I’m currently building a air filter based on some input I found on this forum. I used a 10” squirrel cage type blower from an old furnace with a 0.33HP motor. When I put no static pressure in the system (i.e. no filters) the thing moves very much air, very fast.
I bought a Shop Vac filter, HEPA approved (99.97% filtration rate at 0.3 microns) that I incorporated in my unit. With this on, the static pressure seems to go way to high. I can feel no air moving at the intake. When I use only a pleated furnace filter, the air circulates enough.
I can find a bigger blower, a bigger motor, or both. Have any of you ever tried such a setup? Will this type of blower be able to move air through such a tight filter?
Fred
Replies
just guessing here, but that shop-vac filter has air being PULLED through it . all that you may have done is put a "lamp shade " for the blower by placing the filter on the rotor....
it is the same as blocking the air on the backside of a fan....
maybe a flat furnace filter would work better on the suction side of your setup
Interesting...
It seems like it is a bit of fussing, but I'll give it a try if I can't find a way for my actual setup to work.
Sometimes I wish we were all in the same shop at the same time. Imagine how easy things would be....
If you want a pleated filter that is that fine you are going to need to use a large one like the one on a dust collector (they have about 250 sq ft of surface).The shop vac filter just doesn't have the surface area to allow that volume of air to flow through at the low pressure/high volumes that your fan produces. Your other option is to get one of the furnace HEPA filters. They are 1x2 ft or larger and pleated 3" deep.
Sounds like a good way to go. I checked for every filter available but never found one with HEPA on it. Any idea where I could get one?
AntzyClancy has given you a site for filters. You could also try Donaldson Torit, but they are industrial and price accordingly. http://www.donaldson.com/en/industrialair/index.htmlIf you do use a cartridge filter try to get one thats designed to filter from the outside in. They are easier to blow clean and the surface area is greater (think of the distance on the inside of a curve as compared to the outside curve on a race track).If you are having a problem getting a HEPA filter then go with slightly larger particle filtering size (.5 or 1 micron) and put an Electronic Air Filter (Eg. Honeywell)for furnaces as the last stage. They filter spores and pollen so will clean the finest particles that get past the filters.All the high quality air filtration / dust collection systems, whether purchased or home made, will also filter the money from your wallet too!
QC is right. The shop VAC filter just doesn't have the surface area required. You can find good filter at reasonable costs here:
http://www.wynnenv.com/cartridge_filters.htm
Also, if you are serious about this, you should read Pentz's site:
http://billpentz.com/Woodworking/Cyclone/Index.cfm
Good luck,
Todd
Wow.
What an interesting source of information. I'm not shure if I will resist reading it all and start all over from scratch.
Thank you. I wonder why I have never seen such complete informations in any magazine. We should all read this stuff.
Fred
Fred,
I couldn't have said it better myself.
Todd
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