Study on a Novel Filter Media Incorporating with Core Shell Nanoencapsulated Phase Change Material: Fabrication and Evaluation

• Main Authors: Chi Zhang, Shuo Chang, Gaoju Song, Jianlin Liu, Henggen Shen
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2021-04-01
• Series: Processes
• Subjects: industrial air pollutant dispersion; nano-encapsules; phase change material; filter media performance; thermal regulation; environmental endurance
• Online Access: https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9717/9/5/731

Thermal performance of filter media plays a significant effect on the filtration efficiency of baghouse, especially its tolerance of high temperature air and chemical erosion. In this study, nano-encapsulated phase change material within the silica shell (NPCMs) is synthesized through a self-assembly method based on polymer—hyperbranched precursor polyethoxysiloxane (PEOS). Filter media is fabricated by NPCMs through a facile dip-dry-cure process to enhance its thermal regulation and serving durability. Filter media acts as frame-supporting of the functional structure NPCMs. Incorporating NPCMs into filter media optimizes the microstructure and filtration efficiency of baghouse. The penetration rate was reduced from 457 × 10⁻⁴% of the control filter media to 5 × 10⁻⁴%. Meanwhile, the novel filter media lowers the temperature up to 20 °C than the surroundings. The novel filter media exhibits not only better mechanical properties, but also much less tensile strength loss after suffering 100 thermal shock cycles with simultaneous chemical exposure, from 37.58% to 20.37%. Overall, the filter media incorporated with NPCMs demonstrates excellent performances on filter efficiency, thermal regulation, and environmental endurance, which has the potential for extending lifespans and enhancing operation stability of filter bags in industrial air pollutant control.