SwRI: Filtration and Fine Particle Technology, Filtration and Environmental Testing

image of SwRI's modern air filter research and testing facility for air filter and air cleaner systems research, development, testing and evaluation

 image of SwRI's modern air filter research and testing facility for air filter and air cleaner systems research, development, testing and evaluation

Southwest Research Institute maintains a modern air filter research and testing facility for air filter and air cleaner systems research, development, testing and evaluation.

image of technician testing filter integrity -- the bubble point test also helps measure the pore size of filter elements

image of other on-site facilities with capabilities in dry and wet chemistry, which suport air filtration work at SwRI

While testing filter integrity, the bubble point test also helps measure the pore size of filter elements.

  

Air filtration work is supported by other on-site facilities with capabilities in dry and wet chemistry and more.

Basic and applied filtration research range from media development to systems integration to special applications. Southwest Research Institute (SwRI) has been involved in filtration and fine particle technology work for more than 40 years, serving commercial, industrial, and military clients worldwide.


Filter testing ranges from flat-sheet media to full-size systems, in both air and liquid applications, in accordance with industry, military, and commercial standards and specifications. In addition to qualification and third-party comparative testing, laboratory and field test programs are implemented to support component and systems research and development. These testing programs also aid in developing strategies for solving specific filtration problems.


Filtration Testing Specifications

  • Airflow rates to 3,500 cfm

  • Hydraulic, fuel and lube oil filter flow rates from 0.5 to 60 gpm at temperatures up to 250°F

  • High-pressure liquid flow rates to 10 gpm at 2,000 psig and 8 gpm at 3,000 psig


Filtration Testing Technical Strengths

  • Air filter test stand design and fabrication

  • Filter performance testing, including:

    • Air filters

    • Fuel filters

    • Oil filters

  • Filtration efficiency, dust capacity, and life measurement

  • Qualification testing to specifications, including:

    • 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

    • Client

  • Component operability in adverse environments

  • Contamination sensitivity evaluation of fuel systems and components

  • Fuel system testing and component life assessment

  • Fuel pump testing and evaluation

  • Dust ingestion contamination studies

  • Structural integrity testing of air induction systems and components

  • System and component failure mode analysis

  • Particle transport, deposition and multi-phase flows

  • Particle sizing and analysis

  • Specification development

  • Automotive and heavy-duty air filtration

  • Off-highway and severe dust evaluations

  • Filter failure analysis

  • Environmental testing and evaluation

  • Dust and small particle analysis

  • Small particle interactions and mass transfer

    • Agglomeration

    • Coalescence

    • Coagulation

    • Condensation

  • Exhaust particulate control

  • Low and zero gravity separations

  • Product design and redesign


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


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Southwest Research Institute® (SwRI®) is an independent, nonprofit, applied engineering and physical sciences research and development organization with 12 technical divisions using multidisciplinary approaches to problem solving. The Institute occupies more than 1,200 acres and provides nearly two million square feet of laboratories, test facilities, workshops, and offices for more than 3,300 employees who perform contract work for industry and government clients.