Performance Simulation of a Composite Filter Material Containing Mechanical Pulp Fibers, Microfibrillated Cellulose, and Cellulose Nanofibers

• Nonwoven fibrous materials with reticular support of an interconnected fiber network and a tortuous airflow pathway have been commonly used in filtration applications. To meet the criteria of filter efficiency and performance, the filter materials are recommended to contain different types of fibers such as mechanical pulp fibers, microfibrillated cellulose, cellulose nanofibers, and other polymer or synthetic fibers with a range of dimensions, i.e., length and diameter. Cellulose fibers in filter media possess irregular and complex structures with hollow or collapsed lumen structures owing to their refinement or pulping method. The development of an appropriate filter media model requires information on actual fiber characteristics. In this study, a simulation method was used to investigate the complex microstructures of filter media. The physical parameters such as fiber wall thickness, diameter, length, cross-section shapes, and curliness were obtained from fiber analyzers and scanning electron microscopy. Based on the experimental findings, GeoDict database comprising different types of common fiber models was constructed. 3-Dimensional fibrous models corresponding to the wet-laid binderless filter material were generated. Using the GeoDict modules, the pore size distributions, average pore sizes, air permeability, pressure drop and initial filter efficiency simulations were performed. The simulation results appear to be in close agreement with the experimental results. The incorporation of cellulose nanofibers resulted in reduced average pore sizes and air permeability of the filter material, thus enhancing the initial filter efficiency. The filter media developed a biobased material derived from pulp fibers for advanced applications such as medical facemask, and air filtration purposes.

Subject headings

LANTBRUKSVETENSKAPER  -- Lantbruksvetenskap, skogsbruk och fiske -- Trävetenskap (hsv//swe)

AGRICULTURAL SCIENCES  -- Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries -- Wood Science (hsv//eng)

Publication and Content Type

vet (subject category)

kon (subject category)