The application life of high-efficiency filters in livestock farms is affected by factors such as environmental conditions, maintenance level and filter type. Generally, it is recommended to replace them every 6 months to 2 years. The following is the specific analysis:
I. Core Basis and Industry Standards
I. Core Basis and Industry Standards
According to the “Technical Specification for Air Filtration System in Pig Farms” (NY/T 3883-2021), the mandatory replacement conditions for high-efficiency filters (H13 grade) are:
Pressure difference ≥150Pa (2 to 3 times the initial resistance);
It has been used for 12 months.
This standard is applicable to high biosecurity areas such as breeding pig houses and piglet nursery houses. For instance, the actual measurement data from Muyuan Group shows that in an environment with a PM2.5 concentration greater than 75μg/m³, the effective retention period of high-efficiency filters can be shortened to 8 to 10 months.
Ii. Key Influencing Factors and Differences
Biosafety level
Low-biosafety farms (with pig farms within a 3-kilometer radius) : It is recommended to replace them every six months to reduce the risk of virus transmission.
High biosafety sites (independent sites) : The replacement period can be extended to 12 months, but it needs to be dynamically adjusted in combination with differential pressure monitoring.
Environmental load
Dust concentration: In high-dust areas (such as the sandsand-prone areas in North China), the replacement cycle should be shortened by 20%, for example, adjusted from 12 months to 9-10 months.
Humidity: During the rainy season in South China, filter materials are prone to corrosion. It is recommended to replace them one month in advance.
Pathogen contamination: After the occurrence of blue ear disease and other epidemics, the filtration efficiency should be replaced immediately and tested (the retention rate for 0.3μm particles should be ≥99.95%).
Filter type and material
Composite fiber filter element: Currently, 90% of pig farms worldwide use this material. Due to its outstanding moisture resistance, low resistance and wear resistance, it performs stably in high-humidity and icy regions, with a service life of up to 12 to 24 months.
Glass fiber filter elements: Although they have a high filtration efficiency (≥99.97%), they have poor wear resistance and high air resistance, and have gradually been phased out by livestock farms.
Maintain and pre-filter effects
Pre-filter protection: The primary filter (G4 grade) should be replaced every two months or in advance when the pressure difference is ≥45Pa, which can extend the service life of the high-efficiency filter by 2-3 times. For instance, a 3,000-sow farm reduced the cost of filter replacement by 22% in 2023 through intelligent monitoring and optimized maintenance.
Differential pressure monitoring: Install differential pressure sensors (such as 40Pa for primary efficiency and 130Pa for high-efficiency automatic alarm), which can accurately predict the replacement timing and avoid a sharp increase in energy consumption due to excessive use.
Iii. Actual Cases and Typical Cycles
Pig farm
General nursery: 6 to 12 months (adjusted according to the amount of dust).
Intelligent pig farms: Through dynamic monitoring via the Internet of Things platform, the lifespan of high-efficiency filters in some cases has been extended to 18-24 months.
Poultry farm
SPF chicken barrier facilities: For brooding and growing chicken houses, they should be replaced every 1 to 1.5 years. For adult chicken houses, they should be replaced every batch (approximately 72 weeks).
For ordinary chicken coops: It is recommended to replace them every 8 to 12 months. For high-risk areas of pathogens, the replacement period should be shortened to 6 months.
Extreme environment
Industrial-grade dust workshops: such as welding and cement production environments, the lifespan of high-efficiency filters is only 3 to 6 months, but the environment of livestock farms is usually better than such scenarios.
Iv. Maintenance and Replacement Suggestions
Daily maintenance
The primary filter should be cleaned once a month, and the medium filter should be replaced every 3 to 6 months.
Regularly check whether the sealant of the filter has softened and whether the filter material has become moldy. Special attention should be paid to the inspection before the high-humidity season.
Change operation
When replacing, retain 10% of the old filter as a biosafety transition to prevent sudden changes in air flow from causing stress in animals.
Old filters need to be sealed to prevent the spread of pathogens. It is recommended to entrust a professional institution for disposal.
Cost optimization
By adopting the combination of “primary efficiency (washable) + high efficiency (sterilizable)”, the cost of consumables can be reduced by 30%.
Choose standardized size filters (such as 24″×24″) to avoid the risk of supply disruption caused by customization.
V. Summary
The reasonable usage cycle of high-efficiency filters in breeding farms should follow the principle of “standards as the foundation, monitoring as the main approach, and dynamic adjustment”
The basic cycle for H13 high-efficiency filters is typically 12 months, but it needs to be determined in combination with differential pressure monitoring (final resistance ≥150Pa).
Flexible adjustment: In environments with high dust, high humidity or low biosafety, it is recommended to shorten the period to 6-10 months. Well-maintained high-safety pig farms can extend the period to 18 to 24 months.
Core objective: Through scientific management, to balance filtration efficiency and operational costs while ensuring biosafety.
Pressure difference ≥150Pa (2 to 3 times the initial resistance);
It has been used for 12 months.
This standard is applicable to high biosecurity areas such as breeding pig houses and piglet nursery houses. For instance, the actual measurement data from Muyuan Group shows that in an environment with a PM2.5 concentration greater than 75μg/m³, the effective retention period of high-efficiency filters can be shortened to 8 to 10 months.
Ii. Key Influencing Factors and Differences
Biosafety level
Low-biosafety farms (with pig farms within a 3-kilometer radius) : It is recommended to replace them every six months to reduce the risk of virus transmission.
High biosafety sites (independent sites) : The replacement period can be extended to 12 months, but it needs to be dynamically adjusted in combination with differential pressure monitoring.
Environmental load
Dust concentration: In high-dust areas (such as the sandsand-prone areas in North China), the replacement cycle should be shortened by 20%, for example, adjusted from 12 months to 9-10 months.
Humidity: During the rainy season in South China, filter materials are prone to corrosion. It is recommended to replace them one month in advance.
Pathogen contamination: After the occurrence of blue ear disease and other epidemics, the filtration efficiency should be replaced immediately and tested (the retention rate for 0.3μm particles should be ≥99.95%).
Filter type and material
Composite fiber filter element: Currently, 90% of pig farms worldwide use this material. Due to its outstanding moisture resistance, low resistance and wear resistance, it performs stably in high-humidity and icy regions, with a service life of up to 12 to 24 months.
Glass fiber filter elements: Although they have a high filtration efficiency (≥99.97%), they have poor wear resistance and high air resistance, and have gradually been phased out by livestock farms.
Maintain and pre-filter effects
Pre-filter protection: The primary filter (G4 grade) should be replaced every two months or in advance when the pressure difference is ≥45Pa, which can extend the service life of the high-efficiency filter by 2-3 times. For instance, a 3,000-sow farm reduced the cost of filter replacement by 22% in 2023 through intelligent monitoring and optimized maintenance.
Differential pressure monitoring: Install differential pressure sensors (such as 40Pa for primary efficiency and 130Pa for high-efficiency automatic alarm), which can accurately predict the replacement timing and avoid a sharp increase in energy consumption due to excessive use.
Iii. Actual Cases and Typical Cycles
Pig farm
General nursery: 6 to 12 months (adjusted according to the amount of dust).
Intelligent pig farms: Through dynamic monitoring via the Internet of Things platform, the lifespan of high-efficiency filters in some cases has been extended to 18-24 months.
Poultry farm
SPF chicken barrier facilities: For brooding and growing chicken houses, they should be replaced every 1 to 1.5 years. For adult chicken houses, they should be replaced every batch (approximately 72 weeks).
For ordinary chicken coops: It is recommended to replace them every 8 to 12 months. For high-risk areas of pathogens, the replacement period should be shortened to 6 months.
Extreme environment
Industrial-grade dust workshops: such as welding and cement production environments, the lifespan of high-efficiency filters is only 3 to 6 months, but the environment of livestock farms is usually better than such scenarios.
Iv. Maintenance and Replacement Suggestions
Daily maintenance
The primary filter should be cleaned once a month, and the medium filter should be replaced every 3 to 6 months.
Regularly check whether the sealant of the filter has softened and whether the filter material has become moldy. Special attention should be paid to the inspection before the high-humidity season.
Change operation
When replacing, retain 10% of the old filter as a biosafety transition to prevent sudden changes in air flow from causing stress in animals.
Old filters need to be sealed to prevent the spread of pathogens. It is recommended to entrust a professional institution for disposal.
Cost optimization
By adopting the combination of “primary efficiency (washable) + high efficiency (sterilizable)”, the cost of consumables can be reduced by 30%.
Choose standardized size filters (such as 24″×24″) to avoid the risk of supply disruption caused by customization.
V. Summary
The reasonable usage cycle of high-efficiency filters in breeding farms should follow the principle of “standards as the foundation, monitoring as the main approach, and dynamic adjustment”
The basic cycle for H13 high-efficiency filters is typically 12 months, but it needs to be determined in combination with differential pressure monitoring (final resistance ≥150Pa).
Flexible adjustment: In environments with high dust, high humidity or low biosafety, it is recommended to shorten the period to 6-10 months. Well-maintained high-safety pig farms can extend the period to 18 to 24 months.
Core objective: Through scientific management, to balance filtration efficiency and operational costs while ensuring biosafety.
