Innovation

Thursday, November 19

Keynote:

9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
Moderator: Fred Lybrand, Elmarco, Inc.

Intellectual Property and Innovation in Filtration

Ben du Pont (Founder), President, yet2.com

Intellectual property is a complex subject in any industry but is often at its most difficult in mature industries with long product life cycles and a long history of well-defended IP. There are many ways to tailor intellectual property strategies based on industry dynamics, and filtration provides its own challenges and opportunities. Identifying strategies that work is an important factor in deploying and profiting from innovative new products.

Opportunity

10:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m
Moderator: Eric Hanson, Air Techniques International

What creates opportunities in the Filtration Industry? We will examine why environmental demands drive media designs and how changes in new technologies inffuence innovation. Will we adapt to the new governmental regulations or be driven out because of them? For those focused on the future of the industry this is a must-attend session.

Importance of Mechanical Filtration in HVAC Bag and Panel Filter Applications
Jack Manns, Hollingsworth & Vose Company
[ Open Abstract ]

lectrostatically charged synthetic Media have gained significant market share in the HVAC filter bag and panel air market segments over the past 15 years. In many HVAC applications these charged media will lose their charge in actual field use and the efficiency of the filter in use are much lower than the initial stated efficiency performance. In recent years ASHRAE and Eurovent have both adopted appendixes in their standards which attempt to address this issue through preconditioning of the filter to show the performance after loss of the charge. This paper will show the performance of new mechanical synthetic media vs. electrostatically charged synthetic and glass mat media. This paper will demonstrate that mechanical synthetic media is available that has high efficiency, with low pressure drop and high dust loading capacity. This will be demonstrated both through laboratory test data of preconditioned media and through actual field testing of filters in an HVAC installation.
Carbon Nanotubes: Ultimate Fibers for Fuel Filtration Applications
Dr. Vardhan Bajpai, Seldon Technologies, Inc.
[ Open Abstract ]

Carbon nanotubes have been an ultimate find of the present era. It has attracted tremendous attention of researchers from all around the globe for plethora of applications. Seldon, earlier than others, realized that its nanoscale diameters, high tensile strength, high electrical conductivity and high surface area carbonaceous make-up would be a very useful for fluid filtration applications. Moreover, its fuel resistant property coupled with the ease with which it can be functionalized with moieties for specific adsorption makes carbon nanotube a prime candidate for fuel filtration applications. Seldon has focused its attention towards developing products for various fuel filtration areas which include removal of microbial contaminants from fuel, mitigation of electrostatic discharge in fuel filters, fuel particulate filtration, removal of fuel degradation products and separation of water from ultralow sulfur diesel fuel. The objective of the paper is to demonstrate the versatility of carbon nanotube for various fuel filtration applications.
The Shifting Policy Landscape: Challenges and Opportunities for the Filtration Industry
Jessica Franken, INDA
[ Open Abstract ]

The economic stimulus, sustainability/green, the crumbling U.S. auto industry (and bailout), swine flu, infrastructure, clean water/drinking water projects, climate change, emission controls, particulate matter standards, nanofiltration, energy efficiency, international tax reform, alternative energy _ these days, these are more than just buzzwords. After a period of relative inactivity tied to a lame duck White House and a long and distracting campaign season, there_s a new administration in town, and its flexing its muscles left and right, advancing a flurry of policy activity and _change_ everywhere you look. This presentation will review some of the key policy developments coming out of Washington and discuss the opportunities and challenges for the filtration industry.
Commercial Applications for Electro Adsorptive Filter Media in Water Filtration
Denise Russell, Ahlstrom Filtration LLC
[ Open Abstract ]

At Filtration 2008 we introduced our new electro adsorptive filter media, Disruptor _ to the audience. This technology is based on alumina nanofibers approximately 2nm in diameter, having a positive electro kinetic potential that is very effective in adsorbing a wide range of submicron contaminants from water that include; virus, bacteria, cysts, natural organic matter and some colloidal materials. Alumina nanofiber media filters water with the efficiency similar to a polymeric nanofiltration membrane but with a pressure drop and flow rate of a traditional nonwoven filter media. The nanofibers can be formed into three-dimensional shapes that are integrated into filter devices or produced in roll format for traditional converting into pleated cartridges. This year we will present commercial products that have incorporated the nanotechnology into personal water purifications devices that can be used in disaster relief situations or with municipal water for taste and odor removal.
What’s ASHRAE Up to These Days?
Phil Winters, Filtration Group, Inc., Chair of ASHRAE Technical Committee 2.4