Air Filters IAQ

Why should I opt for disposable filters instead of washable filters?

Media structure gets affected when the filter is washed. It compromises the filter efficiency and allows bypass from the filter.

How can I choose the right filters for my facility?

Simulation software like TCOD and VisionAir Clean can help you to select a right filter solution for specific application

How do I know when to replace the filter?

Typically, pressure monitoring devices will be given to monitor the filter life. With AAF Sensor 360, life of the filter can be monitored easily over mobile platforms as well
As alerts and warning to replace the filter will be sent through push notifications.

Can I outsource my complete filter management to some experts?

AAF has a solution to offer Air Quality as a service. Facility Managers requirement of monitoring filter pressure drop and preventive maintenance services related to filter can be handled by AAF.

How can I upgrade my air filtration system?

If the static pressure of the fan allows the upgradation, you can increase the efficiency of the filters in the existing AHU.
You can also deploy recirculation unit like AAF AstroPure in defined areas to improve the Air Quality levels in the zone

Are your filters environment friendly?

Among the wide range of filters in AAF, there are few filters like pocket filter which are available in Eco-Friendly construction.
Our distinguished range of filters also meets LEED Certification for efficiency and environment friendly criteria.
Ask AAF Representative for the right selection of filters

Is glass fiber material that is used as a filter media hazardous?

Glass fiber media is made up of submicronic fibers glued to an adhesive where shedding of fiber is minimal because of the binder used. Wet laid process makes sure all the fibers are held together with use of the binder so shedding of the fibers after bonding is very minimal.
Our medias do not gets classified under OSHA defined hazards.
AAF recommends using PPE kits to handle any filters irrespective of the construction and materials of the filter

Are washable filters more environment friendly or disposable filters?

Disposable filters are more environmentally friendly than the washable range of filters (Metallic / Plastic Construction).
Reasons are:
(1) Disposable filters are made up of completely incinerable material.
(2) Pressure drop and energy consumption of the disposable filters is lesser than washable filters.

Do you help us in disposing the filters?

Disposal of filters should be carried out by designated waste disposal management agencies in the customer’s vicinity..
AAF does not take any contract for filter disposal.

How do you help me arrive at TCO calculation for the investment on filters?

With industry’s best technology and software support, AAF’s TCOD software can provide complete transparent ownership cost for best performance and filter selection.

Indoor Air Quality IAQ

How do I measure Indoor Air Quality?

There are sensors which would be deployed to measure the particulate matter levels in the indoor environment accurately. Mass concentration of the PM 2.5 levels are indicated in the sensors. New trend is trying to adapt to the PM 1.0 levels.

Can I subscribe to Indoor Air Quality services?

AAF has expertise in offering filters as solutions to achieve Indoor Air Quality along with IoT enabled continuous monitoring system, Sensor 360.
Contact AAF Sales or Marketing team for more information

How do I bring business relevance to the investment I make in Indoor Air Quality improvement?

Occupants’ health & safety, increase in productivity, reduction in employee absenteeism up to 17%.

Is there a platform where I can share the real time Indoor Air Quality with my employees

AAF Sensor 360, a cloud-based platform for real-time monitoring of IAQ helps to access the information on the computer screen or mobile application.

Are there standards for Indoor Air Quality?

There are standards for measurement of filter performance which are deployed to achieve the desired levels of Indoor Air Quality.
For Prefilters to Fine Filters, we have: ASHRAE 52.2, EN779, and ISO 16890.
For HEPA Filters, we have EN1822 and ISO 29463.

Can the performance of Indoor Air Quality be committed?

Although the performance of the filter in an AHU can be committed to a certain extent, the Air Quality in the confined space being served by these filters would have various other parameters like VOCs and particle generation but a proper solution can take care of the desired parameters for the target space.

What kind of dash boards can facility manager can have for Indoor Air Quality?

AAF’s Sensor360 offers monitoring of PM levels, pressure drop levels with active monitoring of the efficiency of air filtration, residual life, energy consumption and cost of ownership in the cloud based mobile application and desktop version.

How can I make invisible Indoor Air Quality visible?

Use AAF Sensor360 to see the parameters for the air that can be helpful in monitoring dust levels and efficiency of the filters.

How can I have my facility surveyed for Indoor Air Quality?

Contact AAF Sales support and Marketing teams for site survey.

What are the parameters I should monitor to improve in Indoor Air Quality?

Dust concentration in the environment PM 2.5, PM 10, PM 1.0 In addition, CO2 levels, TVOC, NO2, SO2, NH3 should be monitored.

Pharma Clean Room IAQ

How do you ensure the performance of the filter and how do you test the performance?

There are governing standards for determining the performance of the filters.
(1)For Prefilters, we have ASHRAE 52.2, EN779 and ISO 16890.
(2)For the High Efficiency filters, we have EN1822 and ISO 29463.
All the filters AAF manufactures comply to the respective standards.

What manufacturing standards do you follow to ensure the desired filter quality?

Manufacturing standards for filters are authorized by certification bodies like ASHRAE, Eurovent, ISO, etc.

Do you test filters for EN1822 standard?

AAF India is the first and only filter manufacturer in India to install EN1822 Test Rig in the cleanroom of class 100000. Our HEPA filters are tested and certified with the Auto Scan facility.

Is every HEPA filter that is manufactured tested for EN1822?

EN1822 being a sophisticated, time-consuming validation test for the HEPA filters, the testing is being done on need basis.
Ask AAF representative for Auto scan Certified HEPA filters.

What is the life of HEPA filters?

Life of the HEPA filters depends on lot of factors like the grade of pre and fine filters used prior to the HEPA filter stage, leakage and bypasses in the previous filter stages, dust loading conditions etc.
Filters gets classified under consumable commodity, hence life of the HEPA depends on usage condition

What kind of storage life do the HEPA filters have?

Storage life of the AAF AstroCel series HEPA filters is expected to be 1 year. But unscientific storage methods and environmental conditions would decrease the shelf life.

What kind of maintenance is needed for HEPA filters?

Continuous monitoring of the pressure drops, looking for any damage in the filter, air bypass and integral damage in the system or in the previous filter stages.

Are your HEPA filters classified as per clean room classification?

There is no such direct comparison between the HEPA filters and cleanroom class.
Generally, cleanroom prefers using below types as per IEST RP CC001 (Ref. Fig 1). Filter which follows these could be selected from the EN1822 or ISO29463.
As per ISO14644 for the cleanroom classification, particle size distribution must be maintained as per the figure 2. Only higher efficiency filters can match these.

What kind of equipment do you have for cleanroom application?

AAF has Ceiling Mounted Equipment range, Terminal Module System designated as TMRSC / TM II (Astrohood), Fan Filter Modules (FFU / FMII / AstroFan), Conventional HEPA Modules.
For Floor Standing applications, we have AstroPure series.

Does glass fiber media provide durability against moisture?

Glass fiber media are durable between 40 -60% RH.

What is alternative for glass fiber media for better strength and better pressure drop?

AAF- Daikin has come up with new generation of HEPA filter media with ePTFE and eFRM technology which adapts to the cleanroom pharma applications for its durability and pressure drop ratings.

Do you customize the filter size?

All filters are manufactured as per the standard ASHRAE Size classification. Most of the industries have already migrated from the non-standard configurations to standard ASHARE sizes configured filters due to the easy interchangeability and replacement benefits. However, customization with suitable business case is accepted.

Do you provide solution for exhaust application in pharma?

AAF offers pharma exhaust solutions with BIBO System (AstroSafe series) to mitigate the hazardous microbiological contaminants exposure to atmosphere.
The self- contained system makes filter removal and installation contact free using Silicone bag, external or easy locking mechanism for leak free sealing and full face scanning probe action to qualify aerosol challenge through the filters.

Do you also help with validation of the filters?

Filter validation in factory could be achieved by the sophisticated EN1822 Auto Scan test rig. In-situ or site validation should be done through 3rd party and as a filter manufacturer, we are authorized to do self-validation.

Micro Electronics Clean Room IAQ

Are your FFUs compatible with BMS?

AAF FFU (AstroFan FFU) products are available to connect and operate with BMS signals.
A total of 240 nos. of AstroFan FFUs can be controlled with BMS connectivity at once. AAF eLisa can help you with interface for the control.

What kind of logics can we build to automate FFU operations?

BMS signals in the form of Hex Codes can be sent to the FFU units for the operations. Refer to the detailed information on the AAF website on AstroFan EC series.

What kind of service support you have?

AAF has global presence in 6 continents. We provide complete warranty of 1 year from the date of manufacturing or commissioning, whichever is earlier. Annual maintenance contracts can be chosen for the service and replacement of the solutions for maintaining the Air Quality.
Contact AAF Sales and Marketing Representatives for more information

How is laminar air flow ensured through your FFUs?

AAF MegaCel II series and AstroCel series of the filters used in the AAF FFU (AstroFan Series) are proven to suit best to the laminar airflow operations and is accepted worldwide. At the rated airflow and constructions of the filters with industry’s best media technology like ePTFE, eFRM, AAF assures Laminar Air through AstroFan FFU Series.

Do FFUs provide flow and velocity control?

AstroFan FFU AC units come with Manual Speed Control option and provide control of the airflow and velocity.
AstroFan FFU EC units can be regulated for the flow and desired velocity through the electronic communication signals

Gas Phase Filters IAQ

How do I eliminate gaseous contaminants from my facility?

AAF Gas Phase solutions range starts from Combination Filter (Particulate & Carbon) to Deep Bed Scrubbers to treat mild concentration for an AHU application to applications with high concentration of gases.
Media is impregnated with chemicals to handle specific gaseous contaminants.

How do Gas Phase filters work?

Gas Phase filters are made of media from activated carbon and alumina as the main ingredient. They use a technique called adsorption which basically is sticking molecules onto a surface.

Why are Gas Phase Filters required in HVAC?

Gaseous contaminants are typically 1,000 to 10,000 times smaller than the most penetrating particles that pass through HEPA and ULPA filters. However, the air also contains molecules that need to be trapped to provide clean air for people, process and the environment. Gas phase filters are used to trap these gases.

What is the industry terminology for gas phase filters?

Molecular filtration, carbon filtration, chemical filtration, odour filters, KMNO4 technology, activated carbon filters, etc.

What are the basic applications for gas phase filters?

IAQ- educational institutions, airports, office spaces, museums, health care facilities
Odor Control- kitchen ventilation systems, sewage treatment plants, waste storage rooms
Corrosion Control- oil and gas refineries, paper and pulp industries, data centers, microelectronics
Toxic Gas Control- oil and gas refineries

What is contact time or resident time?

The superficial amount of time that an airstream is in contact with the chemical media.
Trs = Ft3 of media/Airflow (CFM) X 60

What kind of waste is activated carbon (filters)?

Usually, the filter elements can be deposited as normal industrial waste. The waste can be incinerated or put on the landfill.
In case of chemical filters (in case the impurities and the chemical reaction is known), the end-user must be informed about the optional poisonous agents that may be formed on the surface.

How to eliminate carbon monoxide?

Carbon monoxide cannot be eliminated by activated carbon filtration. The way to eliminate CO is only given by additional combustion or oxidation at catalytic MnO2/CuO catalysts (f.e. HopkalitR).
One important factor to enable the reaction is completely dried air. Humidity destroys the efficiency of the catalyst completely.
2 CO + O2 -> 2 CO2

Are all gases adsorbed in the same way?

Each gas component has its own adsorption kinetic characteristic. i.e., every gaseous component is bonded differently to the surface.
Dependencies are related to:
Size of the molecule
Geometry of the molecule
Boiling point
Dependency on environmental conditions like relative humidity, air pressure and temperature.

How is it possible to measure that a filter is “full”?

Only in case of process-sensitive applications, i.e., in semiconductor industry, online measurements are done during production. In this case, the production waste is extremely expensive, so that “working filters” are crucial for the processes.
In case, no detailed information about the gas loadings in the process air are known, no exact specification can be agreed upon. In those cases, a recommendation can be given to the client based on lab measurement on periodic samples, combined with an option that the carbon or chemical filter may have to be changed earlier. A simple method of detection to predict the lifetime of the filters doesn't exist.