A NEW TYPE OF AIR STERILIZATION FILTER

Abstract

Pressure drop of air flow and collection efficiency of bacterial particles through plate filters made of polyvinyl alcohol were studied. A remarkably high collection efficiency with less pressure drop was obtained. The experimental results were compared with the performance of fibrous glass filter which is extensively employed in the fermentation industry. The comparison, with reference to the field data of the plate filter, predicts a possibility that the plate made of polyvinyl alcohol could be applied to the fermentation practice. If the fibrous air sterilization filter is replaced by the plate filter, the size of the current device will be reduced tremendously with the economy of construction as well as maintenance costs. However, the mechanism which accounts for the excellent performance of the plate filter is left open for further experimentation and theoretical consideration.