Many traditional filters are composed of a sheet material made of fibers deposited into a mat or media using a Nonwovens manufacturing process. This resulting media is then converted into a specific shape or form in order to serve as a filtration surface allowing air to penetrate while retaining particles entrained therein. The shaped media is provided in a frame system to retain the shape as air pressure is applied to the surface during operation. The performance of the air filter is defined by the geometry as well as the filter media characteristics. As such, there is a great need to understand the filtration characteristics of different media in a comparative manner to assist in selection, product development, and quality control. There are as many test methods as there are filter manufactures, and inter-company commerce is made more difficult because no common standard exists. Test methods need to represent a range of efficiency, pressure drop, dust holding characteristics, and other environmental factors for use in a broad range of applications in order to maximize the usefulness of the data. The purpose of this paper is to discuss the current status of flat sheet testing methods available and how they relate to "real life" HVAC filtration performance.
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