SwRI: Filtration and Fine Particle Technology Air Filtration Facilities

A modern air filter research and testing facility, including air filter test stand design and fabrication, for air filter and air cleaner systems research, development, testing, and evaluation is maintained at Southwest Research Institute (SwRI). Filtration and fine particle work have been ongoing at SwRI for more than 45 years. Projects include research in:

• Particle mechanics

• Aerosol science

Air Filter Qualification Testing

Air filter qualification testing is conducted to specifications for:

• Industry

  • Automotive and heavy duty vehicles: ISO 5011, SAE J726, and JIS D 1612 plus OEM specifications and standards

  • Nuclear

  • Power Plant

  • Gas Turbine

• Military

  • Tactical and combat vehicles (developmental, conformance, verification and first article testing): MIL-PRF-62048C and MIL-PRF-46736E

Air Filter Testing Capabilities

The Air Filtration Facility testing capabilities include:

• Benchtop stands of a few cfm

• Primary flow stands of up to 3,500 cfm

The Air Filtration Laboratory is:

• Environmentally controlled for humidity and temperature

• Modularly designed to accommodate a variety of test setups and equipment configurations

Testing and experimentation methods use a variety of test dusts and challenge contaminants, depending on client requirements and objectives. Efficiency measurements are based on:

• Gravimetric analysis

• Aerodynamic impactor data

• Upstream optical particle counting

• Downstream optical particle counting

For more information about the air filtration facility and capabilities at SwRI or how you can contract with SwRI, please contact  Martin B. Treuhaft at mtreuhaft@swri.org or (210) 522-2626.