• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.115-122
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• 2017

Objectives: This study was designed to evaluate the changes in the particle filtration efficiencies of five cloth masks (4 plate types, 1 cup type) with an increasing number of machine washings and the degree of cloth expansion. Methods: NaCl aerosols were generated using an atomizer and passed through cloth masks in a dynamic aerosol chamber. Particle concentrations were measured both before and after for the cloth masks using an optical particle counter (OPC) in the size range of $0.3{\sim}10{\mu}m$. Results: In the original condition, the filtration efficiencies of the five cloth masks were A: 20.1%, B:30.9%, C: 25.0%, D: 26.5%, and E: 40.9%. As the number of washings increased in the order of one, two, and four times, the filtration efficiencies of cloth mask C increased. The filtration efficiency of A, D, and E increased after the first washing. With the exception of B, the filtration efficiency of cloth masks increased after the second washing and those of all cloth masks increased after the fourth washing. This might be caused by the fibers untangling from the yarn and being freed at one end. In this status, the packing density of the textile will not change, but the distances between fibers will increase, which might bring about an increase in filtration efficiency. When the cloth masks were extended by 10% and 20% in one direction, the filtration efficiencies of cloth masks B, D, and E decreased at 10% extension, and those of all cloth masks decreased at 20% extension. When the cloth masks were expanded by 10% and 20% in two directions, the filtration efficiencies of all cloth masks decreased by at least 34.7% at 10% extension, and by at least 60.9% at 20% extension Conclusions: The filtration efficiency of cloth masks could decrease after one to two machine washings, but will increase after four washings in comparison with their original performances. The filtration efficiency of cloth masks will decrease when they are expanded, such as when stretching over the nose during wearing status.

• Particle and aerosol research
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.1-11
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• 2023

Respiratory face masks are protective facepieces that are designed to filter inhaled air. They are easy-to-use devices that can protect the wearer against various hazardous particles in the air. Respiratory face masks also prevent the spread of viruses and bacteria-containing droplets that are released from the coughing or sneezing of the infected people. During the COVID-19 pandemic, various types of face masks have circulated on the market. Their ability to filter sub-micron particles, which are the sizes of harmful particulate matter and airborne viruses, needs to be investigated. Their breathability, the easiness of breath through the mask, also needs to be considered. In this study, wwe evaluated the performance of filters used for different types of face masks certified by different standards including Korean (KF94, KF80, KF-AD), USA (N95), and Chinese (KN95) standards. We also tested the filters of nanofiber masks and surgical masks for which there are no standards for filtration test. The N95 mask filters showed the highest quality factor for capturing virus-sized particles. The other types of mask filters have acceptable performance except for nanofiber mask filters whose performance is very low.

• Particle and aerosol research
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• v.12 no.4
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• pp.145-150
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• 2016

During the chemical mechanical planarization (CMP) process, slurry that comprises abrasive particles can directly affect the CMP performance and quality. Mainly, the large particles in the slurry can generate the defects on the wafer. Thus, many kinds of filters have been used in the CMP process to remove unwanted over-sized particles. Among these filters, the point-of-use (POU) filter is used just before the slurry is supplied onto the CMP pad. In the CMP research field, analysis of the POU filter has been relatively exceptional, and previous studies have not focused on the standardized filtration efficiency (FE) or filter performance. Furthermore, conventional evaluation methods of filter performance are not appropriate for POU filters, as the POU filter is not a membrane type, but is instead a depth type roll filter. In order to accurately evaluate the POU filter, slurry FE according to particle size was measured in this study. Additionally, a CMP experiment was conducted with filtered slurry to demonstrate the effects of filtered slurry on CMP performance. Depending on the flow rate and the filter retention size, the FE according to particle size was different. When the small and large particles have different FEs, the total filtration efficiency (TFE) can still have a similar value. For this reason, there is a need to measure the FE with respect to the particle size to verify the effects of the POU filter on the CMP process.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.57-66
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• 1997

Successful energy conservation and good indcfor air quality (IAQ) are highly dependent on ventilation system. Air filtration is a primary solution of indoor air control strategies in terms of reducing energy consumption and improving ihdoor air quality. A conventional system with bypass filter, as it is called variable-air-volume/bypass filtration system (VAV/BPFS), is a variation of the conventional variable air volume (VAV) systems, which is designed to eliminate indoor air pollutant and to save energy. Bypass filtration system equipped with a high-efficiency particulate filter and carbon absorbent provides additional cleaned air into indoor environments and maintain good IAQ for human health. The objectives of this research were to compare the relative total decay rate of indoor air pollutant concentrations, and to develop a mathematical model simulating the performance of VAV/BPFS. All experiments were performed in chamber under the controlled conditions. The specific conclusions of this research are: 1. The VAV/BPFS system is more efficient than the VAV system in removing indoor air pollutant concentration. The total decay rates of aerosol, and total volatile organic compound (TVOC) for the VAV/BPFS system were higher than those of the conventional VAV system. 2. IAQ model predictions of each pollutant agree closely with the measured values. 3. According to IAQ model evaluation, reduction of outdoor supply air results in decreased dilution removal rate and on increased bypass filtration removal rate with the VAV/BPFS. As a results, we recommends the VAV/BPFS as an alternative to conventional VAV systems.

• Proceedings of the Korea Air Pollution Research Association Conference
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• 2000.11a
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• pp.265-267
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• 2000

The objective of this study is to analyze, design and evaluate a new gas cleanup or sampling system that will remove erosive, corrosive, and fouling contaminants present in an effluent stream as either solid or liquid particles providing a clean gas stream. The gas clean-up or sampling system considered in this study is an irrigated, rotating element device. The device consists of a central disk-like hub from which emanate radially wires or cylindrical elements. (omitted)

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.41 no.3
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• pp.203-215
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• 2015

Objectives: This study was designed to evaluate the filtration efficiencies and pressure drops of five commercial cloth masks (4 plate type, 1 cup type) in comparison to the performance of a class 1 disposable respirator (reference respirator). A further objective was to evaluate the effects of the number of layers and wash treatment independently on filtration efficiencies and pressure drops. Methods: Polydisperse NaCl aerosols were generated in an aerosol chamber and their concentrations were measured by an optical particle counter (OPC) in the size range of $0.3{\sim}10{\mu}m$ (five channels). Results: The filtration efficiencies of the five cloth masks and the reference respirator were D: 9.5%, C: 18.5%, E: 23.6%, A: 28.5%, B: 29.7% and R: 91.1%, respectively, and the pressure drops through them were C, D: 0.8 Pa, E: 1.7 Pa, B: 6.4 Pa, A: 42.7 Pa and R: 19.3 Pa, respectively. The filtration efficiencies of the cloth masks and reference respirator were below the class 1 respirator criterion (${\geq}94.0%$) of the Ministry of Employment and Labor (MOEL) and Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS). The pressure drops satisfied the class 1 respirator criterion (${\leq}70Pa$) of MOEL and MFDS. When the cloth masks were folded into two and four layers, the filtration efficiencies of cloth masks A, B, C, D (plate type) increased 1.7-4.6 times, and 2.3-6.8 times, respectively, compared to the efficiencies of the same products in a single layer. Pressure drops increased as the number of layers was increased. The filtration efficiency of cloth mask E with a liner was 1.3 times higher than that of the same mask without a liner, and the pressure drop was lower in the no-liner configuration. After a single washing, the filtration efficiencies of all the cloth mask products decreased 1.04-4.0 times compared to those of the same products intact. For the cloth masks C and E, their filtration efficiencies were significantly decreased after washing (p<0.05). The pressure drops of all cloth masks were 1.2-2.0 times lower after washing. Conclusions: The filtration efficiencies of the five cloth masks were below 30% and did not improve greatly by increasing the number of layers. After a single washing, their performances decreased. Considering the above and other issues identified with cloth masks, such as poor fit and stretched fibers through use, people should not expect protection against particulate matters from the cloth masks on the market.

• Particle and aerosol research
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• v.9 no.4
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• pp.261-269
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• 2013

The chemical mechanical polishing (CMP) process is widely used in semiconductor manufacturing process for planarization of various materials and structures. Point-of-use (POU) filters are used in most of the CMP processes in order to reduce the unwanted micro-scratches which may result in defects. The performance of the POU filter is depends on type and size of the abrasives used during cleaning process. For this reason, there is a need to evaluate POU filters for their filtration efficiency (FE) with different types of abrasives. In this study, we developed filter test system to evaluate the FE of POU using ceria and silica abrasives (slurry). The POU filter is roll type capsule filter with retention size of 0.2 ${\mu}m$. Two POU filters of different make are evaluated for FE. We observed that both POU filters show similar filtration efficiency for silica and ceria slurry. Results reveal that the ceria slurry and the colloidal silica particle are removed not only by mechanical way but also hydrodynamic and electrostatic interaction way.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.54 no.1
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• pp.31-36
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• 2021

Objectives: Non-traditional materials are used for mask construction to address personal protective equipment shortages during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Reusable masks made from surgical sterilization wrap represent such an innovative approach with social media frequently referring to them as "N95 alternatives." This material was tested for particle filtration efficiency and breathability to clarify what role they might have in infection prevention and control. Methods: A heavyweight, double layer sterilization wrap was tested when new and after 2, 4, 6, and 10 autoclave sterilizing cycles and compared with an approved N95 respirator and a surgical mask via testing procedures using a sodium chloride aerosol for N95 efficiency testing similar to 42 CFR 84.181. Pressure testing to indicate breathability was also conducted. Results: The particle filtration efficiency for the sterilization wrap ranged between 58% to 66%, with similar performance when new and after sterilizing cycles. The N95 respirator and surgical mask performed at 95% and 68% respectively. Pressure drops for the sterilization wrap, N95 and surgical mask were 10.4 mmH2O, 5.9 mmH2O, and 5.1 mmH2O, respectively, well below the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health limits of 35 mmH2O during initial inhalation and 25 mmH2O during initial exhalation. Conclusions: The sterilization wrap's particle filtration efficiency is much lower than a N95 respirator, but falls within the range of a surgical mask, with acceptable breathability. Performance testing of non-traditional mask materials is crucial to determine potential protection efficacy and for correcting misinterpretation propagated through popular media.

• Particle and aerosol research
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• v.6 no.4
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• pp.173-183
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• 2010

The high temperature pleated filter bags which were used during this study were made of pleated nonwoven fabric of heat and acid resistant polysulfonate fibers which can withstand the heat up to $300^{\circ}C$ and have a filtration area which is 3 to 5 times larger than the conventional round filter bags. Cartridge module packed with 3 kind of the sulfur impregnated activated-carbon based sorbents were inserted in the inner of the pleated filter bag. This type of pleated filter bag was designed to remove not only the particulate matter but also the gaseous elemental mercury. The electrostatic precipitator part can enhance the particulate removal efficiency and reduce the pressure drop of the pleated filter bag by agglomerated particles to form a more porous dust layer on the surface of the pleated bag which is increased the filter bag cleaning efficiency. In addition, the most of particles are separated from the flue gas stream through the cyclone and the electrostatic precipitator part which were installed at the lower part and main body part of the convergence particulate collector, respectively. Thus reduce particulate loading of the high temperature pleated filter bags were applied in this study to analyze the removal characteristics of particulate matter and gaseous elemental mercury.

• Particle and aerosol research
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• v.5 no.4
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• pp.189-197
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• 2009

Wet-type particulate removal system is employed in most of ironmaking processes. These de-dusting systems require additional downstream aggregates for treatment of water and for drying of the collected slurry. Thus dried slurry can be pressed in shape of briquettes and recycled in the steelmaking process. Different from the wet-type, the dry-type particulate removal systems generate no slurry. A high-temperature, high-pressure de-dusting system with inertial inlet was developed. The target application of this system was to remove particulate matter generated from the novel ironmaking process and other steelmaking processes. In this study we conducted tests with this newly developed system to evaluate the performance of the silica-carbide (SiC) ceramic filters. In addition, for purpose of comparison, we also conducted tests with a unit which has conventional direct inlet. Fe-Particles collected from the novel ironmaking process were used in our tests as test dusts. The temperature and the pressure were kept constant at their respective values $800^{\circ}C$ and $3kg_f/cm^2$.