Development of an Air Filtration Software

Marco Barbolini

doi:10.4271/2014-01-0758

The air filters in an air intake system permanently remove foreign particles such as dust, dirt and soot from the intake air, thereby maintaining the performance of the engine and protecting it from damage. The filter performance is typically a trade-off between pressure loss, load capacity and efficiency. Exhaust gas regulations and customer requirements such as filter duration always determine air filter development.

For this reason Röchling Automotive has developed a new software tool for estimating air filter lifetime which simplifies and significantly shortens the pre-development of filter elements with regard to filtration and pressure drop. In addition, it is possible to compare the different filter geometries (number of pleats, height, paper etc.) in order to limit the number of different filter elements, for example for a complete series of cars.

By correlating the total air consumption with the average dust concentration typical for the environment involved, the air filter lifetime can be precisely predicted. The program utilizes input data such as the maximum flow rate, the condition of the ambient air, filter geometry, filter media and air consumption per kilometer. All of these data allow precise predictions to be made regarding filter duration, load capacity and maximum face velocity.

First, this paper explains how filter testing is usually carried out according to the ISO 5011 standard, and it describes the testing conditions and regulations with which the test rigs used have to comply. After some general facts on the software tool, the paper focuses on the basic mathematical principles behind it as well as its mode of operation. This is followed by a discussion of the input data required and of the output which the user can obtain in return. The paper finishes with an outlook on additional features in the future.

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Development of an Air Filtration Software 2014-01-0758

SAE MOBILUS