Camfil APC expands lab for new dust collection standard testing

Camfil Air Pollution Control (APC), a manufacturer of dust, mist, and fume collection equipment, has doubled the size of its testing laboratory in Jonesboro, Ark., to include a climate-controlled facility with a new, full-size dust collection test rig. The new equipment is dedicated to testing in accordance with ANSI/ASHRAE Standard 199-2016, Method of Testing the Performance of Industrial Pulse Cleaned Dust Collectors.

Unlike other air filter standards that focus on HVAC systems, the Standard 199-2016 test process analyzes how well filters actually clean and how dust collectors perform as a whole. It is the first standard to provide a methodology for comparing performance results based on true operating conditions, states the company.

Using a cartridge dust collector with four high-efficiency filters, the unit feeds dust into the collector under specified conditions, measuring pressure drop and downstream emissions. Camfil will use the test rig for both internal product quality testing and to help customers simulate real-world conditions to evaluate the compliance and effectiveness of various filters.

The lab expansion also provides new testing capabilities. New equipment is available for R&D, customer support, and testing for regulatory compliance. A new, highly sensitive scanning electron microscope is equipped with the high magnification and resolution to analyze high-efficiency filtration media with nanofiber and PTFE membrane coatings. The lab also houses equipment used for bench testing of customer dust samples, including a video microscope, particle size analyzer, moisture analyzer, and abrasion testing devices.