The service life of a filter without separators is not a fixed value. It is usually affected by factors such as the usage environment, filtration load, and maintenance methods, and generally ranges from 6 months to 3 years. The following is a detailed explanation from three aspects: key influencing factors, typical scenario lifespan, and methods to extend lifespan
I. Core Factors Affecting Service Life
Environmental dust content
If the concentration of dust and particulate matter in the air of the application scenario is high (such as in food processing workshops, ordinary industrial areas), the filter material will quickly accumulate dust, the resistance will rise to the upper limit (usually 2-3 times the initial resistance), and the service life may be shortened to 6-12 months.
If the environmental cleanliness is high (such as in semiconductor cleanrooms or operating rooms), the dust content is extremely low (≤0.1μm particle count ≤10 /m³), the filter material load is small, and the service life can be extended to 2-3 years.
Operating air volume and air velocity
When the actual operating air volume exceeds the designed air volume, the erosion of the filter material by the airflow intensifies, the dust accumulation speed increases, and it may also cause the filter material to deform and shorten its service life.
Excessively high wind speed (such as over 1.5m/s) will increase the kinetic energy of particles that collide with the filter material, making fine dust more likely to penetrate deep into the filter material and accelerating the increase in resistance.
Filter material and efficiency grade
High-efficiency (H13-H14 grades) filter media have a higher dust-holding capacity than ultra-high-efficiency (U15-U17 grades) filter media (ultra-high-efficiency filter media have smaller pore sizes and are prone to clogging). Therefore, under the same conditions, the service life of H-class filters may be 30% to 50% longer than that of U-class filters.
The dust-holding capacity of glass fiber filter material is superior to that of chemical fiber filter material, and its service life is relatively longer. However, chemical fiber filter material has better moisture resistance and is suitable for high-humidity environments.
Maintain the pre-filtration system.
If a pre-filter (G4 grade) or a medium-efficiency filter (F8 grade) is not installed at the front end, a large amount of large particle dust will directly enter the non-woven filter, which will quickly clog the filter material, and its service life may be shortened to 3 to 6 months.
Regular cleaning or replacement of the pre-filter can significantly extend the service life of the filter without separators (usually by more than 50%).
Environmental temperature and humidity
High temperatures (above 60℃) will accelerate the aging of the rubber lines of the filter material, causing the filter material to fall off. High humidity (relative humidity > 80%) may cause the filter material to become damp and clumped, and the resistance will abnormally increase. Both will shorten the service life.
Ii. Reference for Service Life in Typical Scenarios
Application scenario: Environmental dust content (number of particles ≥0.5μm), expected service life of the pre-filter configuration
Semiconductor cleanroom (ISO Class 3) ≤10 units /m³, pre-filtered (G4) + medium-efficiency (F9) for 2-3 years
The pre-filtration (G4) + medium-efficiency (F8) for hospital operating rooms is 100 to 1,000 units per cubic meter for 1.5 to 2 years.
Pharmaceutical workshop (Class D): 1000- 10,000 units /m³ pre-filtration (G3) + medium efficiency (F7) for 1-1.5 years
The food packaging workshop only requires pre-filtration (G3) for 6 to 12 months, with a capacity of 10,000 to 100,000 units per cubic meter.
For general laboratories, 100,000 to 500,000 units per cubic meter without or with simple filtration for 3 to 6 months
Iii. Criteria for Determining whether Replacement is Necessary
Resistance determination: When the operating resistance of the filter reaches 2 to 2.5 times the initial resistance (for example, the initial resistance is 180Pa, but it reaches 360 to 450Pa), it needs to be replaced; otherwise, it will lead to a decrease in air volume and a sharp increase in energy consumption.
Efficiency attenuation: The particle concentration at the air outlet is detected by a particle counter. If it exceeds the design standard (for example, the cleanroom requirement is ≤100 particles /m³, but the actual detection is 500 particles /m³), even if the resistance does not meet the standard, it needs to be replaced.
Physical damage: If the filter material is damaged, the rubber line falls off, the frame deforms, etc., it should be replaced immediately to prevent the leakage of contaminants.
Iv. Suggestions for Extending Service Life
Strictly configure the pre-stage filtration system (at least a G4+F8 combination) to intercept large particle dust.
Control the operating air volume within the design range (avoid operating beyond the wind speed limit), and regularly check whether the fan air pressure is stable.
Keep the environmental temperature and humidity within the tolerance range of the filter material (temperature ≤60℃, humidity ≤70%).
Regularly (every 1 to 3 months) test the filter resistance, record the changing trend, and plan the replacement cycle.
In conclusion, the lifespan of the filter without separators needs to be dynamically evaluated in combination with the actual working conditions. Reasonable maintenance can maximize its application value and avoid cost waste due to premature replacement or impact on cleanliness due to late replacement.