Numerical study of an electret filter composed of an array of staggered parallel rectangular split-type fibers

Abstract

The flow field through a staggered array of parallel, rectangular split-type electret fibers was numerically modeled. The particle trajectory and the collection efficiency were simulated by solving the equation of particle motion, taking into account the effects of diffusion, interception, inertial impaction, and electrostatic forces. The model was validated against results calculated from semiempirical expressions. The model was applied to investigate the role of the inertial impaction and the interception mechanisms in the particle collection by an electret fiber, the particle trajectories under various filtration conditions, the effect of the aspect ratio of the rectangular fiber on the filter penetration, and the distribution of the deposited particles on the surface of the fiber. The simulated results indicate that the inertial impaction and interception mechanisms account for a major portion of neutral particles collected by an electret fiber when the Stokes number is higher than 0.5. For neutral particles, fibers with an aspect ratio of 38/10 have almost the same penetration as fibers with an aspect ratio of 10/38; while for singly charged particles, fibers with an aspect ratio of 38/10 achieve a much lower penetration when the electrophoretic collection mechanism dominates. In addition, it is predicted that a filter composed of fibers with an aspect ratio of 38/10 will result in a lower flow resistance and thus a slower clogging process when the dielectrophoretic collection mechanism dominates.