Comprehensive evaluations of the bioaerosol filtration performance of high- and medium-efficiency filters under different influencing factors

Bioaerosol filtration is crucial for improving indoor air quality and reducing cross-infection risk. It is necessary to conduct a comprehensive study on the bioaerosol filtration performance of air filters under different influencing factors. Firstly, this study proposed a standardized test scheme for the comprehensive evaluation of bioaerosol filtration performance. Additionally, the high-efficiency particulate air (H13) and medium-efficiency particulate air (F8) filters were evaluated in depth using Serratia marcescens bioaerosol, considering the face velocity, relative humidity (RH), and operating time. This study also investigated the impact of removing static electricity on the bioaerosol filtration efficiency (BFE) of F-filter materials. The pressure drop (∆P) value of H13-filter and the BFE of F8-filter were significantly affected by face velocity and RH. When the face velocity increased from 5 to 20 cm/s, the H13-filter maintained a BFE above 99%, while ∆P increased by 303 Pa. During a 90 min test, the maximum change in the BFE of the H13-filter was 0.80% and ∆P increased by 26 Pa. Conversely, the BFE of the F8-filter decreased by up to 12.21%, while ∆P increased by only 3 Pa. Higher RH resulted in more pronounced changes in BFE. After removing the static electricity from the F8-filter material, the BFE decreased significantly, with a maximum reduction of 25%. The results may provide valuable insights into the application of conventional filters in bioaerosol filtration and serve as a guide for the enhancement and optimization of filter design.