The challenge aerosols consisted of either solid particles or liquid droplets in the size range 0.4 to 1.0 μm in aerodynamic diameter either in electrostatically charged or in Boltzmann charge distribution conditions. Two filter mats were tested against submicron aerosols to determine the effect of particle charge on the filtration efficiency with and without a polarizing electric field at two face velocities: 5 and 15 cm/s. This paper presents an experimental approach to determine the effects of both coulombic and polarization forces on the particle collection efficiency of filter mats. Lastly, the review concludes with possible future advancements and promising research avenues in personal protective equipment.Ī quantitative determination of the electrostatic effects on aerosol filtration is difficult since currently available methods do not provide direct measurements of coulombic and polarization parameters. Furthermore, employing the CFD paradigm, a 3D model of a face mask was created based on fluid flow during breathing techniques.
Strategies with SDG3 and SDG12, outlining safe and proper disposal of solid waste, have also been discussed. The study features a holistic overview of innovations made in face masks and their corresponding impact on human health and environment. Proper waste management techniques pertaining to such special wastes have also been discussed. The following review assimilates information on the different forms of personal protective equipment currently in use. Despite ample research in this field, the efficacy of personal protective equipment and its impact post-disposal is yet to be explored satisfactorily. Polymers used in single-use face masks include a spectrum of chemical constituents: plasticizers and flame retardants leading to health-related issues over time. Improper solid waste management enables viral propagation and increases the volume of associated biomedical waste at an alarming rate. Despite their widespread use and importance, face masks pose major potential threats due to the uncontrolled manufacture and disposal techniques. Available facemasks feature considerable variation in efficacy, materials usage and characteristic properties. Personal protection against viral infections was enforced using ambient air filters, face masks, and other respiratory protective equipment. The threat of epidemic outbreaks like SARS-CoV-2 is growing owing to the exponential growth of the global population and the continual increase in human mobility. It is shown that electrostatic effects can lead to great increases in particle collection, especially for the case of particles with low inertia. The results for the single fiber efficiency have been compared with the data from previous studies, whenever possible. In the case of particles with inertia, deposition is studied by numerically integrating the particle equations of motion, to obtain individual particle trajectories. This stream function is superimposed onto the flow stream function so that the lines of constant value of the resulting total stream function coincide with particle trajectories. The collection of charged inertialess particles is predicted by defining a streamfunction for the electrophoretic force, in the manner of Henry and Ariman ((1983). Particle collection is studied for the case of charged particles (electrophoresis) and for the case of uncharged, polarized particles (dielectrophoresis). Predictions of particle collection due to interception, inertial impaction, and electrostatic effects have been obtained. Here, the electric field around a fiber is obtained by including the interference effects of the eight closest neighboring fibers. The increase in collection efficiency due to electrostatic effects is modeled using the method of images. The enhancement in particle collection is considered for the case when an electric field is applied across the filter. A control volume differencing scheme is used for this purpose.
As in the previous study, the flow within the in-line array is obtained by solving the full Navier-Stokes equations with the assumption of fully developed flow. In this work particle collection due to interception, inertia effects, and electrostatic forces is considered.
In the previous study, the pressure drop and particle collection efficiency due to the mechanisms of interception and Brownian diffusion were theoretically predicted. 8:133–156) in which an in-line array of parallel circular cylinders, placed transverse to the flow, was proposed as a model for fibrous filters.
This work is a continuation of our recently published study (Rao and Faghri (1988).