The pleated filter has been engineered to obtain and guarantee the separation of the solid particles transported by the airflow thanks to the effect of the changes in direction that the air is forced to make in its journey and passage inside the folds. Pleated cardboard filters are a low-cost solution for safe filtering. Ventilation and filtering units are a small, often unnoticed detail of cabinets. If felts need to be replaced due to contamination, plant managers often rely on very cheap products. But be careful! Lower costs do not always correspond to low overall costs. In addition, choosing the wrong felt can even put the entire operation of the system at risk. The pleated filter fan felts give operators peace of mind. In this way, the cabinet does not become a dust collector. The new pleated filters ensure that the protection class is maintained and can also reduce energy consumption and operating costs.
How they work
Filter fans filter cooler ambient air before it enters the cabinet, while simultaneously allowing heated indoor air to escape through an outlet filter. The fan and filter mustn’t reduce the protection class of the container and at the same time achieve the maximum possible volumetric airflow. In this way, the unit dissipates the heat load of the electronic components integrated into the cabinet and prevents the formation of hot spots.
The precautions
Filter fans must be designed to prevent dust and water mist from entering. The reliability of the gasket, the shape of the foil, and the choice of felt material play a fundamental role. However, the danger is in the details, especially when it comes to the latter. If the felt is too tight, for example, it will not be able to pass through enough air; If it is too porous, an excessive amount of dust or even water can get into the cabinet and damage the components. In addition, if unsuitable material is used for felt, for example after being cut individually from a roll, the protection class will no longer be guaranteed.
In order not to incur inconvenience or damage that risks compromising the entire system in which the filtration unit is installed, the maintenance and cleaning phase is also strongly recommended. For these operations, it is always good to rely on experienced personnel.
The advantages of pleated filters
With the new pleated felts, it is easy to manage a balance between these requirements. In addition to ensuring IP 54 protection rating, the cabinets are reliably protected against harmful levels of dust and dirt. The high segregation efficiency of pleated felts, which is more than half that of conventional felts, means that the components of the container have a lower failure rate. In addition, small dust particles (0.3-1 μm) are separated much more effectively, while increasing the airflow.
Increased airflow effectively
Thanks to the folds, the felts have a surface area six times larger and more permeable to air than normal traditional felts. This allows up to 40% more air to pass through. Energy costs can also be significantly reduced due to the increased airflow. This translates into 22% fewer operating hours in numerical terms. This not only saves energy but also reduces maintenance and operating costs. At present characterized by the exclusive use of systems and processes aimed at ensuring energy savings and the reduction of operating costs, being able to use new-generation pleated felts is a significant step forward for the filtration industry. These benefits also derive from the long life of the fan, achieved thanks to shorter operating times, which allow maintenance intervals to be extended by a factor of two to three. Thanks to this improved function, a smaller fan can also be used, while still ensuring maximum performance.
Pleated felts are better than standard polyester felts
The felt surface is about 6 times larger. A standard polyester felt has an area of 299 cm². A pleated felt of the same size, on the other hand, has an area of 1,785 cm², or six times as much. In practical terms, this translates into lower pressure drops. In addition, the average fan airflow rate is 40% higher, which means it can dissipate heat generated in the cabinet faster. This saves electricity and extends fan life. Micropores filter out even the finest dust: dust is the enemy of electrical components. The material and construction of our pleated felt are designed in such a way that even tiny dust particles are filtered out by up to 0.3 micrometers. In this way much less, dust penetrates the cabinet, and the components can last for much longer. Folds store more dust: the large surface area gives the pleated felt a greater storage capacity. This means that maintenance interventions are planned with longer times with consequent savings on service costs. The pleated felt guarantees IP54 or IP55 protection, ideal for use even in environments with a lot of dust even micro-particles.
This type of device, thanks to its design, can be easily used even by a non-expert operator. The ability to identify filtering power, durability, ease of use, and maintenance are aspects and advantages immediately recognizable. For environments of use where it is essential to ensure excellent cleaning and hygiene conditions are prolonged over time, the use of filtration systems with pleated felts is extremely recommended.