> The Importance Of Filtration > Understanding New Risks  
 


As knowledge and understanding grows of how particulates, gaseous contaminants, bacteria and allergens behave, along with their consequences for the health of individuals and the general environment, so has the values of air filtration.

NFC Specialist Products has risen to these challenges to provide a centre of expertise capable of working with a client to identify the problem, engineer a solution, and manufacture a product designed to improve performance, provide a value-added dimension to the end product and, most importantly remove the airborne contaminant of concern.

The use of filters throughout industry and by the medical, health and safety sectors, is commonplace, but more recently the importance of filtration in domestic appliances has been recognised.

The risk to hygiene and health caused by the air exhausted from vacuum cleaners due to the amount of contaminants it contains has long been established and resulted in most now incorporating air filter systems with increasing levels of efficiency which, for cost and practicality reasons, are required to remain in use for longer and longer periods.

Unfortunately, the solution to the exhaust emission problem can give rise to a potentially more serious problem. In addition to collecting dust and dirt these filters inevitably trap potentially harmful bacteria, dust mites (source DER P1 Protein Allergen) and other organisms. Though not necessarily harmful in atmospheric air, the concentration of such organisms on the surface of an air filter can cause a serious hazard. The combination of organic matter (dirt/dust/human debris), humidity and temperature found in any air filtration system provides an ideal breeding ground for organisms to multiply at an alarming rate, potentially leading to the production of volatile organic compounds, unpleasant odours and the spread of disease and allergies.

Deleting or downgrading the filter system is not a viable proposition as the level of particulate emissions will increase, while the use of even higher levels of filtration will merely exacerbate the problem of capturing more organisms. While a particular problem for vacuum cleaners, the same, to varying degrees, could apply to any equipment incorporating air filtration.

The answer lies in employing a filtration system efficient enough to minimise the volume of contaminants passing through the filter while simultaneously exhibiting the capability to prevent the multiplication of the numerous organisms collected.

Through its development of new technologies and filter media – such as Bactiguard and Allergiguard medias - NFC Specialist Products is now able to provide a response to these new risks.
> Specialist Housing And Shapes


New techniques in housings for filters now make it possible to reduce the cost of including a filter within a product without compromising filtration performance. Conversely, if aesthetics are as important as performance – particularly so for domestic appliances – NFC Specialist Products can rise to this challenge too.

NFC Specialist Products has the engineering expertise to achieve virtually any shape of filter or housing. Ranging from the conventional cylindrical, radial and rectangular filters, the capacity to manufacture arcs, curves and even a trepanned-style are well within its scope.

> Services Available > Effective Filtration
 


Assessment of air contaminants where required
Assessment of a current product's performance
Bespoke design, manufacturing and testing service
High temperature/pressure capabilities
Stable filtration efficiency
Choice of filter housings
Anti-microbial, anti-allergen and odour removing options


The path to effective filtration commences with an understanding of the end product’s function and more specifically the type of contaminant that needs to be removed from the air and, if non-gaseous, its size.

From this understanding NFC Specialist Products’ engineers identify the most appropriate type of media with which to develop the filter.

A wide variety of filtration efficiencies can be achieved, which can be particularly important when needing to protect people and the environment from bacteria and viruses.

Significance of % removal of bacteria/viruses
Number of Organisms Challenging the Filter
Number of Organisms Passing through the Filter
% Efficiency
1 000 000
100 000
90
 
10 000
99
 
1 000
99.9
 
100
99.99
 
30
99.997
 
10
99.999
 
1
99.9999

A 99.9999% filter is 10 times more efficient than 99.999% and 100 times more efficient than 99.99% and 1000 times more efficient than a filter rated at 99.9%.



> Specialist Attention

NFC Specialist Products has a breadth of experience on which to draw. Clients range from household names in the domestic appliance market to boardroom names in the health, safety and respiratory industry.

Commencing with an understanding of the clients requirement, end objective, and the products function, engineers at NFC Specialist Products prepare a bespoke design + development plan. Based on the initial concept, the plan follows through to manufacturing and comprehensive testing of the finished product.

Comprehensive in-house testing is available, with additional specialist centres utilised if required. Quality assurance is provided via NAtional Quality Assurance Limited Registration and BS EN ISO 9001:2000