efficiently separating fine oil and water aerosols from air streams while maintaining excellent filtration performances. In multilayer filter structures, media treated with water-repellent properties enhances the coalescing effect. This ensures the media remains stable, avoiding increased wet pressure drops and preserving filtration efficiency. Traditionally, these challenges were addressed using PFAS-based technologies. Ahlstrom’s PFAS-free filtration materials eliminate the need for fluorochemicals,
delivering advanced water-repellent properties that ensure reliable and robust performance, even in demanding operating conditions. A dedicated test bench supports the development and qualification of our multi-layer air-oil separation solutions in collaboration with our customers.
“Our new PFAS-free solution underscores our commitment to innovating sustainable solutions, supporting the transition to environmentally responsible alternatives without compromising performance,” said Tamara Quatrano, Vice President, R&D and Product Development, Filtration. “We are actively collaborating with our customers’ R&D teams to further develop and optimize PFAS-free filtration media.”
The PFAS-free filtration media is now available through Ahlstrom’s glass microfiber production platform in Fabriano, Italy, and is designed for use in industrial applications and sectors. www.ahlstrom.com
EMERGENCE
Compiled by Caryn Smith, IFN Chief Content Officer
International Filtration News Explores Trending Innovation
IFN highlights significant research from universities and institutions around the world. If you are a part of a project you would like to highlight, email csmith@inda.org. Please write “IFN Emerging Research Submission” in your subject line in order to apply. Please send a completed press release and/or summary of the research as you would want it to be printed, a link to the university online story (if applicable), and all high resolution photographs/charts/graphs, short researcher bio(s). All selections could be edited for length.
BERNAL INSTITUTE AND UNIVERSITY OF LIMERICK
Bernal Researchers
Discover Solution to Eliminate ‘Forever Chemicals’ from Drinking Water
Researchers at Bernal Institute and University of Limerick have developed a new material that can eliminate so-called ‘forever chemicals’ from water.
The research team, working with colleagues from the Technical University of Munich (TUM) in Germany, have discovered a solution to filter harmful chemicals from drinking water.
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a group of man-made chemicals that have been in use since the 1940s. Due to their ability to resist heat, oil, stains, grease, and water, PFAS have been widely used across a range of industrial and consumer applications, from nonstick cookware and water-repellent fabrics to firefighting foams and industrial processes. However, their chemical stability – key to their effectiveness in these uses – also means they persist in the environment and the human body.
Known as ‘forever chemicals,’ the substances can accumulate in the body via food and drinking water and cause serious illnesses. Prolonged exposure can cause liver damage, tumors and hormonal disorders and they are considered a severe threat to human health.
The researchers at Bernal, UL and TUM have now developed a new, efficient method of filtering these substances out
legacy PFAS chemicals, this new class of PFAS filters introduces an as-yet-unknown design principle for future adsorbent design.
“In fact, this marks the first instance of trace PFAS removal from freshwater containing two parts per billion of PFAS using porous adsorbent materials that demonstrate both rapid removal kinetics and excellent recyclability.”
of drinking water. They rely on so-called metal-organic framework compounds, which work much better than the materials commonly used to date. Even extremely low concentrations of PFAS in the water can still be captured.
Dr. Soumya Mukherjee, member of the Bernal Institute and an Assistant Professor of Materials Chemistry at UL’s Department of Chemical Sciences, working with researchers in TUM, developed the porous, sponge-like metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) that can filter these PFAS chemicals out of drinking water.
The new discovery has just been published in the Advanced Materials journal.
“The filters delivered removal performance even when they were present in extremely low concentrations of a few parts per billion, that is, only a handful of PFAS molecules among billions of water molecules,” explained Dr. Mukherjee.
“With fast and record-high removal properties realized for at least two of the
The research team identified water-stable metalorganic framework compounds made of zirconium carboxylate as particularly effective PFAS filters.
The bespoke class of materials is characterized by the adaptable pore sizes and surface chemistry. The materials are water-resistant and highly electrostatically charged. By specifically designing the structures and combining them with polymers, the filter capacity has been significantly improved compared to materials already in use, such as activated carbon and special resins.
Dr. Mukherjee highlighted the profound societal impact of removing PFAS from water. “During the Second World War, fluorocarbons became the silent enablers of the 20th century’s greatest technological achievements – the bomb and also Teflon, the stuff of convenience cookware, spaceflight and implantable medical devices.
“Today, these fluorocarbons, PFAS, persist as legacy chemicals prevalent in water systems serving hundreds of millions of people around the world. So extreme is
Bernal member Dr. Soumya Mukherjee, Assistant Professor of Materials Chemistry at UL’s Department of Chemical Sciences. Bernal Institute
their persistence that science is yet to determine an environmental half-life – the point at which the environmental load would otherwise become half.
“From soil to sea, the PFAS cycle spins a web of contamination across ecosystems far and wide. To mitigate the disquieting effects of PFAS, we have just innovated a new approach to adsorbent design.
“Our team approach was key to this success. The chemistry among our team was just as important as the chemistry of the porous materials.”
According to the researchers, the largescale translation of the newly identified filter material class in water treatment facilities now requires iterative process design across higher technological readiness levels.
“Scaling this innovation from the laboratory to pilot-scale operations arguably presents additional challenges in process engineering,” said Dr. Mukherjee.
“However, it will be some time before this new filter material is adopted on a large scale in waterworks. The newly discovered principle would have to be implemented with sustainably available, inexpensive materials that are safe in every respect. This will require considerable further research and engineering solutions.”
BAKER HUGHES AND THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, BERKELEY
Baker Hughes and the University of California, Berkeley, Establish Global Decarbonization Research Institute
Baker Hughes, an energy technology company, and the University of California, Berkeley have announced a new long-term research partnership to establish the Baker Hughes Institute for Decarbonization Materials at UC Berkeley’s College of Chemistry. The institute will connect breakthrough academic research with commercial innovation to accelerate the deployment and scaling of costeffective climate technology solutions that drive sustainable energy development.
As part of the agreement, Baker Hughes will fund collaborative research to develop next-generation materials for a range of energy and industrial applications, including carbon capture, utilization and storage (CCUS), hydrogen, and clean power generation, among others. Baker Hughes will be closely involved from the earliest stages of research to shape the programs based on evolving market and customer needs, as any discoveries may potentially be scaled across the company’s portfolio of climate technology solutions.
“Innovation, collaboration and partnership are critical to building the diversified portfolio of technology solutions neces-
sary to meet the energy demands of today and tomorrow. Partnering with UC Berkeley’s College of Chemistry is an important step forward in our commitment to sustainable energy development,” said Chris Pin Harry, vice president of Technology, Industrial & Energy Technology (IET) at Baker Hughes.
The institute will be led by C. Judson King Distinguished Professor and UC Berkeley Professor of Chemistry Jeffrey Long, a globally recognized material’s expert who pioneered the use of metalorganic frameworks (MOFs) for adsorbing carbon dioxide and other molecules from industrial emissions streams. Baker Hughes’ funding will support Berkeley researchers, with expertise in materials development and discovery, computational chemistry, advanced characterization, process engineering and techno economics. Chris Pin Harry and Daniela Abate, VP CCUS, Climate Technology Solutions at Baker Hughes, will serve on the institute’s joint steering committee.
Initial research projects will focus on advanced material design, including creating and testing new chemical structures like MOFs, as well as developing gas separation and chemical conversion systems. Additionally, the projects will leverage AI and machine learning to accelerate the discovery and development of improved materials and new technology solutions.
“Our aim is to make materials that not only adsorb gases more efficiently, but also without high energy requirements,” said Professor Long, the institute’s executive director. “As chemists, we know how to adjust materials at the atomic level, but we need partners like Baker Hughes who can scale and industrialize the technology. Lowering emissions is an urgent task, and I am confident that together, we can make scalable, commercially relevant materials that can quickly hit the market and make a difference.”
The partnership builds on Baker Hughes’ wider development of innovative climate technologies, including its work in CCUS with Mosaic Materials direct air capture (DAC) technology. Acquired by
Left to right: Chris Pin Harry, vice president of Technology, Industrial & Energy Technology at Baker Hughes; Professor Jefferey Long, UC Berkeley professor of chemistry and the institute’s executive director; and Daniela Abate, VP CCUS, Climate Technology Solutions at Baker Hughes. Baker Hughes
Baker Hughes in 2022, Mosaic Materials was born out of Professor Long’s lab at UC Berkeley, and pilot units are currently being tested to accelerate deployment at commercial scale.
The institute underscores Baker Hughes’ commitment to investing in emerging technologies that will efficiently reduce or eliminate emissions across multiple industries.
By Lauren Woods, Schools of Medicine and Dental Medicine
Several years of community service and real-world research of the crosscampus UConn Indoor Air Quality Initiative has led to the awarding of $11.5 million in state support to UConn to bring access to low-cost, do-it-yourself “Corsi-Rosenthal” air-purifiers to every individual public school classroom in Connecticut.
On October 22 the State Bond Commission in Connecticut approved funding for the UConn Indoor Air Quality Initiative to administer and implement the purchase of equipment and materials for the con-
struction and installation of individual classroom air purifiers. The state funding awarded to UConn will be part of SAFECT: Supplemental Air Filtration for Education Supplemental under the Clean Air Equity Response Program.
“We are pleased to offer these inexpensive devices to all classrooms across Connecticut,” said the Director of the UConn Indoor Air Quality Initiative, Marina Creed, an APRN who also serves UConn Health as a neuroimmunology nurse practitioner. “When schools, students, and teachers run one of these inside their classrooms it will reduce their exposure to viruses and bacteria, reducing the risk of disease transmission, meaning they are less likely to get sick.”
Creed added, “Thank you to the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, and General Assembly for putting the health of our students and teachers first.”
Although these devices are created simply with just $60 of hardware store materials, they have been shown to be incredibly effective. The EPA and UConn jointly tested the devices in the EPA’s large bioaerosol test chamber, and results showed that in just 60 minutes it effectively removes over 99 percent of airborne viruses including the virus that causes COVID-19. Plus, recently published collaborative research findings by UConn and Arizona State University also show that DIY air purifiers work better than commercial HEPA air cleaners for a fraction of the cost.
“Our scientific results are huge!” said Creed, who also serves as an instructor of neurology at UConn School of Medicine. “These air purifiers immediately improve indoor air quality, which has been shown to decrease student absences from asthma and respiratory illness such as influenza, COVID, and RSV, and is also associated with improved academic performance including test scores.”
In 2021, UConn launched its crosscampus community service initiative during the pandemic to battle the COVID-19 virus with faculty, students, and staff volunteering to build and donate over 700 of the public health intervention tools to public schools and other community settings like the Veteran’s Administration (VA) Medical Center. The UConn Indoor Air Quality Initiative was initially started by Creed as an effort to better protect her immunocompromised multiple sclerosis patients and other vulnerable people in the community. Since that time, the reach of the Initiative has greatly expanded. In fact, building and testing the air filters has become part of a UConn Engineering class curriculum (ENGR 1166) as a public service learning project.
Creed’s Initiative co-collaborators at UConn are Kristina Wagstrom, Ph.D. of the College of Engineering and Misti Zamora, Ph.D. of the School of Medicine.
“We look forward to working with students from kindergarten through university-levels to provide opportunities for hands-on learning and engagement about solutions to improve indoor air quality,” shared Wagstrom, an associate professor in Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering in the College of Engineering at UConn-Storrs who specializes in improving estimates of the human and ecosystem health impacts of air pollution.
“We are excited to be able to use our experiences and expertise to help improve indoor air quality in Connecticut’s schools. This is more than a work project for us. It is very personal since many of our team have children attending schools in Connecticut, and we know how sensitive children can be to the air they breathe,” shared Zamora, an expert in assessing air quality and how it impacts our
EPA testing in 2023 of the DIY air purifier “Owl Force One” in its large biochamber against MS2, a surrogate virus for SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. UConn
bodies who serves as an assistant professor in Public Health Sciences at UConn School of Medicine.
The
Power of UConn and a Little Girl’s Letter
Eniola Shokunbi, an elementary school student in Middletown, wrote and mailed UConn Health a letter inviting them to her public school to help her class build an air purifier device. The student wanted to have UConn’s help to build these air filters to improve her nearly 100-year-old school’s indoor air quality, reduce her fellow students’ risk of illness, and also run her own science experiment testing the effectiveness of the devices across classrooms by tracking sick absences.
The inexpensive, build-it-yourself “Corsi-Rosenthal” box air purifiers have become part of a national movement during COVID-19 to help everyone more easily remove unhealthy air particles from indoor community settings, and even during national wildfire poor air-quality events. The movement has grown from the West Coast creators of the device at the University of California-Davis (Richard Corsi, dean of engineering at UC California-Davis, and Jim Rosenthal, CEO of Texas-based company Tex-Air Filters) all the way to the East Coast’s University of Connecticut.
UConn researchers were instrumental in taking the air filters on a road trip first to the White House’s Office of Science and Technology Policy and then for testing by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Homeland Security Division Laboratory at the EPA’s Office of Research and Development in Research Triangle Park, North Carolina for high-tech, advanced biochamber research testing of the device. For two weeks the EPA scientists tested the efficacy of the low-cost DIY device against the non-pathogenic bacteriophage MS2, a surrogate virus for SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. The team of EPA scientists led by Katherine Ratliff showed that the box removes 97% of infectious aerosols in just 30 minutes, and 99.4% within 60 minutes including the surrogate virus for SARSCoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19.
The UConn Indoor Air Quality Initiative’s cross-campus collaborators include UConn Health and its Comprehensive Multiple Sclerosis Center, UConn School of Medicine and its Department of Public Health Sciences, UConn College of Engineering, UConn School of Nursing, Connecticut Area Health Education Center Network (CT AHEC), UConn Neag School of Education, and Connecticut Children’s.
You can learn how to build your own simple, affordable DIY air cleaner with UConn’s simple online directions whether for your home, your classroom, or community setting. Also, view a how-to video by UConn College of Engineering students.
Choi and PhD student Maryam Rezaie are repurposing their ideas about bacteria-powered biobatteries into a new idea.
On average, Americans spend about 90% of their time indoors, and the air we breathe at work, school or home affects our overall health and well-being.
Most air purification systems, however, are expensive, cumbersome and require frequent cleaning or filter replacement to function at optimum levels.
Binghamton University Professor Seokheun “Sean” Choi and Ph.D. student Maryam Rezaie are repurposing their research about bacteria-powered biobatteries – ingestible and otherwise – into a new idea for artificial plants that can feed off carbon dioxide, give off oxygen and even generate a little power. The artificial plants use indoor light to drive photosynthesis, achieving a 90% reduction in carbon dioxide levels – far surpassing the 10% reduction seen with natural plants.
They outline their results, which is partially supported by the Office of Naval Research, in a paper recently published by the journal Advanced Sustainable Systems
“Especially after going through COVID-19, we know the significance of indoor air quality,” said Choi, a faculty member in the Thomas J. Watson College of Engineering and Applied Science’s Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering. "Many sources can generate very toxic materials, like building materials and carpets. We breathe out and breathe in, and that builds up carbon dioxide levels. Also, there are risks from cooking and infiltration from the outdoors.”
Using five biological solar cells and their photosynthetic bacteria, Choi and Rezaie created an artificial leaf
UConn’s Marina Creed, APRN, with Eniola Shokunbi from Middletown who wants to be the first female African American president of the United States when she grows up. Shokunbi wrote and mailed UConn a letter inviting them to her public school to help her class build an air purifier device.
UConn
t D-I-Y “Corsi Rosenthal” air filter device.
UConn
“for fun,” then realized the concept has wider implications. They built the first plant with five leaves, then tested its carbon dioxide capture rates and oxygen generation capability. Although power generation around 140 microwatts is a
secondary benefit, Choi hopes to improve the technology to achieve a minimum output of more than 1 milliwatt. He also wants to integrate an energy storage system, such as lithium-ion batteries or supercapacitors.
“I want to be able to use this electricity to charge a cell phone or other practical uses,” he said. Other upgrades could include using multiple bacteria species to ensure long-term viability and developing ways to minimize maintenance, such as water and nutrient delivery systems.
“With some fine-tuning, these artificial plants could be a part of every household,” Choi said. “The benefits of this idea are easy to see.”
Binghamton University Ph.D. student Maryam Rezaie, left, and Professor Seokheun “Sean” Choi have developed artificial plants that can feed off carbon dioxide, give off oxygen and generate power. Jonathan Cohen
The artificial plants developed at Binghamton University use indoor light to drive photosynthesis, achieving a 90% reduction in carbon dioxide levels –far surpassing the 10% reduction seen with natural plants. Jonathan Cohen
JCEM Group Announces All-New, High Performance, High-Speed Combi-Line Pleating System
In 2017, JCEM introduced its P7 HighSpeed Blade Pleating machine, the world’s fastest blade pleating machine to date, with speeds of up to 350 pleats/ minute. And now, JCEM showcases its latest high-speed pleating machine, the all-new P8 with speeds of up to 500 pleats/minute!
The new P8 uses the latest Bosch Rexroth magnetic levitation technology that allows for record-breaking speeds previously thought to never be achieved in a blade pleating application. The P8 design has tremendously reduced the number of mechanical/moving parts that eliminate the need for greasing or cleaning, while still offering very good strength characteristics. The result is world-record pleating speeds with excellent pleat height tolerance and quality.
Simultaneously, TAG, part of the JCEM Group, has also just released its latest Mini-Pleating machine with completely new Beckhoff controls and Bosch Rexroth motors and drives. For customers, the new platform offers many up-
dates, such as higher pleating speeds (up to 30 meters/minute), improved web tension control, a new Servo Unwinder, full synchronization between Mini-Pleater and Blade Pleater, and much simpler integration of additional accessories or features in the future.
Another big advantage is the ability to change pleat heights completely on-thefly without stopping the machine, which is quite revolutionary as this is a huge time saver, as well as a tremendous reduction in scrap. This allows the user to load an entirely new recipe with a different pleat height, glue pattern, pleat spac-
The P8 design has tremendously reduced the number of mechanical/moving parts that eliminate the need for greasing or cleaning, while still offering very good strength characteristics.
ing, and pleat count without having to stop the machine to “reload.” Customers can also opt for an automated slitting system that adjusts slitting knives to desired slit-width positions with no operator involvement at all.
Together, the new P8 and updated TAG machine create an extremely highperformance Combi-Line Pleating system for applications requiring synthetic media with glue-bead separators. This was part of the overall strategy when JCEM acquired TAG GmbH, to create software, programming, and component commonality between all machinery for a more streamlined customer experience and offering the evermore popular Industrie 4.0 compatibility.
JCEM Group, including JCEM GmbH (Switzerland), TAG (Germany), and JCEM Inc. (USA), is the global leader for all types of pleating equipment, offering the world’s most innovative, efficient, and robust pleating systems available.
www.jcem.group
The JCEM P8 pleating machine with speeds up tp 500 pleats per minute.
WASTEWATER
Treatment Upgrades
Overcoming Chemical Dosing Challenges in Wastewater Treatment
By Adeel Hassan
Around 359 billion cubic meters of wastewater is produced globally each year. As well as municipal wastewater, a broad range of industrial processes produce wastewater, such as chemical manufacturing, food processing and powerplants.
If the effluent water is going to be discharged back into the environment, it must be treated to comply with regulatory requirements and prevent damage to ecosystems and human health. Alternatively, many industrial companies want to reuse their wastewater to minimize their environmental impact, reduce costs and overcome water shortages. For this purpose, the wastewater must be treated so that it is suitable for its new purpose, such as industrial cooling water.
Wastewater treatment providers are facing the challenge of effectively
handling a variety of treatment chemicals, as well as external factors such as increasing demand and the drive for sustainability. Here is insight into how wastewater treatment providers can overcome different process challenges by upgrading their pumping technology.
Disinfection and Neutralization
Chemical disinfection involves the use of oxidizing chemicals, such as sodium hypochlorite. However, oxidizing chemicals off-gas, causing gas to be present in the fluid. This gas can block a diaphragm pump by preventing correct operation of the ball valves. Wastewater treatment providers can overcome this by selecting peristaltic pumps, which push any gas present in the fluid through the pump without causing any maintenance issues.
Sustainability is driving the use of higher concentration chemicals to minimize transport costs and emissions, as well as
reduce the size of dosing systems. However, high concentration chemicals, such as sulfuric acid used in neutralization, can be hazardous if not contained after a pump failure. Therefore, it is important that plant managers select a pump that is compatible with high concentration chemicals and prevents chemical exposure to the operator.
High concentration chemicals require a very accurate and repeatable pump to maintain process capability. Peristaltic pumps with low pulsation and no ball valves result in parts per million (ppm) concentrations with very low standard deviations, minimizing chemical usage and maximizing process quality.
Coagulants and Flocculants
Regulations around preventing eutrophication are driving the removal of phosphates from wastewater. Ferric chloride, commonly used in this process, reacts
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Polymers are commonly used for dewatering of sludge and solids removal from water. Solids removal helps to clean the water for reuse, while dewatering sludge minimizes bulk, which can reduce costs associated with storage and disposal by up to 75 percent.
Rising to the Challenge
After calls from plant managers for more powerful and adaptable pumping equipment that enables accurate, flexible and high capacity dosing, the Qdos H-FLO was designed. The pump is capable of flow rates up to 600 liters per hour and can handle pressures up to 7 bar via a range of interchangeable pump heads. The different pumpheads enable the pump to be used in a wide range of wastewater applications and allow plant managers to respond quickly as treatment processing requirements change.
aggressively with metal pumps. By selecting a pump with a plastic case, wastewater treatment providers can ensure their equipment is compatible with ferric chloride systems.
Furthermore, in diaphragm pumps, ferric chloride can pose a threat of solid content becoming stuck under the ball valves that are keeping the pump open. If both valves become stuck, then the pump can start to siphon, and the fluid will travel in the opposite direction as it can flow out of the pump. This creates inaccuracy as the fluid is leaking out. By selecting a peristaltic pump that does not require any valves, these challenges can be avoided completely.
Polymers are commonly used for dewatering of sludge and solids removal from water. Solids removal helps to clean the water for reuse, while dewatering sludge minimizes bulk, which can reduce costs associated with storage and disposal by up to 75 percent. Efficient polymer activation is essential in increasing the efficacy of the polymer and minimizing usage. The creation and integrity of polymer chains requires a constant stream of polymer into the dissolution stage, which can be achieved by using a low pulsation pump.
If condensation gets into the source tank, then polymers can agglomerate together and block the valves of some pumps, such as diaphragm pumps. This plugs the discharge of the pump and can cause it to breakdown. This can be avoided completely with peristaltic pumps, which require no valves to operate.
Urbanization
As well as the variety of different chemicals in wastewater treatment providing dosing challenges, the wastewater industry must contend with external factors. Urbanization means more people are living closer together in towns and cities, increasing the amount of municipal wastewater in one area. The resultant wastewater means bigger wastewater treatment works with larger processing systems are needed.
Therefore, wastewater treatment providers require more powerful pumps with high flow rates and low pulsation to increase efficiency and meet demand. While diaphragm pumps meet the capacity requirements, they can only offer low pulsation when operated at low flow rates. Instead, plant managers should opt for a peristaltic pump that offers low pulsation even at high flow rates.
The Qdos H-FLO has a pressure sensor that detects leaks and blockages. The pump stops before the system becomes damaged and alerts the operator with diagnostic feedback. In addition, all of the chemicals are safely contained within the pumphead, preventing operator exposure. If there is a problem, the pumphead can just be changed.
The twin-tube technology provides extremely low pulsation, with an offset rotor design protecting pipework integrity and providing consistent chemical supply compared with diaphragm pumps delivering similar flow rates. Unlike diaphragm pumps, the Qdos H-FLO has no valves, eliminating the issue of valves becoming stuck or blocked. In addition, the pump has a high accuracy of ±1%, which prevents chemical waste and saves costs.
Wastewater treatment providers face a variety of operating challenges, including handling a wide range of chemicals, meeting high demand, and becoming more sustainable. Yet, with the correct pumping technology, wastewater plant managers can ensure their operations run efficiently, accurately and safely.
Adeel Hassan is a product manager at Watson-Marlow Fluid Technology Solutions, a global leader in fluid management technology.
Qdos H-FLO (center) is designed specifically for higher flow rates up to 600 L/hr. Delivering the same accuracy and reliability as other Qdos metering and dosing pumps. Qdos H-FLO pumps offer long maintenance intervals –reducing the impact of process downtime and lowering the overall cost of ownership. Left: Qdos® 60 ReNu PU pumphead; Right: Qdos® Conveying Wave Technology™.
Watson-Marlow Fluid Technology Solutions
ORGANIC SOLVENT Nanofiltration
Emerging Solutions Bring Cleaner Solution for Waste Oil Re-Refining
By Adrian Wilson, International Correspondent, IFN
Every year, around 1.3 billion gallons of waste oil are produced in the United States, with nearly 40% of it ending up being disposed of rather than being recycled.
Both synthetic and mineral waste oils often contain a mixture of contaminants including carbon deposits from incomplete combustion, metal particles from engine wear corrosion, water from engine operations and storage and spent additives, originally added to enhance the oil’s properties. Due to these hazardous components, improper waste oil disposal can pollute the air, water, and soil, degrading the environment.
Oil Re-Refining
As industries grapple with growing calls for environmental responsibility, many traditional practices are being re-evaluated in favor of more eco-friendly alternatives. Waste oil re-refining, designed to reclaim used oils and restore the base oil to a quality comparable to that of newly processed oil is one of them.
Re-refining plays a role in the broader waste oil recycling process, which involves the collection, cleaning and reprocessing of various used oils including motor oils, lubricants and
hydraulic fluids. Converting this waste into reusable products can minimize environmental impact, conserve natural resources and generate economic benefits since re-refining waste oil is far more resource-efficient than producing base oil from crude oil.
RE(SOLV)
Organic solvent nanofiltration (OSN) can now bring major benefits to re-refining operations and one pioneer in this field is SepPure Technologies, a company with headquarters in Singapore and Canada which has developed the RE(SOLV) solvent separation process based on its GreenMem chemicalresistant hollow nanofiber membranes,
“Our technology addresses the significant energy expenditure associated with industrial-scale chemical separation processes across diverse sectors, including the oil, petrochemical, semiconductor and pharmaceutical industries, which currently account for up to 15% of the world’s total energy consumption,” says the company’s founder Dr. Mohammad Farahani. “Traditionally, industrial-scale chemical separations have grappled with economic and environmental inefficiencies. Conventional methods such as distillation and evaporation rely heavily on the combustion of fossil fuel for energy, leading to increased expenses, significant
greenhouse gas emissions and pollution. We are developing industrial separation technologies that reduce reliance on heatdriven methods.”
The Process
The re-refining process begins with the collection of waste oil from various sources, which include automotive engines, industrial machinery, heating systems and manufacturing processes. Proper collection is essential to ensure it can be efficiently processed and recycled.
Once collected, the waste oil undergoes pre-treatment to prepare it for more intensive processing. This stage involves several key processes including dewatering and demulsification, Dewatering can be achieved through simple gravity separation since water, being denser, settles at the bottom and it can be drained off. Alternatively, chemical dehydration agents can be employed. Waste oil also often contains emulsified water and chemical demulsifiers are used to break the emulsion and separate the water from the oil.
Large contaminants such as dirt, metal particles and other impurities are then removed through filtration. Additionally, further demineralization techniques may be used.
The refined waste oil undergoes various methods to further purify and transform it into valuable products. A compatible solvent is introduced to the waste oil to dissolve and remove unwanted molecules and contaminants.
With pores finer than one nanometer in size, the GreenMem OSN membranes act as molecular sieves, allowing the base oil to pass through while retaining the solvent and other impurities.
This process improves the purity and quality of the base oil and the solvent can be recovered and reused.
The waste oil is then heated to evaporate lighter fractions, such as water and volatiles. The remaining oil is then heated in the absence of oxygen to separate it into different components based on their boiling points.
The oil is further treated with hydrogen in the presence of a catalyst. This process removes impurities such as sulfur, nitrogen and oxygen and enhances the oil’s stability, performance and compliance with industry standards.
The base oil is then mixed with proprietary additives and other components to create finished products such as engine oil, lube oil and other lubricants. This blending process ensures that the final product has the desired properties and performance characteristics.
OSN membranes, employed during the SepPure RE(SOLV) solvent-refining stage,
offer several compelling advantages, including high separation efficiency, ease of scalability, a reduced footprint and superior product quality.
Molecular Sieves
With pores finer than one nanometer in size, the GreenMem OSN membranes act as molecular sieves, allowing the base oil to pass through while retaining the solvent and other impurities. This results in a high-purity base oil product that can be blended with additives to produce new lubricants.
“Unlike traditional methods, our membranes operate using a heatless, pressure-driven process, which can reduce energy consumption by up to 90%,” says Dr. Farahani. “This leads to operational cost savings of up to 50%, making them a cost-effective solution for industries aiming to enhance their sustainability practices.”
Vegetable Oils
Other key applications targeted by SepPure include the use of OSN in the production of vegetable oils and fats, which are often obtained by solvent oil extraction from seeds and nuts. Again, this requires several steps of extraction, separation and solvent removal that are generally energy and resource intensive –solvent removal through distillation alone constitutes at least 50% of the industry’s total energy consumption. Transitioning away from thermal separation processes by adopting membrane technology can significantly reduce energy consumption, emissions and procurement costs.
Organic Solvent Nanofiltration (OSN) membranes represent a cutting-edge filtration technology, operating at a molecular level to precisely separate molecules based on their size and charge. SepPure Technologies
Pharma and Semiconductor
The separation and purification of organic solvents in pharmaceutical manufacturing is also a vital procedures. The purification of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) involves distillation and chromatography.
Distillation involves boiling the solvent in order to isolate the pure compound
C NTRACT PLEATING
while chromatography separates compounds based on their varying affinities for a stationary phase or a mobile phase. These processes are again extremely resource and energy-intensive and can be substituted by SepPure’s pressure-driven RE(SOLV) technique.
Similar advantages are to be gained in the semiconductor industry as an alternative to methods such as distillation, evaporation and chromatography. This industry also relies on significant solvents for etching and cleaning purposes, most of which are usually disposed of after a single use.
Oil Refining
Even in the initial process for the refining of crude oil, SepPure’s OSN can yield significant advantages. Refining crude oil involves fractional distillation in which the oil is first heated and then separated into different chemical
fractions depending on their boiling points. The fractions are then condensed at different heights along the column and are collected for further processing.
SepPure’s membrane technology can achieve precise separation using much less power here too.
The U.S. Department of Energy estimates that such clean technologies could save 100 million tons of CO2 and $4 billion in energy costs annually. Each SepPure system can recycle 8,000 tons of solvents annually, with estimated savings of around $4 million per year.
Adrian Wilson is an international correspondent for International Filtration News . He is a leading journalist covering fiber, filtration, nonwovens and technical textiles. He can be reached at adawilson@gmail.com.
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Tomorrow
Fueling for Tomorrow
Refining Hydrogen Refueling Filtration
By John D’Antonio
As the automotive industry pivots towards sustainable energy solutions, hydrogen fuel cell vehicles (FCEVs) have emerged as a promising alternative to traditional fossil fuel-powered vehicles. Hydrogen is abundant, produces zero tailpipe emissions, and can be generated using various renewable energy sources. However, the effective use of hydrogen as a fuel requires filtration to ensure its cleanliness and performance. This article discusses the importance and benefits of filtering hydrogen and considerations when designing a filter.
Hydrogen fuel cells convert chemical energy from hydrogen into electricity which powers the vehicle. The process involves a reaction between hydrogen and oxygen, producing electricity, water, and heat. The simplicity of this reaction, combined with the environmental benefits of using hydrogen, makes fuel cells an attractive option for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and dependence on fossil fuels.
The Need for Hydrogen Filtration
Despite its advantages, hydrogen fuel systems face several challenges, one of which is the need for clean hydrogen, free from contaminants and moisture. Contamination can originate from various sources, including production processes, compression, storage, and transportation and can have a detrimental effect on
fuel cell performance, efficiency, and longevity, if not removed. Contaminants can accelerate wear and degradation of fuel cell components. Moisture in the hydrogen fuel source can hinder the electrochemical reaction, reducing the fuel cell’s efficiency and power output by preventing proper access of the hydrogen to the catalyst. Filtering hydrogen at the refueling pump can extend the lifespan of vehicles, reduce maintenance costs and enhance reliability.
Design Considerations
There are many potential dangers associated with hydrogen refueling due to its extremely high pressure, pressure cycling, hydrogen embrittlement and leakage potential. As a result, when designing a filter, consideration must be given to mitigate each potential hazard.
High Pressure – Many FCEVs use 700 bar nominal (10,000 psig) hydrogen refueling stations. ASME section VIII division 3 provides design rules for safe construction of high-pressure vessels. O-ring seals should use a backup ring to prevent them from extruding under the extreme pressure. Burst testing product samples is also recommended to confirm the design safety factor.
Pressure Cycling – In service, the filter will experience pressure swings from near 0 to full pressure and back again with every refuel. This presents fatigue issues with the metal housing. Sharp corners should be eliminated from the housing
design to minimize stress risers and increase fatigue life.
Rapid depressurization can cause explosive decompression damage to o-ring seals. It’s important to use o-rings specially designed for rapid gas decompression service.
Hydrogen Embrittlement – Proper material selection is important for hydrogen service. Hydrogen causes metals to become brittle and susceptible to fracture. Hydrogen embrittlement occurs when hydrogen atoms are absorbed into the metal resulting in a loss of ductility. All structural metals are susceptible to hydrogen embrittlement, however it can be mitigated with proper material selection. ANSI/CSA CHMC 1-2014 and ASME B31.12 provide guidelines to aid in material selection. As a general rule, austenitic stainless steels with greater than 7% nickel are a good choice.
Leakage – H2 is a small molecule which means it is hard to contain and apt to leak. While leakage can probably never be eliminated, it can be minimized by using more than one seal.
Hydrogen Refueling Standards
As the hydrogen economy develops, regulatory standards are being established to ensure the quality and safety of hydrogen fuel. Compliance with these standards is essential for component manufacturers, systems integrators and refueling stations to maintain market access and consumer trust.
Parker Hannifin/Getty Images
t Hydrogen Refueling Stations provide efficient fueling solutions for a variety of fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs). Hydrogen must be free of contamination for use with mobile applications to extend the life of sensitive fuel cell components. Filters provide critical protection against contaminants before the gas enters the vehicle’s fuel tank.
ISO 19880-1 – Gaseous Hydrogen –Fueling Stations is an international standard that specifies requirements for hydrogen fueling stations. It addresses various aspects of hydrogen fueling, including safety, compatibility, performance and hydrogen quality.
CSA/ANSI HGV 4.1 – Hydrogen Dispensing Systems outlines safety requirements for the design, construction, and performance of hydrogen vehicle refueling systems. It addresses aspects such as equipment specifications, operational procedures, and safety protocols.
SAE J2601 – Fueling Protocols for Gaseous Hydrogen Vehicles specifies fueling protocols for hydrogen vehicles. It focuses on the refueling process, ensuring that it is safe, efficient, and consistent across different fueling stations. It addresses refueling pressure, temperature considerations, refuel rates and hydrogen quality.
Furthermore, ISO 19880-1, CSA/ANSI HGV 4.1 and SAE J2719 state that the dispenser should have a filter that protects the vehicle from 99% of the particulates larger than 5 micron.
The Future of Hydrogen Vehicles
As the world seeks to cut greenhouse gas emissions and move toward a more sustainable future, do hydrogen powered vehicles have a bright future? Could they replace battery electric vehicles? FCEVs have advantages and face challenges.
Advantages
Faster Refueling – Hydrogen vehicles can be refueled in about 3 to 5 minutes, like conventional gasoline vehicles. This is significantly faster than the charging times for most electric vehicles, which can take anywhere from 30 minutes at a fast charger to several hours at a standard home charger.
Longer Range – Hydrogen vehicles typically offer a longer driving range compared to many battery electric vehicles. This makes them particularly appealing for long-distance travel and for applications such as commercial trucking, where range and refueling time are critical.
Weight Considerations – Hydrogen fuel cells can provide a higher energy density compared to batteries, making them more suitable for heavier vehicles, such as buses and trucks, where battery weight can be a significant drawback.
Battery Production and Recycling –The production of lithium-ion batteries raises concerns about resource extraction, environmental impact, and recycling challenges that are not a concern for FCEVs.
Challenges
Infrastructure Development – One of the most significant barriers to the widespread adoption of hydrogen vehicles is the lack of refueling infrastructure. Hydrogen stations are scarce, especially compared to the extensive network of electric vehicle charging stations. Building a comprehensive hydrogen refueling network requires substantial investment and
q Ensuring quality hydrogen at the fuel pump, Parker Hannifin’s newest line of hydrogen filters provide critical protection, remove contaminants, optimize performance, minimize downtime and help operators reduce their carbon footprint.
Parker Hannifin
Parker Hannifin
coordination. There is also a general lack of awareness and understanding of hydrogen technology among consumers.
Production and Distribution – While hydrogen can be produced from various sources, the most common method today is steam methane reforming, which emits carbon dioxide. Transitioning to greener hydrogen production methods, like electrolysis, is currently more expensive and energy intensive.
Cost of Fuel Cells – Hydrogen fuel cell technology is still relatively expensive compared to battery technology. The cost of fuel cell systems and hydrogen storage solutions needs to decrease to make hydrogen vehicles more economically viable for consumers.
Energy Efficiency – The efficiency of converting renewable energy into hydrogen and then using that hydrogen in fuel cells is lower than the direct use of electricity in battery electric vehicles. This can make hydrogen less appealing from an energy utilization standpoint.
Potential for Growth
Hydrogen-fueled vehicles have the potential to complement rather than completely replace electric vehicles in the transportation sector. Each technology offers unique advantages and faces specific challenges. Hydrogen vehicles may be particularly well-suited for applications requiring rapid refueling and long ranges, such as commercial trucking and public transportation. In contrast, battery electric vehicles are currently more accessible to consumers due to established infrastructure and lower operating costs.
Ultimately, the future of sustainable transportation may not be a matter of one technology replacing the other but rather a combination of both hydrogen and electric vehicles, each serving different market needs and applications.
As the demand for hydrogen fuel cell vehicles continues to grow, the importance of effective filtration is crucial. Ensuring the cleanliness of hydrogen is critical for
optimizing fuel cell performance and longevity. Moreover, compliance with established standards is essential for maintaining quality and safety in the hydrogen refueling process.
By investing in filtration and adhering to rigorous standards, stakeholders can ensure that hydrogen remains a viable and sustainable alternative to traditional fuels. As we move towards a cleaner, greener future, hydrogen filtration will be pivotal in unlocking the full potential of hydrogen as a power source for vehicles and beyond.
John D’Antonio has worked in the filtration industry for 19 years specializing in filter housing design. He is an engineering manager at Parker Hannifin’s Industrial Gas Filtration and Generation Division in Haverhill, MA. He has a B.S. in mechanical engineering from the University of Massachusetts and is a licensed PE in Massachusetts and New Hampshire.
Your Partner for Healthier IAQ
Digital Twins
Going with the Flow at Filtech 2024
By Adrian Wilson, International Correspondent, IFN
Optimizing the efficiency of nonwoven filter media is basically about achieving the perfect balance between the material’s capacity to capture and hold dust or other particles and its pressure drop – its resistance to the air, liquid or gas that is being passed through it
There are, of course, many parameters that can influence this and a huge amount of research and trials continue to be undertaken with the aim of optimizing this balance between particle capture and pressure drop.
At the Fraunhofer Institute for Industrial Mathematics (ITWM) based in Kaiserslautern, Germany, a range of digital twins has now been developed to move beyond what is already possible, as part of the development of a ready-to-use simulation software program called FiltEST (Filter Element Simulation Tool).
This work was outlined by Dr. Ralf Kirsch, team leader of the ITWM’s Flow and Material Simulation Department, in a fascinating keynote speech at the Filtech conference which took place in Cologne, Germany from November 12-14.
Flow Simulation
“A digital twin is a computerized, virtual counterpart to a device or process in the real world, allowing us to study and predict its performance under varying operating conditions,” he explained. “In filtration, a classical application is the computer-aided optimization of the design of a filter media or element to reduce the time and costs associated with manufacturing and testing prototypes.”
The relevance of such a digital twin for the prediction of the filter’s lifetime, he added, is underlined by the abundance of research and trial work devoted to the simulation of flow and filtration from the microscopic length scale of the nonwoven to the macroscopic scale of the filter element.
“Digital twins interacting with the real filter device through data exchange will play an important role going forward, because they offer very interesting possibilities such as predictive maintenance, the automation of optimized operation and much more,” Kirsch said. “Obviously, a digital twin must reflect the relevant properties of the real device and therefore, one of the challenges is to identify what is relevant so that computational resources do not prevent its beneficial use. In our work we have looked at improving digital twins of filter elements by
taking a more integrated approach with a focus on the filter media. More precisely, we have considered a chain of digital twins, representing the different stages the filter media goes through – from the laydown process to the formation, including pleating, to the media’s operation within a filter element.”
Pleating
A material property of major interest is the uniformity of the distribution of the fiber volume fraction.
The fiber laydown process determines how ‘cloudy’ a nonwoven filter media will be, which influences its efficiency as a flat sheet material. Pleating, however, creates regions of compacted fibers, where the flow resistance and filtration properties can differ significantly from the flat sheet.
“In contrast to a quite common assumption of computer models, filter
The digital twins will determine the balance between low flow resistance, a large filtration area and sufficient mechanical robustness of the design. Fraunhofer ITWM
media are not rigid bodies, but they deform under the pressure of the fluid flow,” Kirsch stressed. “Depending on the operating conditions, these deformations cannot be neglected in the digital twin of the filter element.”
The deformation of a pleated filter media during operation leads to acknowledged and unwanted effects such as pleat collapse, or pleat crowding. Flat filter media, however, can also be affected by related impacts.
Trade-Off
One of the major goals is to identify an optimal trade-off between low flow resistance, a large filtration area and sufficient mechanical robustness of the design.
In order to assist filter element designers with this, the interaction of the deformable nonwoven with the air or liquid flow – called Fluid-Porous Structure Interaction or FPSI – is being simulated using specialized mathematical models and numerical algorithms.
Dr. Ralf Kirsch at Filtech 2024. A.Wilson
“The achievements of previous joint research projects have formed the basis of this approach and a lot of ongoing and future developments will lead to further improvements of the simulation methods,” Kirsch said. “With FiltEST, users can create digital twins of multilayered filter media, filter pleats and entire filter elements to study their performance in terms of efficiency, lifetime and particle holding capacity. In addition, we offer services for the computer-aided optimization of pleated filters with regard to both pressure drop and service life.
“In more and more fields of application, the deformation of filter media during operation is significant. In addition, our
simulations can take into account the impact of the compression of the nonwoven material during manufacturing, such as the pleating process, on filter performance and lifetime.”
Moving its digital twinning and FiltEST software development forward, ITWM already offers services for the integrated computer-aided optimization of filter elements and their components by analyzing variations in the geometry of filter pleats, panels, cartridges and housings, FPSI for advanced studies of the flow-induced deformation of the filtering media and a stress-strain analysis of the filter element’s housing, based on flow and pressure distribution.
Adrian Wilson is an international correspondent for International Filtration News . He is a leading journalist covering fiber, filtration, nonwovens and technical textiles. He can be reached at adawilson@gmail.com.
Scaling Up Lithium Production Using Direct Extraction
By Joseph Leslie
IX Resin Can Achieve High Purity Lithium Concentration in Polishing Phase
Lithium metal is among the most critical substances in the energy transition. It’s lightweight, has a high electrochemical potential and high energy density with efficient ion transport, characteristics that make it a primary ingredient in modern batteries, which are experiencing a surge in demand due to growth in the electric vehicle market and increased electrification worldwide.
How Lithium Is Extracted From the Environment
Lithium is extracted primarily from underground brine pools and to a slightly lesser degree, hard rock mining. In its natural form, lithium is found in compounds with other elements and minerals. To make it usable for batteries, lithium must be separated from these substances and purified.
Lithium extraction from brine pools starts with pumping lithium-rich brine from underground sources to the surface, where it sits in ponds for months or years as the water evaporates and leaves behind lithium carbonate and other salts. In general, extraction from brine
pools is relatively inexpensive but uses considerable time and requires large amounts of land for the evaporation ponds. Depending on the local geology, the significant, permanent removal of underground water from the brine pools can have an adverse impact on the aquifer and water table.
Hard rock mining involves ore extraction of spodumene, petalite, lepidolite and other minerals from open pit or underground mines. This method takes much less time but is considerably more expensive and has a more destructive impact on surface land than evaporation ponds.
Joseph Leslie
In small – but growing – amounts, lithium is being recycled from used batteries.
To meet the surging global demand for lithium, the lithium extraction industry is developing better ways to harvest lithium. One of these methods is direct lithium extraction (DLE), which taps underground brine pools but cuts the time of extraction from years to hours with a far smaller impact on land and water resources.
How DLE Isolates Lithium From Brine
In direct lithium extraction, lithiumbearing brine is pumped up from underground pools and subjected to a series of technologies to separate lithium from the brine, after which the water is returned underground.
The process typically starts with specialty sorbents designed to have high affinity for lithium. When the brine is passed over the sorbent material, lithium ions are adsorbed onto the surface of the sorbent, isolating them from the other ions. The lithium is then harvested from the sorbent using a recovery solution and collected for further purification or processing.
The sorbent stage often leaves behind a significant amount of lithium in the brine, so the brine will continue treatment with subsequent technologies that harvest more lithium by separating it from all other impurities. These technologies may include nanofiltration, reverse osmosis and polishing resin, the precise order of these being determined by the specific brine composition and chemistry.
Reverse osmosis removes water from the brine, further concentrating the lithium ions. This technology may also be used to separate certain dissolved salts and minerals from lithium.
Nanofiltration is a selective filtration technique based on ion size. With pore sizes in the 1 to 10 nanometer range, nanofiltration membranes can selectively filter out calcium, magnesium and other large ions while allowing smaller ions like lithium through. As impurities are removed from the brine, the concentration of lithium in the brine increases.
Reverse osmosis removes water from the brine, further concentrating the lithium ions. This technology may also be used to separate certain dissolved salts and minerals from lithium.
Polishing with IX Resin to Achieve Maximum Quality
To produce the highest purity lithium solution, ion exchange (IX) resins come into play in the polishing stage to remove trace amounts of calcium, magnesium, potassium, iron and other multivalent ions.
IX resins remove trace impurities by exchanging the unwanted ions in the solution with ions that are bound to the resin. IX resins are highly selective and therefore can remove specific ions while leaving lithium in the concentrate. When the lithium-rich solution is passed through the resin, the unwanted ions are trapped in the resin, while the lithium ions are not. This selectivity ensures that only non-lithium ions are removed from the solution, leading to a purer final lithium concentrate. Cation exchange resins are often used in lithium extraction, given the common need to remove positively charged metal contaminants.
Once the resin is saturated with impurities, it can be regenerated quickly and easily. This reusability delivers benefits in the form of lower disposal and media change-out costs and reduced waste.
DLE Using Ion Exchange Is Faster, Unlocks Untapped Lithium Sources and Has Environmental Benefits
The major advantage of DLE is that it reduces extraction time from as slowly as years to as quickly as hours. This increase in speed will help the lithium extraction industry scale up faster to meet the surge in global demand for purified lithium.
Another key advantage is that through a combination of technologies that include an IX resin polishing stage, DLE can achieve higher recovery rates and access to untapped reserves. DLE with ion exchange can extract lithium from lowergrade brines, geothermal waters and other sources that are uneconomical to process with evaporation ponds.
From an environmental standpoint, DLE has much less impact on land than either evaporation ponds or hard rock mining, reducing land cost and creating far less disruption and impact on the landscape surface. It also can reduce effects on
the local aquifer. After removing lithium from the brine, most DLE systems can reinject that water back into the geothermal well or brine pool it came from, minimizing potential adverse environmental impact on the local aquifer and water table. And because this brine is reinjected back underground, there is no saline waste to contain and manage as there is with evaporation ponds, reducing the risk of salt contamination in the local ecosystem.
The Downsides of DLE and How Those are Mitigated
Commercial development of DLE is still considered an emerging technology that hasn’t stood the test of time. However, early adopters are experiencing consistent success, and many companies are actively conducting pilot-scale and fullscale projects. This offers an opportunity for lithium extraction companies to make significant competitive leaps.
Another perceived challenge is that because brine sources have unique chemistries, DLE will need to be customized for each location. But the technologies involved – ion exchange, nanofiltration and reverse osmosis – are well suited for tailored solutions, so this will not be hard for commercial providers to overcome.
DLE requires more energy and upfront costs than evaporation ponds, but the tradeoff with gains in speed of production will more than make up for these costs. Operation costs can be controlled due to the reusability and long life of the IX resins, which can be regenerated again and again.
DLE: The Next Evolution in Lithium Processing
Direct Lithium Extraction using ion exchange is an important new technology in lithium extraction that offers a faster, more productive and environmentally responsible alternative to evaporation ponds. By selectively isolating lithium ions in diverse brine mixtures, DLE can recover high-purity lithium with reduced impact on water and land resources. DLE with ion exchange is poised to help companies meet the surging demand for lithium in the transition to battery-powered energy.
Joseph Leslie is a Technical & Market Sales Manager for Jacobi, Inc. specializing in Ion Exchange and Chromotography Resins for the Americas. He has a BS in Science from the University of Notre Dame and has been in the environmental industry for twenty-seven years, the last eighteen with Jacobi.
Custom Converting Equipment
•Unwinds / Rewinds
•Pocket filter machines
•Slitters (Ultrasonic, Laser or Conventional)
•Laminators (Ultrasonic, Thermal and Adhesive)
•Traverse and Spiral winders
•Membrane / Hollow fiber lines
•Festooners
•Accumulators
•Ultrasonic sewing machines
•Pleat welders
•Ring Welders
•Custom assembly machines
Micron Ratings on Media for Metalworking Fluid Filters
By James J. Joseph
The use of micron ratings as a primary parameter to select media for typical metalworking fluid filters could lead to misinterpretation and possibly selecting a fabric which has a high operating cost. This article offers a cursory explanation on the practice of micron rating to show that filtration systems for metalworking fluids closed loop applications “study” at this parameter in a manner different from other filter applications. In addition, it shows that the different “look” is an advantage in selecting media and minimizing operating costs.
Definitions
Micron Rating
Micron rating is a practice which assigns a quantitative value on a fabric to register its ability to intercept particles of a given size. There is much discussion on what the number means as far the actual size of the particles intercepted, and the rating is usually qualified with a suffix such as “Absolute,” “Nominal,” and “Maximum.”
These terms are complex and subject to individual interpretation. However, the industry has evolved to use them to generally rank the “degree of tightness” of one fabric over another. For example; a 5-micron barrier is tighter than a 10-micron barrier since the 5-micron material would trap a smaller particle.
Sector of Filtration Applications
Operations – The arena in which this article deals is metalworking fluids, where operations include machining, grinding, honing, rolling, drawing and support functions such as quenching and parts washing.
Coolants – The fluids are oils, water and a full range of water base blends.
Filters – There are many types and styles of filters used in this industry but, discussion is on flat bed filters which use roll media. These encompass gravity, air
vacuum, liquid vacuum and some pressure devices. Their design will play an important part in the media selection process. Many times options are dictated by the mechanical function of the filter as well as its ability to intercept the contaminants. Most have increment indexing so the media moves in the bed slowly allowing the cake to accumulate and be maintained.
Media – The roll-media for these applications constitutes all types of fabrics and various manufacturing techniques. The most widely used weights are from .5 to 6 ounces per square yard. This includes single layers, multilayers, blends and highloft fabrics.
Who Mainly Uses Micron Ratings
The rating function is used mainly by cartridge, bag and other filter manufacturers where it is necessary to rely on the initial tightness of the bare fabric to perform the needed particle interception. Hydraulic and lube oil cartridge filters are good examples. They are on systems to keep “clean” fluid clean. The contaminants they encounter are from either outside foreign sources or minor wear and tear of the system’s components. There is not much contamination but the filter element must be able to intercept the particles as they occur.
Applicability on Metalworking Fluids Filters Applications
Metalworking fluids applications use filters to clean “dirty” fluid. Contamination is a constant input and micron ratings on rolled media are not as significant for evaluating performance. The main reason is that the media is not the primary barrier to intercept the particles. The media is the septum upon which a cake of particles is held and the cake performs the needed filtration function. This works well, since the continuous input of contaminants creates the “body” of cake for better cleaning. The cake offers more depth and can intercept particles smaller than the openings in the media. Hydraulic and lube applications do not have the continuous input of solids like metalworking operations and rely on the initial media tightness to clean the fluid.
Cake Definition
The term “cake” is the industry’s jargon which is referring to the accumulation of contaminants coating the media or imbedded within its fabric to make it a tighter barrier. The cake on the filter media does not have to be a thick layer which can be cut with a knife. It can be a film or even appear as a stain on the fabric.
Figure 1 shows a cross-section of the four types of cakes that are generally experienced with these types of filters. The first illustration (a) “Random Media Openings,” is an application where a thick cake has a wide range of particle sizes. The media openings are random in size and relatively large. The fabric is selected to intercept the larger particles first. The large particles then trap increasingly finer material. This occurs in the depth of the cake as well as on its surface.
The second drawing (b) “Tighter Material,” depicts a situation where the particle size range is relatively narrow. In this case, the filter will be fitted with a tighter media. The rate of flow through the filter
is selected to still rely on the cake filtration. This illustration can be applicable to stained media where the stain is not thick enough to offer depth filtration but is still effective in trapping finer material.
The third picture (c) “Oil Effect,” reveals what happens when a foreign tramp oil enters the filter which is serving a water base fluid. The oil coats the particles and acts as a sealing agent which prevents the cake from becoming thicker. The film is still of some use, but it is a “slimy” gelatinous accumulation.
The fourth sketch (d) “Blended Material,” exhibits a different type of media structure. Metalworking applications have more options since the blended media offers a thicker barrier for depth filtration. This is an advantage where there is a relatively narrow range of particle sizes or where it is desirable to intercept larger particles in the body of the media to give it a longer life.
Therefore, for most of the flat bed filters with increment indexing, media selection is based on providing the openness to in-
tercept the largest particles first and let each subsequent layer continuously intercept finer material until an adequate and permeable cake is achieved and maintained. As a result, fabrics with much larger micron ratings are used when compared to hydraulic applications. With all set-up conditions correct, a relatively open media can achieve significant clarity levels with a relatively low usage and lower operating costs.
There are some cases with flatbed pressure filters where the selected media would be tighter since the filter replaces the entire bed when it indexes. It starts with fresh bare media each time. Even with this, the first phase of flow begins to form a cake.
Takeaways
The facts presented here can lead to the following “takeaways:”
• Micron ratings are not as effective in selecting fabrics for metalworking operations since media is more of a septum to build a cake for filtering, instead of being the only barrier to intercept particulate.
• Air permeability, particle retention and cake generation capability are better parameters to use.
• First cost of a roll should not be a major factor in the decision making process. Operating costs of the media, fluid life and machine performance are more significant factors in the economical evaluation.
James J. Joseph is a consultant in industrial liquid filtration and is author of the book, Coolant Filtration 2nd Edition, Additional Technologies. He currently owns Joseph Marketing in Williamsburg, Virginia and can be reached at 757-565-1549 or via email at josephmarketing120@gmail.com. He serves on the editorial board of the International Filtration News.
Figure 1: Media/cake cross sections. Joseph Marketing
The Filter Homogeneity Lacking in the Timeless Pursuit of Clean Air
Addressing the Challenges of Manufacturing Consistently Homogeneous Filter Media Will Enable the Transition to Circular Filtration
Models
By Dr. Iyad Al-Attar
The pursuit of clean air has been a long-standing focus in the journey of human civilization. Ancient civilizations demonstrated an early awareness of the importance of clean air for survival even before scientific methods were established in ancient Rome, where protective strategies such as using damp cloths were employed by soldiers and miners. The need for cleaner air became further pronounced during the Black Death (1346-1353), leading to the development of respiratory masks (Figure 1), known as theriac, designed to filter “bad
air” using as many as 55 herbs[1]. Despite their initial popularity, the effectiveness of these masks was not well understood, and there were conflicting views on their health benefits[2].
While the idea of clean air may seem like a modern concern, its importance and the evolution of filtration technologies have gradually unfolded. The 20th century marked significant milestones, including introducing high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters, passing the Clean Air Act in 1963, and establishing the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in 1970, all indicative of a heightened environmental
Figure 1: Color copper engraving of Doctor Schnabel (i.e., Dr. Beak), a plague doctor in seventeenth-century Rome, published by Paul Fürst, ca. 1656. Dr. Iyad Al-Attar
consciousness. Moving into the 21st century, the Internet of Things has brought innovative technology to air filtration systems, offering real-time monitoring and advanced features for heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems. With rapid urbanization, industrial expansion, and increasing humanmade emissions driving the need for cleaner air solutions, filtration technologies have become essential in tackling these pressing challenges.
Attaining higher efficiency filtration requires filter media that effectively capture and retain particles at the Particulate Matter (PM1) scale. The performance of modern air filters depends on the properties of the filter media, which can be affected by variations in packing density, thickness, pore size, and fiber size distribution. These inhomogeneities are often caused by manufacturing issues, impact efficiency, pressure drop, lifespan, and operational costs. Understanding these inconsistencies is crucial for ensuring optimal filter performance and meeting air quality standards, especially for ultrafine particles. A homogeneous filter media structure is key to better predictions of filter performance.
Davies’s model (1952, 1973) focuses on clean filters and highlights discrepancies between predicted and experimentally measured pressure drops[3,4]. Theoretical calculations by Happel, Kuwabara, Fuchs, and Stechkina for viscous flow around parallel cylinders differ from Davies’ empirical model, which is widely used and tested against extensive experimental data [5,6,7]. Thomas et al. (1999, 2001) noted that theoretical predictions often overestimate pressure drops in fibrous filters due to non-uniform structures[8,9], which also affect dendrite and dust cake formation (Figure 2) and particle dynamics during loading[10]
The performance prediction of filters faces several challenges, including the interference of neighboring fibers (Figure 3), fiber orientation (Figure 4), and inhomogeneity in the filtration medium, which disrupts ideal airflow patterns. These irregularities lead to non-uniform gas flow,
impacting filtration behavior. To account for this, the inhomogeneity factor, ξ , has been introduced. However, it led to an over prediction of the pressure drop of filters. Furthermore, it is vital to consider the appropriateness of applying this factor to flat, pleated, or progressive media (Figure 5) for better filter performance predictions. Ultimately, while previous research has been focused on carefully selecting inhomogeneity factors for various filtration scenarios, current efforts should steer filter media technologies to manufacture a structured media so that filter performance can be predicted using existing models. This would allow filter designers to have more control over air quality outcomes.
Uneven particle loading further complicates the predictability of filter performance, particularly as surface deposition of particles precedes depth deposition. Particle loading and settlement within the media depth change the interstitial space’s characteristics and cause the filter’s pressure drop to rise. The structural inhomogeneity of filter media affects both initial performance and long-term durability. Filters with inconsistent material properties degrade unevenly, leading to variation in permeability and local media velocities, which can result in premature clogging in certain areas. Furthermore, inhomogeneity diminishes the constituency of filter performance, complicating standardization efforts and compliance with international filtration standards, such as ISO 16890 and ASHRAE 52.2[11,12]
Another challenge that can be encountered during filter loading, particularly in the presence of media inhomogeneity, is the elevated particle concentration during sandstorms. These storms alter particle loading conditions and the dynamics of particle capture change. Particles may begin to bridge prematurely, leading to increased surface deposition and ineffective use of the filter’s medium depth. Filter media inhomogeneity further exacerbates the complexity of particle loading, rendering air
Figure 2: Dendrite formation around a filter fiber.
Dr. Iyad Al-Attar
Figure 4: Different orientations of fibers in a fibrous filter media. Dr. Iyad Al-Attar
Figure 5: Filter media used in pocket filter consisting of progressive structure of media. Dr. Iyad Al-Attar
Figure 3: Particle deposition in a depth filter medium in the presence of a neighboring fiber. Dr. Iyad Al-Attar
filter assessment rather tedious. Studies have shown that variability in fiber alignment and distribution during production can create uneven filtration zones[13,14] Additionally, filter media degradation over time can worsen inhomogeneity, particularly in environments with high humidity or chemical exposure[15,16]
The Importance of Nanotechnology in Air Filter Media
Filter media inhomogeneity can impede advancements in filter media performance. Traditional air filter media, consisting of macroscopic fibers, struggle to capture ultrafine particles, including viruses, bacteria, and PM2.5, which pose significant health risks.
Nanotechnology involves using nanoscale materials to enhance air filter media by improving their ability to capture these ultrafine particles. Developing nanofiber-based media through electrospinning produces highly porous structures that boost particle capture efficiency while maintaining low-pressure drops. Functional nanomaterials can selectively target specific pollutants, improving air quality and promoting sustainability. Innovations in filter media utilize multilayer stacking, a technique that involves layering a submicron substrate with a nano-sized layer, which enables the filter to capture a broader spectrum of particle sizes (Figure 6). By stacking layers of nanofibers with lower basis weights, these filters aim to achieve higher particlecapturing efficiency comparable to that of single-layer filters with a negligible rise
Particle loading and settlement within the media depth change the interstitial space’s characteristics and cause the filter’s pressure drop to rise.
incorporating fibers with larger diameters, which can better withstand the forces exerted by fluid flow. This helps prevent issues such as filter media compression, pleat deformation, and deflection of the pleated panel. However, it is critical to strike a balance, as the filter media must also remain flexible enough for pleating and to minimize creasing. As shown in Figure 7, preserving the filtration properties throughout the pleating process is essential. Ultimately, the final filter cartridge must allow the pleated media to operate effectively, ensuring reliable and consistent performance in particle capture.
Filter Media Regeneration and Circularity
in pressure drop. Another approach to enhancing particle capture is integrating fibers of varying sizes and dimensions, such as microfibers and nanofibers. However, considering the particle size distribution and concentration challenge is essential relative to the new media properties obtained after introducing the nano fibers or layers for efficiency enhancements.
The main objective in manufacturing highly efficient and sustainable filter media is to ensure it effectively captures particles of various sizes while maintaining its structural integrity. One approach to achieve this is by
In the context of sustainability, filter media must move beyond traditional linear consumption models to adopt circular strategies that enhance performance. This entails focusing on regeneration and self-cleaning capabilities, which improve filtration efficiency, reduce energy consumption, and extend filter lifespan – key aspects of the circular economy. What must be kept front of mind is the development of sustainable air filtration solutions that promote filter longevity, recyclability, and regeneration.
Transitioning to reusable and regenerative air filter media is vital for fostering a circular economy in air filtration. By optimizing media selection, manufacturing processes, and filter designs, we can significantly reduce waste, conserve resources, and lessen environmental impacts. On-
Figure 6: Substrate of filter media before (left) and after (right) being layered with nano media. Dr. Iyad Al-Attar
Figure 7: SEM image showing the creasing of a single pleat with compression at the inner bend and tension at the outer part. Dr. Iyad Al-Attar
Making strides in developing highly uniform filter media through cutting-edge manufacturing techniques and materials is certainly the order of the day toward a predictable and reliable filter performance.
going research is essential for creating more efficient air filtration solutions and addressing the disposal of loaded filters in smart cities. However, challenges exist in achieving the reproducibility of filter media, as producing homogeneous filters can hinder performance prediction and circular model adoption. Additionally, developing cost-effective regeneration techniques while minimizing environmental impacts remains a priority.
Conclusion
The quest for clean air is a timeless pursuit shaped by historical events and technological advancements. From the masks worn by plague doctors to today’s sophisticated smart air filtration systems, our drive for clean air has spurred innovations in filtration. Yet, even with these advancements, air pollution remains a pressing issue.
A crucial aspect of air filtration is the uniformity of filter media, which greatly influences filtration efficiency, pressure drop, and how particles settle. Making strides in developing highly uniform filter media through cuttingedge manufacturing techniques and materials is certainly the order of the day toward a predictable and reliable filter performance. Continuous research is vital for enhancing air filtration technologies and creating filter media that effectively capture particles, gases, and bioaerosols. As we aim to uncover modern filtering solutions that ensure clean air, we must redefine what we consider to be “modern” technologies and tap into their vast potential for creating not just a better filter but a better future.
Dr. Iyad Al-Attar is a mechanical engineer and an independent air filtration consultant. He is a Visiting Academic Fellow in the School of Aerospace, Transport, and Manufacturing at Cranfield University, consulting for air quality and filter performance relevant to land-based gas turbines. Dr. Al-Attar is also the strategic director, instructor, and advisory board member of the Waterloo Filtration Institute. In 2020, Eurovent Middle East appointed Dr. Al-Attar as the first associated consultant for air filtration.
Recently, he became the Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) patron for EUROVENT. With engineering degrees (BSc, MSc, Ph.D.) from the University of Toronto (Canada), Kuwait University, and Loughborough University (UK), respectively, he is now reading for an MSc in sustainable urban development for air quality inclusion at the University of Oxford. His expertise is on the design/ performance of high-efficiency filters for HVAC and land-based gas turbine applications, focusing on chemical and physical characterization of airborne pollutants.
References
1. Blakemore, E., 2020. Why plague doctors wore those strange beaked masks. National Geographic, 12.
2. Ahnfelt, N.O., Fors, H. and Wendin, K., 2022. Making and taking theriac: an experimental and sensory approach to the history of medicine. BJHS Themes, 7, pp.39-62.
3. Davies C.N. 1952. “The separation of airborne dust and mist particles,” Proc. Inst. Mech. Engng 1B, 185-198.
4. Davies, C. N. (1973). Air filtration. London, New York: Academic Press.
5. Happel, J. (1959). Viscous flow relative to arrays of cylinders. AIChE Journal, 5, 174–177. https://doi.org/10.1002/ aic.690050211
6. Kuwabara, S., 1959. “The forces experienced by randomly distributed parallel circular cylinders or spheres in viscous flow at small Reynolds numbers,” J. Physical Society Japan, 14, 527–532.
7. AA, K. and NA, F., 1967. The fluid flow in a system of parallel cylinders perpendicular to the flow direction at small Reynolds numbers. Journal of the Physical Society of Japan, 22(5), pp.1251-1255.
8. Thomas D., Contal P., Renaudin V., Penicot P., Leclerc D. and Vendel J., 1999. “Modelling pressure drop in HEPA filters during dynamic filtration,” J. Aerosol Sci., 30(2), 235-246.
9. Thomas D., Penicot P., Contal P., Leclerc D. and Vendel J., 2001. Clogging of fibrous filters by solid aerosol particles
Experimental and modelling study, Chem. Eng. Sci., 56(11), 3549-3561.
10. Dittler A., Gutmann B., Lichtenberger R., Weber H. and Kasper G., 1998. “Optical in situ measurement of dust cake thickness distributions on rigid filter media for gas cleaning,” Powder Technol., 99 (2), 177-184
11. ISO, I., 2016. 16890-1: 2016 Air Filters for General Ventilation—Part 1: Technical Specifications, Requirements and Classification System Based Upon Particulate Matter Efficiency (ePM).
12. ASHRAE (2017a) ANSI/ASHRAE Standard 52.2-2017 method of testing general ventilation air-cleaning devices for removal efficiency by particle size. American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air –Conditioning Engineers, Georgia
13. Spurny, K.R., 1998. Advances in aerosol gas filtration. CRC Press.
14. Spurny, K., Lodge, J.P., Frank, E.R. and Sheesley, D.C., 1969. Aerosol filtration by means of Nuclepore filters: structural and filtration properties. Environmental Science & Technology, 3(5), pp.453-464.
15. Zhu, M., Han, J., Wang, F., Shao, W., Xiong, R., Zhang, Q., Pan, H., Yang, Y., Samal, S.K., Zhang, F. and Huang, C., 2017. Electrospun nanofibers membranes for effective air filtration. Macromolecular Materials and Engineering, 302(1), p.1600353.
16. Berry, G., Beckman, I. and Cho, H., 2023. A comprehensive review of particle loading models of fibrous air filters. Journal of Aerosol Science, 167, p.106078.
EXPANDING YOUR Filtration Connections
Must-Attend Conferences Driving Innovation in 2025
By Caryn Smith, Chief Content Officer, IFN
In today’s filtration industry, research and development are driving change in methods and materials, often prompted by societal stressors, such as increasing demands for clean natural resources, environmentally sustainable end solutions, as well as durability and cost considerations of filtration methods.
For these reasons, conference and exposition opportunities continue to thrive. They offer opportunities to bring scholars, researchers, developers, engineers, and heads of companies together to explore new ideas, products and services, and network amongst the finest teams leading global filtration efforts. Whether you’re a manufacturer, researcher, or end-user, these events offer something for everyone in the filtration ecosystem.
As the industry evolves and innovates, staying informed and connected is crucial for professionals seeking to remain at the forefront of their field. In 2025, a lineup of premier industry conferences offers unparalleled opportunities for learning, networking, and discovering cutting-edge technologies that will shape the future and forge new partnerships.
We have identified seven conferences that stand out as mustattend events in 2025:
• A HR Expo 2025 (February 10-12, Orlando, FL): This event showcases the latest in HVACR technology, including advanced filtration systems for air quality improvement.
• FILTREX 2025 (March 25-26, Vienna, Austria): A two-day conference and exhibition bringing together filtration experts and industry leaders, focusing on technological and sustainability innovations.
• FiltCon 2025 (April 1-3, Louisville, KY): Organized by the American Filtration and Separations Society (AFS), this conference offers extensive educational opportunities and fosters collaboration within the filtration community.
• INTERPHEX 25 (April 1-3, New York): While not exclusively focused on filtration, this event covers pharmaceutical and biotechnology innovations, including filtration technologies crucial to this industry.
• FiltXPO (April 29-May 1, Miami Beach, FL): North America’s largest filtration exhibition and conference, FiltXPO brings together professionals from around the world to exchange cutting-edge technologies and market intelligence.
• 14th World Filtration Congress (June 30-July 4, Bourdeaux, France): Held every three to four years, WFC serves as a meeting place for scientists, engineers, and applicators from all over the world, specialists in filtration and separative techniques, to discuss the latest advances in science and technology.
• WEFTEC 2025 (September 27-October 1, Chicago, IL): The 98th annual Water Environment Federation (WEF) Technical Exhibition and Conference is a place to learn about the latest innovations in water and wastewater treatment, see the latest technologies and solutions in action, and connect with water professionals worldwide.
What You Need to Know
AHR Expo 2025 (February 10-12, Orlando, FL)
The AHR Expo (International AirConditioning, Heating, Refrigerating Exposition) is the world’s premier HVACR event, attracting the most comprehensive gathering of industry professionals from around the globe each year. It remains one of the industry’s best resources for OEMs, engineers, contractors, facility operators, architects, educators, and other industry professionals to explore the latest trends and applications and to cultivate mutually beneficial business relationships.
This year’s program will feature more than 250 sessions that include 230 free industry seminars, a robust panel series lineup, new product presentations and more.
This year, AHR is supported by an exposition with approximately 1870 exhibitors from all parts of the supply chain.
2025 Show Roundup –Must-Go Shows!
AHR 2025, February 10-12, Orlando, FL
FILTREX 2025, March 25-26, Vienna, Austria
FiltCon 2025, April 1-3, Louisville, KY
INTERPHEX 25, Apr. 1-3, New York
FiltXPO, April 29-May 1, 2025, Miami, FL
14th WFC, June 30-July 4, Bourdeaux, France
WEFTEC, September 27-October 1, Chicago, IL
2025 Panel Series
• AI and Plumbing: How Smart Applications Can Lead to Smooth Waters Ahead
• Everything You Need to Know About the Refrigerant Transition and A2Ls
• 2025 State of the Industry: Today’s Market, Challenges, Opportunities & What’s Ahead
Educational Program
Sessions include tracks for Contractors, Distribution/Supply Chain, Engineers, For Credit Courses, and New Product Theaters. The show will feature sessions led by industry experts, ranging from 20 minutes in the product theaters, and one to two hours for classroom sessions.
Sessions to Note
For contractors, “The Digital Revolution in HVAC: AI, Automation, and the Future of Customer Service,” explores strategies to integrate ‘digital coworkers’ into your business, enhancing efficiency and customer service by reviewing real-world examples of AI improving customer journeys and operations.
Distribution/Supply Chain professionals can learn how to “Revolutionizing Your Business with OpenAI,” as well as “Repair, Replacement or Maintenance: Which Strategy Aligns Best with Consumer Behavior?” This explores how consumer behavior drives better HVAC marketing outcomes by focusing on repairs, rather than installations.
Engineers also will get education on AI, with “Advancing AIDriven Microcontroller Solutions: Innovations and Applications.” Exploring hydrogen options, “Decarbonizing Commercial and Industrial Heating with Hydrogen,” that includes the current state of research for the California Energy Commission to define the upper practical limit of using H2 to decarbonize large commercial and industrial heating equipment currently using natural gas.
Find out more about the AHR Expo Education Program schedule at ahr25.mapyourshow.com
FILTREX™ 2025
(March 25-26, Vienna, Austria)
As a leading global association serving the nonwovens and related industries, EDANA holds its annual two-day filtration conference and exhibition to assemble management and technical specialists from the producers of all types of filter media, as well as converters of media, raw material suppliers, measuring equipment manufacturers, laboratories, and research institutions. The program provides updates on market trends in the filtration industry, innovative filter materials, new developments in media design, air/liquid filtration, automotive filtration, testing, and standardization.
A tabletop exhibition occurs parallel with the conference, as well as multiple networking opportunities. The 4th edition of the FILTREX™ Innovation Award is also presented at the event, recognizing outstanding achievements in nonwoven-based filtration products.
Keynotes
The event will feature two renowned keynote speakers to note. Dr.-Ing. Frank Möbius (right), Senior Innovation Advisor at UnternehmerTUM, and Former Head of Technology Management and Forecast at BMW Group, sharing insights on open innovation. He explores why Open Innovation is a crucial success factor for any kind of industry in these challenging times. He brings examples from the automotive industry, like BMW Group, who introduced Open Innovation in their organization, as well as shares what are the 10 most important steps to enhance your innovative power in the future.
Dr. Pero Mi ć i ć (left), Founder and CEO of FutureManagementGroup AG, discusses eight strategies to future-proof your business in his keynote.
Key Sessions to Note
Trends and technologies: Marc Schmidt, Vice President Technologies Europe - AAF-Lufttechnik discusses a positive outlook for filter manufacturers; Thomas Heininger, Director Engineering Filtration Material - MANN+HUMMEL, discusses the importance of considering the processes from raw material to filter element in a holistic view. And, Anthony Lawson, Senior Filtration Specialist – Hengst, reviews how regulations are the driver of innovation in filtration.
Media innovation: Simone Cerminara, Product Development & TCS Manager Turin, Filtration – Ahlstrom, shares on the dual layer for extended lifetime and reduced size of air intake
AHR
Images from EDANA
Roundtable discussions are led by key industry players who share thoughts and approaches to sustainability in filtration. After the presentations, the audience will break into groups to reflect on the topics from their own perspectives.
filters, and Günter Müller, Head of R&D – Sandler, explores use of specialty- and high-performance polymers for meltblown nonwovens.
Sustainability: Mood Ahmed, R&D Project Manager – Beaulieu Fibers International, talks about fibers that build futures – Innovative sustainable fiber solutions for filter media; Christopher Griffin, Director, Sustainability and Innovation – Johns Manville, reviews recycling and circular use of waste filters and filtration media; and, Umut Burak Dalbudak, Co-Founder – Texnova Tekstil speaks to the development of a biodegradable dust filter using biodegradable PET and BicoPET mono-material with sustainable needle punching production method.
PFAS: Björn Strelau, Director Global Product Management –Hollingsworth and Vose, shares about their HEPA filtration media with zero added PFAS for a cleaner world. Dorothea Slevogt, Senior Consulting Specialist – Schlegel und partner, explores navigating PFAS restrictions – including the expected roadmap for the PFAS restrictions in Europe, how PFAS restrictions change the filtration industry along the value chain, and the related market expectations and solutions. Josh Manasco, Director of Application and Business Development – Elmarco, speaks on electrospun membranes as green solutions.
Rounding out the event, Standards and Testing, and Media Innovation are topics of focused educational sessions. Additionally, roundtable discussions are led by key industry players who share thoughts and approaches to sustainability in filtration. After the presentations, the audience will break into groups to reflect on the topics from their own perspectives.
A highlight of EDANA events, peer networking amongst attendees is facilitated at a gathering at the elegant Kunsthistorisches Museum’s renowned Picture Gallery in Vienna, which houses one of the most outstanding collections of European art –featuring masterpieces by iconic artists such as Titian, Vermeer, Rembrandt, Brueghel, and Velázquez.
In conjunction with the conference, a tabletop exhibition will showcase cutting-edge products and services, providing delegates with valuable networking opportunities.
Find out more or register at www.edana.org/events/filtrex/ filtrex-europe.
FiltCon 2025 (April 1-3, Louisville, KY)
The annual gathering of the American Filtration and Separations Society (AFS) brings the scientific community’s most recent findings to light, along with a exposition to support a well-rounded educational event.
Location, Location, Location
Held at the beautiful, historic Galt House hotel in Louisville, Kentucky, on 4th & Main, the centrally located hotel offers guests the ability experience, immerse and delight in Louisville’s winning spirit. Easy access to the museum district, cultural center and Urban Bourbon Trail is a hallmark of this location. It remains Louisville’s only waterfront hotel.
Educational Programming
The AFS brings attendees together learn about research and ideas from the industry’s most formidable minds:
• Panel Session: “Advances and New Developments in Membrane/Filtration,” facilitated by Dr. Rigoberto Advincula (right). This session explores advances and new developments in membrane/ filtration. The panel will focus on state-of-the-art membrane technologies and studies relevant to the industry and academic research. They will look at membrane materials and sustainability, high-throughput and efficient technologies, and priorities in green technology and clean technology. There is a lot of interest on AI/ML for the industry and unconventional manufacturing methods.
• Plenary Session: “Multifunctional Membranes for Bio and Environmental Applications,” from Dibakar Bhattacharyya. Microfiltration membranes are widely used in particle filtration and bioreactors, but functionalizing their pores with macromolecules or charged hydrogels can enhance their capabilities. This advancement is crucial in gene therapy and vaccine development, offering a more efficient alternative to traditional methods like centrifugation. This presentation will cover membrane selection and functionalization to improve viral vector production, as well as techniques for treating complex water streams to recover valuable metals and capture toxins like PFAS.
• Plenary Session: “Advancing Filtration Technology for Personal Protective Equipment Applications,” from Jonathan Szalajda. This presentation will discuss, from a standards perspective, the application of filtration technologies in personal protective equipment and discuss research needs for future applications of filtration technology.
• Panel Session: “Standards or Modifications of Standards” –Dr. Thad Ptak.
The educational track follows its traditional tracks: Solid/Liquid, Applications, Air/Gas, and Research & Technical Fundamentals.
AFS is supportive of student university research, offering their annual Student Poster Competition, with presentations in the afternoon on April 2, 2025. Dr. Wenping Li, Agrilectric Research, is the Student Poster Chair.
Before the event, AFS offers short course training sessions in 11 areas of focus. These are led by experts in each area and offer attendees the ability to acquire necessary CEUs.
Keep an eye on the AFS website for ongoing updates to information and to register. Visit www.afssociety.org/filtcon-2025.
INTERPHEX 25 (April 1-3, Javits Center, New York)
FiltXPO™ (April 29-May 1, Miami Beach, FL)
FiltXPO™ is the International Filtration Conference & Exhibition hosted by INDA, the Association of the Nonwoven Fabrics Industry, where industry professionals convene for the latest technologies, innovations, and filtration intelligence.
Immerse yourself in the next generation of filtration technologies and innovations at the expo, as close to 100 world-class exhibitors demonstrate their contributions to all aspects of the vital industry supply chain. Their latest developments and intelligence are driving the filtration market forward to the future.
INTERPHEX is a global pharmaceutical and biotechnology event that fuses industry innovation with expert-led conference. It offers an expansive exhibition floor of over 500 companies showcasing cutting-edge products and services from industry leaders, including opportunities in filtration such as clean room equipment, and filtration methods such as surface filtration, depth filtration, ultrafiltration, microfiltration, and reverse osmosis.
Engage with leading experts during scientifically vetted education sessions, discover live demonstrations of machinery and equipment from a diverse offering of exhibitors, and forge valuable connections at INTERPHEX. This year’s program topics range from new manufacturing technologies, drug product acceleration, global access to medicines, dosage forms, CMC challenges, and solutions to supply chain challenges. INTERPHEX Show Floor Education Content is designed to elevate industry knowledge and collaboration for all badge types. The Contract Stage, centrally located in the Contract Zone, serves as a hub for CMO/CDMO companies, celebrating innovation and excellence in pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical contract manufacturing. The Tech Theaters offer
an engaging platform where exhibitors demonstrate groundbreaking technologies and advancements, providing attendees with an up-close look at the future of the industry. Meanwhile, the all-new Community Talks Theater delivers thought-provoking discussions. Together, these stages create a dynamic environment for learning, networking, and discovering solutions to drive the industry forward.
Educational tracks include “Advanced Manufacturing” and “Ensuring Access to Innovative Medicines.” Of note to filtration professionals, “Theme 1 – New Manufacturing Technologies” –focuses on innovative manufacturing technologies that enhance pharmaceutical production’s efficiency, accuracy, and quality. Find more details at www.interphex.com.
The Advances in Filtration Conference at FiltXPO is coorganized by INDA and AFS, American Filtration & Separations Society. It aims to provide the opportunity for professionals to experience both an outstanding industrial conference and trade show. It covers the following key topics: Nonwovens and filtration for healthy buildings; Nonwovens and filtration for Data Centers; Nonwovens and filtration for e-mobility; Sustainability and Circularity for Filtration; and Innovations meeting the current challenges of filtration.
There will be general plenary talks and panel discussions. In addition, a broad range of topics will be covered either to join as a subject matter expert or to explore new areas.
A new addition for the Conference is technical posters, featuring the latest innovations, presented by subject matter experts and/or research institutes.
The event also includes INDA’s Filter Media Short Course, a two-day training designed to provide a strong technical overview of nonwovens and their applications in both air and liquid filtration, technology options, unmet needs, and trends for future development. Charging options, including corona, hydro and triboelectric, will also be covered. This is an intensive course designed for professionals who would like to learn more about the development, testing, and application of nonwovens in filtration.
Short Course instructors include Behnam Pourdeyhimi, Ph.D., Professor and Executive Director, NC State University/
The Nonwovens Institute (NWI); Benoit Maze, Ph.D., Director of Education and Administration, The Nonwovens Institute (NWI); and, Hooman Tafreshi, Ph.D., Professor, Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Director of Research, NC State University/ The Nonwovens Institute (NWI).
This year, FiltXPO™ is co-located with the IDEA® 25 show (ideashow.org), a gathering of the industry to discuss the future of nonwoven materials, their applications, and how they will shape both form and function in various market sectors. Both expo show floors share the event theme of sustainability and circularity.
The show also includes the first-ever FiltXPO™ Innovation Award, recognizing innovation within the filtration value chain particularly those that utilize nonwoven fabric/technology.
Professionals in Research and Development, Product Development, Marketing and Product Managers, Technical Sales, Technical Support, and Testing and Quality Control are encouraged to attend. To register for the event or to learn more about the event program as it develops, visit www.filtxpo.com.
14th WFC (June 30-July 4, Bourdeaux, France)
in the liquid phase. The focus of the work is on filtration, centrifugation as well as mixing technology and agglomeration. For a holistic view of the materials examined, characterization technologies (like µCT, NMR or SAXS) and simulation methods (as DEM, CFD, Lattice Boltzmann, flow sheet simulation, or AI) are used to map digital process chains which help to design new machines and devices with the focus on improving specific goals such as raw material and energy efficiency in use.
Christine Sun on Advanced Filter Media Technologies, Trends, and Opportunities. This presentation will explore the latest advancements in filter media technologies, with a focus on innovations in nonwovens, nanofibers, membranes, and other sustainable materials. Key trends such as continuous sustainable development, smart filtration systems, AI-driven optimization, PFAS-free technologies, and eco-friendly solutions will also be discussed.
The aim of the World Filtration Congress (WFC) is to create a meeting place for scientists, engineers, and applicators from all over the world, specialists in filtration and separative techniques, to discuss the latest advances in science and technology. Held every 3 to 4 years in a member country of the International Delegation on Filtration, these events have enabled the development of processes in line with the socio-economic challenges of each era.
The 14th Congress will provide an opportunity to discuss the technical and scientific challenges and innovations in the field of fluid-particle separations. The scientific committee is keen to highlight the involvement of all these processes in environmental and sustainable development issues. Particular attention will be paid to a fast-growing area, the valorization of natural resources, in line with the biorefinery concept, of biosourced molecules to replace petrochemical products. Filtration and separative techniques for more sustainable processes, as well as water, climate, and energy issues will also be addressed.
The trade show will enable visitors to discover the innovations on display and to take advantage of discussions and debates with other professionals. Exchanges between academic researchers and industrial partners will be intensified through specific communications open to exhibitors, or through the creation of meeting spaces. The expected number of participants is 150 exhibitors and 700 scientific researchers.
Plenary Lectures
Hermann Nirschl on Autonomous Processing in Separation Technologies. The research group ‘process machines’ of the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology deals with particle production or particle processing
Hervé Buisson on Water Filtration: Challenges and Opportunities in the Age of Sustainability. This presentation will explore innovations in water filtration, from incremental improvements to disruptive technologies to meet these challenges. Through real-world examples of products, projects, and applications, he will illustrate some of the needs and opportunities the industry is facing.
Kenneth Winston on a look at the technology drivers and projects today, including technologies for reducing and reusing Carbon Dioxide to Green and Renewable Fuels & Chemicals. This presentation will look at modern gas processing innovations and technologies for carbon capture and reuse, renewable energies, green fuels and chemicals in fast-moving projects that focus on ecological footprint and costs.
Educational tracks on Gas Separation, Membrane Separation, Liquid Separation, plus Sustainable Development and Water will be announced in the coming days.
For more information, visit wfc14.com.
WEFTEC 2025, September 27-October 1, Chicago, IL
Plans for the annual Water Environment Federation’s WEFTEC 5-day event are underway. The event information is not yet available but is one to put on the calendar if you are a water quality professional. The event draws on average 21,000 participants and 1,000+ exhibitors who connect through over 120 technical sessions, 17 workshops and 6 facility tours. The WEFTEC 2025 “Schedule at a Glance” will be posted by March 31, 2025, at www.weftec.org/program/learn-about-education/ schedule-at-a-glance/.
FILTRATION on Display
The Essential Role of Nonwovens in Filtration Underlined at FILTECH
By Adrian Wilson, International Correspondent, IFN
The latest developments in engineered nonwoven media for air, liquid and gas filtration were showcased at the recent FILTECH exhibition which took place in Cologne, Germany, from November 12-14, 2024.
It was particularly notable at the show that the integration of nanofiber particles and webs into nonwovens is gaining increasing importance and in addition, filter media pleating – a process unique to the industry – is becoming ever more widely adopted as technology suppliers increase performance speeds. The accommodation of sustainable raw materials as an alternative to synthetics into systems was another key theme.
Cleaner Electrospun Media
As the leading provider of nanofiber technology with its NanoSpider system, Czech Republic-headquartered Elmarco reported that it has now extensively trialed and tested the use of many renewable feedstocks and environmentally friendly solvents in the production of electrospun nanofibers.
The company advises, however, that there are specific challenges associated with scaling up, mainly to do with the volumes of solvents required for processing, which in turn further emphasizes the need for process optimization. This comes from gaps in the fundamental understanding of how the electrospinning process works for fibers on the nanoscale, making it difficult to predict the
types of interactions between a polymer and solvent pairing.
Elmarco can provide support and guidance to help reduce the costly burden of research and development for creating or adapting a new electrospinning process for new polymers or solvents.
Sustainable Polymers
The sustainable polymers Elmarco already has experience with include PETG, a cost-effective polyester derivative as an eco-friendly alternative to PET which eliminates the need for processing with fluorinated solvents. PETG’s versatility allows it to be functionalized, making it ideal for specific applications, and it can be spun into thinner structures than traditional PET. Polylactic acid (PLA) and polycaprolactone (PL) are other biobased
polymers, with PLA being particularly biocompatible for numerous biomedical applications, while TPU and polyamides boast excellent strength and chemical resistance, making them well-suited for certain applications, particularly in the realm of wound compatibility. Their electrospinning enables the creation of very small fiber dimensions and they exhibit high solubility.
Cellulose can also be electrospun into ultrafine fibers as small as 300nm, possessing low thermal expansion while remaining lightweight yet strong, while chitosan is a bio-based polymer with excellent water uptake properties and is used to form hydrogels. Bioactive compounds can also be incorporated for use in medical compounds and wound treatment.
The Elmarco team at FILTECH. Elmarco
Solvents
Green solvents offer the potential to replace toxic substances or those derived from petrochemicals in electrospinning, yet there are still certain barriers to their widespread adoption, Elmarco advises.
Challenges in their sensitivity to environmental conditions leads to complexities in their utilization and there is a need for further process optimization. Nevertheless, green solvents have been used to produce nanofibers with desirable traits such as air permeability, repellency and enhanced filtration capabilities and some can be seamlessly integrated into advanced electrospinning techniques for the creation of functionalized nanofibers.
How well a specific polymer/solvent combination spins depends on the type of solvent-polymer interaction, and in this context, solubility emerges as a critical factor in identifying compatible combinations.
The solvent must effectively dissolve the starting polymer materials and various fluid properties, including viscosity, surface tension, elasticity and conductivity, significantly influence the ultimate properties of the fibers. When the Taylor cone is formed during the electrospinning process, for example, it is the Rayleigh instability that determines when capillary breakup occurs. To avoid unwanted breakup, it is important to find combinations of solvents with the right surface tension to match the viscoelasticity of the polymers related to the polymer concentration being used. Elmarco is now well positioned to advise on such challenges,
Over 600 Machines
Another key manufacturer of electrospinning technology is Inovenso, with headquarters in Istanbul, Turkey and Incheon, South Korea, which has now sold laboratory, pilot and industrial-scale systems machines to over 600 institutions, universities and companies in more than 60 countries to date.
In 2017, Inovenso operations in Boston, Massachusetts were established to provide dedicated services to North American customers. At its Boston laboratory,
production machines, alongside fully outfitted laboratories.
The company’s key products include MatriNova for soft tissue repair, which establishes a non-biological, antimicrobial and programmable fiber matrix similar to the human extracellular matrix. Unlike other synthetic materials, MatriNova is said to break down into amino acids and does not produce acidic by-products that cause tissue inflammation. The new biomedical nanofiber structure promotes tissue growth while preserving strength and flexibility, presenting a new approach for the $20 billion soft-tissue repair market and shifting away from traditional xenografts, allografts and synthetic tissue-engineered scaffolds.
the company also offers R&D services and demonstrations.
“Inovenso’s proprietary high-capacity Open Surface and StreamSpinner technologies open up new possibilities for applications in various industries,” said the company’s sales specialist Becky Tunio. These machines are characterized by a smart dynamic feeding system that provides extremely homogenous production and precise adjustment of the flow rate, while their software sets the desired thickness by automatically adjusting flow rates and winding speeds. The patent pending technologies are compatible with a wide viscosity range of polymeric solutions.
Matregenix Expansion
A new developer of both nanofibers and new machines for their production is Matregenix, founded in 2018.
In 2024 the company moved into a bigger facility in Mission Viejo, California, housing state-of-the-art clean rooms designed for clinical-grade manufacturing on a range of its proprietary nanofiber
Turbo Technology
Matregenix says its proprietary technology also overcomes the challenges of consistency and scalability with electrospinning.
The company’s industrial-scale machines are modular, supporting both needle-based and needleless technologies. The Matregenix Turbo needleless moving head feeds a slit spinneret electrode connected to high voltage of up to 120 kv, allowing nanofibers to form from the thin polymer layer on the spinning electrode.
The roll-to-roll machine is available in working widths of up to 1.6 meters and can achieve speeds of up to 25 meters per minute.
Integrated Nanofibers
In other media developments, Mativ brand Gessner has developed MecNa, which unlike many nonwovens incorporating layers of continuous electrospun fibers, is characterized by individual nanofibers directly integrated into the nonwoven at formation stage, to enhance both durability and performance.
This media was initially developed in response to the Covid-19 pandemic, when guaranteed efficiency for critical healthcare-related filtration applications became essential.
Inovenso sales specialist Becky Tunio at the show. A.Wilson
In 2024 Matregenix moved into a bigger facility in Mission Viejo, California. Matregenix
t Gessner is saturating wet-laid nonwoven cellulose filter media with lignin-based resins, as opposed to commonly-used phenolic products. Gessner
The 3D nanofiber structured construction of MecNa overcomes the typical limitations of the reduced lifespan of filter elements due to low dust capacity, ensuring high initial resistance to airflow. Additionally, since it relies on mechanical filtration, there is no drop in particle removal efficiency as is often experienced with electrostatic filter media. As such, MecNa ensures the consistent delivery of clean and purified air, seamlessly adapting to a diverse array of environments for both conventional and challenging settings like HVAC systems, industrial air filtration and clean rooms.
Lignin
Gessner is now saturating its wet-laid nonwoven cellulose filter media with lignin-based resins, as opposed to commonly-used phenolic products.
Lignin is a natural polymer found in the cell walls of plants, providing structural support and rigidity. Initial calculations show that the new lignin-saturated filter media offers a much lower carbon footprint. The cellulose-lignin media
are currently being employed in various automotive filter media applications, including engine air intake, oil and fuel filtration, but are not limited to these. The use of the lignin also decreases formaldehyde emissions during the curing process.
Cabin Air and Alternative Drives
Tier 1 automotive industry supplier Mann+Hummel, headquartered in Ludwigsburg, Germany, is also now incorporating nanofiber layers into its cabin air filters for vehicles.
The layers increase mechanical separation to ensure that the performance of the filters remains consistently high over their service life. PM1 and ultra-fine particles, which can pose serious health risks due to their size, are effectively removed from the air.
Mann+Hummel is also developing solutions for alternative vehicle drives such as a new flat cathode air filter element developed to achieve optimum air quality and performance in fuel cell systems. This efficiently removes harmful gases from the cathode air path and protects the system from contamination and consists of four components. The first and second stages are a synthetic nonwoven for pre-separation and a cellulose particle filter element for high dust holding capacity. This is followed by an adsorption filter that efficiently removes harmful gases such as sulfur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen oxides (NOx) and ammonia (NH3), while a synthetic layer on the clean side ensures high cumulative clean mass (CCM) performance in respect of removing particulate matter.
Ionization and Polarization
Another major German-headquartered Tier 1 supplier to the automotive industry – and rapidly expanding into other fields – is Münster-headquartered Hengst.
This company’s Blue.ion automotive cabin air filter achieves advanced purification through a combination of ionization of airflow particles and polarization of the filter media.
The ionizer ensures that the particles are electrostatically charged and makes them easier to filter via the media that is also charged. Ionization alone, however, will reduce the charge in the filter over time and lead to reduced particle separation. It’s at this point that polarization has a complementary effect. By building up an electrostatic field, the charge in the media is permanently maintained, ensuring consistently high filtration over the entire service life. This provides maximum protection against pollutants, viruses and allergens and makes a significant contribution to a healthy and hygienic interior climate in the vehicle. In addition, the filter has a compact design, requires little energy for the fan and produces only low noise emissions.
Resource Savings
Among a range of resource-saving developments for other sectors, Hengst has developed a replaceable filter concept for the vacuum cleaners of BSH Hausgeräte – the largest manufacturer of home appliances in Europe.
Hengst product manager Markus Wilkens outlined the company’s resource-saving concepts for industry. A. Wilson
Mann+Hummel showcased a wide range of transportation filter options in Cologne. A. Wilson
The plastic filter cassette is designed as a high-quality service life component and only the flat-fold filter, including the seal need to be replaced when necessary, to reduce the amount of waste. Resourcesaving recyclate is used as the base material for the frame, and the packaging is also FSC-certified.
Grünbeck water filters are another example of sustainable with the filter media and end caps welded directly to each other, eliminating the need for adhesives.
“Every application has its own challenges, which can be solved with the right filters and the appropriate know-how, and our approach to sustainability is through intelligent production processes and product designs,” said Hengst product manager Markus Wilkens.
ProLine Double Gradients
Typically, to achieve higher dirt-holding capacity for a given efficiency, a filter
q Hollingsworth & Vose introduced the PlusZero range of high-performance media manufactured without using ‘forever chemicals.’ A. Wilson
media is designed to be dual phase, with a gradient density in the Z direction.
Now, however, Hollingsworth and Vose has developed and patented a new media called ProLine which not only provides gradience in density, but also in fiber orientation.
The result is a significant improvement in dirt-holding capacity and air permeability for a given required efficiency.
A substantial rearrangement of the fibers in ProLine media generates both a higher surface area and new channels for air and liquid contamination capture. As a result, filter elements produced with it can also offer a significant improvement in both service life and/or pressure drop, or a combination of both.
This enables the basis weight of a specific ProLine media to be modified for an equivalent performance with lower media consumption in the filter. The initial development of the ProLine is focused on applications in hydraulics and fuel and engine air filtration.
PFAS Zero
Also new from H&V is the PlusZero range of high-performance media manufactured without using PFAS, or ‘forever chemicals.’
A2Z Technologies displayed endless pleating options with its cost effective range of technologies.
A. Wilson
“After years of research, we have developed a line of zero added PFAS solutions that are not only better for the environment, but smart for business,” said Mike Clark, H&V’s division president. “PlusZero solutions will deliver the same high performance in most applications and largely carry the same price as their legacy counterparts.”
Pleating Machines
Through pleating, filters can offer increased surface area and density without impacting airflow, enabling more particles to be collected without increasing pressure drop or energy consumption.
The developers of pleating technology are continuing to enhance their machines and at FILTECH Switzerland’s JCEM demonstrated its latest P7 heavy-duty speed pleater for multi-layer mesh pleating with a fully automatic inline slitter blade changer, enabling slit widths to be changed without any operator involvement and without the removal of material.
JCEM’s latest P8 model can insert up to 500 25-40mm pleats into a media per minute, for a machine throughput of approximately 30m/min.
Length-Wise Cutting
Similarly, Germany’s Roth Composite Machinery introduced its new MFM3-S servo-driven knife pleating machine with a high degree of automation and maximum speed of 510 pleats per minute and the company also presented a swiveling length-wise cutting system for knife pleating machines.
This enables an increase in production output, since the maximum width of the filter material is fed into the machine and the filters are cut through in individual widths lengthwise to the material web.
“If a customer wants to produce ten centimeter high filters, ten times the amount of filters can be obtained in one production run with a filter material of one metre width, compared to production with only one filter height,” explained senior sales manager Winfried Schäfer. “This is why length cutting systems are establishing themselves on the market and for better and risk-free handling in the production process, we have further developed the positioning of the cutter in the machine which brings a number of advantages.
“The operator can swivel the table by 90 degrees so that the cutter practically swings out of the machine. The swivel position is deliberately chosen at the centre of gravity of the infeed table so that the swiveling process can be carried out easily. The operator can make the necessary adjustments on the length cutter directly and without physical exertion.”
The cutting system is based on the principle of scissor cutting and works with round lower and upper knives. These run at a speed set by the machine corresponding to the folding speed.
Variations
Versatility is meanwhile the key to the portfolio of India’s A2Z Technologies for cost-effective filter pleating, including blade, rotary, servo, star and mini pleating systems, as well as custom and hybrid solutions. A2Z specializes in working closely with its customers to identify the correct process to meet pleating needs.
At FILTECH, the company demonstrated the high speed A2Z mini pleat line with a foamed hotmelt system which enables a variety of media including glass fibres as well as synthetics to be processed, with change overs for pleat depth and pitch and hot melt patterns on the fly. The operator can save and access up to 2,500 stored product variations, allowing multiple combinations/part numbers to be produced. The machine’s unique flexible design helps filter manufacturers widen their product range and meet the market’s ever-changing needs.
Adrian Wilson is an international correspondent for International Filtration News . He is a leading journalist covering fiber, filtration, nonwovens and technical textiles. He can be reached at adawilson@gmail.com.
Roth demonstrated the latest developments in advanced pleating technology. A. Wilson
Cleanova Expands Product Offering with Acquisition of Allied Filter
Cleanova, a clean tech, market-leading global manufacturer of industrial filtration systems, announced the successful acquisition of Allied Filter Systems Group Limited, and its subsidiaries, a leading European manufacturer of high-performance aftermarket filter bags and filter vessels for process industries based in the UK.
Headquartered in Irlam, in the Manchester area, Allied Filter is committed to producing high quality liquid filtration systems and has established a strong reputation for innovation, reliability and best-in-class customer service. Its values strongly reflect Cleanova’s focus on pioneering advanced filtration solutions while maintaining a steadfast commitment to its customers.
Allied Filter operates from three UK manufacturing facilities that blend innovative, custom-designed production techniques and traditional manufacturing methods.
Cleanova, a portfolio company of PX3 Partners, the London headquartered private equity firm, leverages innovative thinking and established technology to deliver cutting-edge filtration solutions. The acquisition of Allied Filter supports Cleanova’s strategic vision to expand globally and solidify its leadership in the industrial filtration market. This transaction reflects Cleanova’s commitment to growth, innovation, and delivering superior products while strengthening its presence in the European market, broadening its end-market diversification, and enhancing its focus on aftermarket capabilities. www.cleanova.com
Axius Water® Acquires Aero-Mod, a Leader in Mechanical and Biological Treatment
AMetso Receives Large Filtration Equipment Order from India
Metso has received an order to deliver sustainable filtration technology for a long-distance iron ore slurry pipeline project. The technology will be used for concentrate filtration to produce iron ore pellets from pellet plants in India. The order value, which is not disclosed, is booked in the Minerals segment’s 2024 fourth-quarter orders received.
Metso’s scope of delivery consists of the engineering, manufacturing and supply of 16 Larox® FFP3512 filters, slurry feed and filtrate pumps, as well as installation and commissioning advisory services and spare parts.
The fully automatic, fast-opening filter press (FFP) is part of the Metso Plus offering. The filter combines the benefits of membrane technology with hole-less filter cloths and sidebar design with high mechanical and process performance, providing safe and sustainable high-volume dewatering of concentrate with low operating and life cycle costs. www.metso.com
xius Water, a leading provider of nutrient management solutions for municipal and industrial wastewater treatment facilities, announced that it has acquired Aero-Mod, a leading supplier of proprietary mechanical/biological wastewater treatment systems based in Manhattan, KS. This acquisition enables Axius to further expand its nutrient removal solutions for water and wastewater.
Specializing in smaller, low-to-medium-flow volume applications, Aero-Mod provides end to end packaged mechanical treatment plants for a variety of municipal and industrial customers.
According to Chris McIntire, Axius Water CEO, “Aero-Mod comes to us with a reputation for exceptional customer support combined with simple, scalable solutions that are cost efficient. These attributes differentiate Aero-Mod from their peers and make them a good strategic fit for Axius.”
Todd L. Steinbach, Aero-Mod President, stated, “Since 1981, Aero-Mod has built significant expertise and has completed more than five hundred installations. We are thrilled to begin a new chapter as part of Axius to support our shared mission of stopping nutrient pollution and collaborate with Axius’ industry experts.”
Aero-Mod’s technology highlights include the patented Sequox® process which includes alternating aerobic and anoxic cycles plus clarification capabilities for BOD removal, nitrification, denitrification and biological phosphorus removal. www.axiswater.com
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Applied Industrial Technologies Completes Acquisition of Hydradyne, LLC
Applied Industrial Technologies announced it completed the acquisition of Hydradyne, LLC on December 31, 2024. Based in Dallas, Texas with locations across the Southeastern U.S., Hydradyne is a premier provider of fluid power solutions with advanced service capabilities and product offerings in hydraulics, pneumatics, electromechanical, instrumentation, filtration, and fluid conveyance.
Neil A. Schrimsher, President & Chief Executive Officer for Applied, commented, “We are excited to announce the completion of this acquisition and officially welcome Hydradyne to the Applied team. This transaction will enhance our leading fluid power distribution position in the U.S. by leveraging complementary technical capabilities and innovative engineered solutions across legacy and emerging end markets.
Applied affirms it expects the acquisition will contribute approximately $260 million in sales and $30 million in EBITDA before anticipated synergies, as well as be accretive to EPS, within the first 12 months of ownership prior to transaction-related expenses and the impact of purchase accounting adjustments. Additional financial and operational details, including EPS accretion guidance, will be provided when it reports fiscal 2025 second quarter results later this month. www.applied.com
Vytal Filtration Technologies Acquires General Filtration
VYTAL Filtration Technologies in Canada, a leader in innovative filtration solutions, announced the acquisition of General Filtration, a trusted name in industrial filtration with over 65 years experience in the brewing, food and beverage, water treatment, chemical, power generation, mining, and petrochemical markets. This strategic acquisition solidifies VYTAL’s position as a comprehensive provider of filtration solutions, further extending its reach into the food and beverage industry.
With VYTAL’s expansive network across North America and General Filtration’s decades of expertise, the combined organizations are uniquely positioned to deliver innovative solutions to meet evolving customer demands. This collaboration enhances both companies’ capabilities and underscores their shared commitment to supporting customers with tailored, high-quality filtration technologies.
The integration of General Filtration’s renowned products into VYTAL’s portfolio offers customers a seamless blend of innovative filtration options. Moving forward, General Filtration will operate as General Filtration, a Vytal Company. Together, the companies look forward to delivering enhanced value through a unified commitment to excellence and problem-solving in the filtration industry. https://vytal.ca
