Fractional efficiency of porous media used for natural gas filtration

This study aimed to suggest a suitable media filter for natural gas filtration using quality factor. The efficiency of five commercial-grade media was investigated at different face velocities (0.39–1.02 m/s) and particle concentrations (55300-377800 particles/L). Airflow test was performed by liquid aerosol particles range from 0.2 to 10 μm. The fractional efficiency was obtained to decrease in the following order: nanofiber, bi-constituent, polyester, and cellulose, respectively. The effect of the face velocity and particle concentration on the efficiency and beta ratio was investigated. The former was related directly to efficiency, although the latter was inverse. Based on the quality factor, the suitable media filters for natural gas filtration were the polypropylene and polyester media filters. Furthermore, the cellulose, nanofiber, and bi-constituent media filters had almost identical quality factors. Filter designers can use this study to select suitable media filters for natural gas filtration.