Southern Filter Media, LLC PE-16/M-SPES 

Environmental Technology 

Verification Report 

Baghouse Filtration Products 

Southern Filter Media, LLC 

PE-16/M-SPES Filter Sample 

Prepared by 

RTI International 

ETS, Incorporated 

EPA Cooperative Agreement CR 831911-01 

EPA Project Manager 

Michael Kosusko 

Air Pollution Prevention and Control Division 

National Risk Management Research Laboratory

Office of Research and Development 

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 

Research Triangle Park, NC 27711 

February 2007 

i 
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 

THE ENVIRONMENTAL TECHNOLOGY VERIFICATION 

PROGRAM 

ETV Joint Verification Statement 

TECHNOLOGY TYPE: BAGHOUSE FILTRATION PRODUCTS 

APPLICATION: CONTROL OF PM2.5 EMISSIONS BY BAGHOUSE 

FILTRATION PRODUCTS 

TECHNOLOGY NAME: PE-16/M-SPES 

COMPANY: Southern Filter Media, LLC 

ADDRESS: P.O. Box 5241 PHONE: (423) 698-8988 

Chattanooga, TN 37406 FAX: (423) 624-0274 

WEB SITE: http://www.sfmbags.com 

E-MAIL: charlie@sfmbags.com 

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has created the Environmental Technology 

Verification (ETV) Program to facilitate the deployment of innovative or improved environmental 

technologies through performance verification and dissemination of information. The goal of the ETV 

Program is to further environmental protection by accelerating the acceptance and use of improved and 

cost-effective technologies. ETV seeks to achieve this goal by providing high-quality, peer-reviewed data 

on technology performance to those involved in the design, distribution, financing, permitting, purchase, 

and use of environmental technologies. 

ETV works in partnership with recognized standards and testing organizations; stakeholder groups, which 

consist of buyers, vendor organizations, permitters, and other interested parties; and with the full 

participation of individual technology developers. The program evaluates the performance of innovative 

technologies by developing test plans that are responsive to the needs of stakeholders, conducting field or 

laboratory tests (as appropriate), collecting and analyzing data, and preparing peer-reviewed reports. All 

evaluations are conducted in accordance with rigorous quality assurance protocols to ensure that data of 

known and adequate quality are generated and that the results are defensible. 

The Air Pollution Control Technology Verification Center (APCT Center) is operated by RTI 

International (RTI), in cooperation with EPA’s National Risk Management Research Laboratory. The 

APCT Center evaluates the performance of baghouse filtration products (BFPs) used primarily to control 

i 
____________ 

Southern Filter Media, LLC PE-16/M-SPES 

PM2.5 emissions (particles 2.5 μm and smaller in aerodynamic diameter). This verification statement 

summarizes the test results for Southern Filter Media, LLC’s filter fabric PE-16/M-SPES. 

VERIFICATION TEST DESCRIPTION 

All tests were performed in accordance with the APCT Center draft Generic Verification Protocol for 

Baghouse Filtration Products, available at http://www.epa.gov/etv/pdfs/vp/05_vp_bfp.pdf. The protocol 

is based on and describes modifications to the equipment and procedures described in Verein Deutscher 

Ingenieure (VDI 3926, Part 2), Testing of Filter Media for Cleanable Filters under Operational 

Conditions, December 1994. The VDI document is available from Beuth Verlag GmbH, 10772 Berlin, 

Germany. The protocol also includes requirements for quality management, quality assurance, 

procedures for product selection, auditing of the test laboratories, and test reporting format. 

Outlet particle concentrations from a test fabric were measured with an impactor equipped with 

appropriate substrates to filter and measure PM2.5 within the dust flow. Outlet particle concentrations 

were determined by weighing the mass increase of dust collected in each impactor filter stage and 

dividing by the gas volumetric flow through the impactor. 

Particle size was measured while injecting the test dust into the air upstream of the baghouse filter 

sample. The test dust was dispersed into the flow using a brush-type dust feeder. The particle size 

distributions in the air were determined both upstream and downstream of the test filter fabric to provide 

accurate results for penetration through the test filter of PM2.5. All tests were performed using a constant 

18.4 ± 3.6 g/dscm (8.0 ± 1.6 gr/dscf) loading rate, a 120 ± 6.0 m/h (6.6 ± 0.3 fpm) filtration velocity 

[identical to gas-to-cloth ratio (G/C*)], and aluminum oxide test dust with a measured mass mean 

aerodynamic diameter maximum of 1.5 μm (average of three impactor runs). All baghouse filtration 

products are tested in their initial (i.e., clean) condition. 

Each of the three test runs consisted of the following segments: 

• Conditioning period – 10,000 rapid-pulse cleaning cycles, 

• Recovery period – 30 normal-pulse cleaning cycles, 

• Performance test period – 6-hour filter fabric test period with impactor. 

VERIFIED TECHNOLOGY DESCRIPTION 

The Southern Filter Media, LLC company provided the following information about their product. The 

PE-16/M-SPES is a 16 oz singed Micro-Denier polyester felt. Figure 1 is a photograph of the fabric. 

Sample material was received as nine 46 x 91 cm (18 x 36 in.) swatches marked with the manufacturer’s 

model number, year, and month of manufacture, and cake side. Three of the swatches were selected at 

random for preparing three test specimens 150 mm (5.9 in.) in diameter. 

VERIFICATION OF PERFORMANCE 

Verification testing of the Southern Filter Media, LLC, PE-16/M-SPES filter fabric was performed during 

October 17–24, 2006, for standard test conditions at the test facility of ETS, Incorporated, 1401 

Municipal Road, Roanoke, VA 24012. Test conditions are listed in Table 1. The overall test results 

summarized in Table 2 are the averages of three individual tests. 

*Filtration velocity and gas-to-cloth ratio are used interchangeably and are defined as the gas flow rate divided by 

the surface area of the cloth. 

ii 
Test parameter Value 

Dust concentration 18.4 ± 3.6 g/dscm (8.0 ± 1.6 gr/dscf) 

Filtration velocity (G/C) 120 ± 6 m/h (6.6 ± 0.3 fpm) 

Pressure loss before cleaning 1,000 ± 12 Pa (4 ± 0.05 in. w.g.) 

Tank pressure 0.5 ± 0.03 MPa (75 + 5 psi) 

Valve opening time 50 ± 5 ms 

Air temperature 25 + 2 oC (77 + 4 oF) 

Relative humidity 50 ± 10 %

Total raw gas stream flow rate 5.8 ± 0.3 m3/h (3.4 ± 0.2 cfm) 

Sample gas stream flow rate 1.13 ± 0.06 m3/h (0.67 ± 0.03 cfm) 

Number of filtration cycles 

• During conditioning period 10,000 cycles 

• During recovery period 30 cycles 

Performance test duration 6 h ± 1 s 

Southern Filter Media, LLC PE-16/M-SPES 

Figure 1. Photograph of Southern Filter Media, LLC’s PE-16/M-SPES filter fabric

Table 1. Test Conditions for Baghouse Filtration Products Brand/Model: 

Southern Filter Media, LLC’s PE-16/M-SPES 

iii 
Verification parameter 

At verification test 

conditions 

a Outlet particle concentration at standard conditions

 PM2.5, g/dscm 0.000051 

 (gr/dscf) 

 Total mass, g/dscmb

(0.000022) 

0.000057 

(gr/dscf) (0.000025) 

Average residual pressure drop, cm w.g. (in. w.g.) 4.79 (1.89) 

Initial residual pressure drop, cm w.g. (in. w.g.) 4.47 (1.76) 

Residual pressure drop increase, cm w.g. (in. w.g.) 0.53 (0.21) 

Filtration cycle time, s 70 

Mass gain of test sample filter, g (gr) 0.68 (10) 

Number of cleaning cycles 309 

NA = Not applicable – values shown are for three tests. a Standard conditions: 101.3 kPa (14.7 psia) and 20 °C (68 °F). One or more of the impactor substrate weight 

changes for these results were near the reproducibility of the balance. b Total mass includes the mass of PM2.5 and larger particles that passed through the fabric. 

Southern Filter Media, LLC PE-16/M-SPES 

Table 2. Baghouse Filtration Product Three-run Average Test

Results for Southern Filter Media, LLC’s Fabric PE-16/M-SPES 

The APCT Center quality assurance officer has reviewed the test results and the quality control data and 

has concluded that the data quality objectives given in the generic verification protocol and test/QA plan 

have been attained. 

This verification statement addresses five aspects of filter fabric performance: filter outlet PM2.5 

concentration, filter outlet total mass concentration, pressure drop ()P), filtration cycle time, and mass 

gain on the filter fabric. Users may wish to consider other performance parameters such as temperature, 

service life, and cost when selecting a filter fabric for their application. 

In accordance with the generic verification protocol, this verification statement is applicable to filter 

media manufactured between the signature date of the verification statement and 3 years thereafter. 

iv 
v 

Southern Filter Media, LLC PE-16/M-SPES

signed by Sally Gutierrez 2/28/07 signed by Andrew R. Trenholm 2/20/07

Sally Gutierrez Date Andrew R. Trenholm Date 

Director Director 

National Risk Management Research Laboratory APCT Center 

Office of Research and Development RTI International 

United States Environmental Protection Agency 

 

NOTICE: ETV verifications are based on an evaluation of technology performance under specific, predetermined 

criteria and the appropriate quality assurance procedures. EPA and RTI make no express or implied warranties as to 

the performance of the technology and do not certify that a technology will always operate as verified. The end user 

is solely responsible for complying with any and all applicable federal, state, and local requirements. Mention of 

commercial product names does not imply endorsement.
Southern Filter Media, LLC PE-16/M-SPES 

Notice 

This document was prepared by RTI International*

 (RTI) and its subcontractor ETS, Inc. (ETS) with 

partial funding from Cooperative Agreement No. CR 831911-01 with the U.S. Environmental Protection 

Agency (EPA). The document has been subjected to RTI/EPA’s peer and administrative reviews and has 

been approved for publication. Mention of corporation names, trade names, or commercial products does 

not constitute endorsement or recommendation for use of specific products. 

*

 RTI International is a trade name of Research Triangle Institute. 

vi 
Southern Filter Media, LLC PE-16/M-SPES 

Foreword 

The Environmental Technology Verification (ETV) Program, established by the U.S. Environmental 

Protection Agency (EPA), is designed to accelerate the development and commercialization of new or 

improved technologies through third-party verification and reporting of performance. The goal of the 

ETV Program is to verify the performance of commercially ready environmental technologies through the 

evaluation of objective and quality-assured data so that potential purchasers and permitters are provided 

with an independent and credible assessment of the technology that they are buying or permitting. 

The Air Pollution Control Technology Verification Center (APCT Center) is part of the EPA’s ETV 

Program and is operated as a partnership between RTI International (RTI) and EPA. The center verifies 

the performance of commercially ready air pollution control technologies. Verification tests use approved 

protocols, and verified performance is reported in verification statements signed by EPA and RTI 

officials. RTI contracts with ETS, Inc. (ETS) to perform verification tests on baghouse filtration 

products, including filter media. 

Baghouses are air pollution control devices used to control particulate emissions from stationary sources 

and are among the technologies evaluated by the APCT Center. The APCT Center developed (and EPA 

approved) the Generic Verification Protocol for Baghouse Filtration Products to provide guidance on 

these verification tests. 

The following report reviews the performance of Southern Filter Media, LLC’s PE-16/M-SPES. ETV 

testing of this technology was conducted during October 2006 at ETS. All testing was performed in 

accordance with an approved test/QA plan that implements the requirements of the generic verification 

protocol at the test laboratory. 

vii 
Southern Filter Media, LLC PE-16/M-SPES 

Availability of Verification Statement and Report 

Copies of this verification report are available from: 

• RTI International 

Engineering and Technology Unit 

P.O. Box 12194 

Research Triangle Park, NC 27709-2194

• U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 

Air Pollution Prevention and Control Division (E343-02) 

109 T. W. Alexander Drive 

Research Triangle Park, NC 27711 

 Web Site: 

http://www.epa.gov/etv/verifications/verification-index.html (electronic copy) 

viii 
Southern Filter Media, LLC PE-16/M-SPES 

Table of Contents 

Page

ETV Joint Verification Statement..................................................................................................................i 

Notice..........................................................................................................................................................vii 

Foreword....................................................................................................................................................viii 

Availability of Verification Statement and Report ...................................................................................... ix 

List of Figures.............................................................................................................................................. xi 

List of Tables ............................................................................................................................................... xi 

List of Abbreviations and Acronyms..........................................................................................................xii 

Acknowledgments...................................................................................................................................... xiv 

Section 1. Introduction............................................................................................................................ 1 

Section 2. Verification Test Description................................................................................................. 1 

2.1. Description of the Test Rig and Methodology ............................................................. 2 

2.2. Selection of Filtration Sample for Testing ................................................................... 3 

2.3. Control Tests ................................................................................................................ 3 

2.4. Analysis........................................................................................................................ 4 

Section 3. Description of Filter Fabric.................................................................................................... 7 

Section 4. Verification of Performance................................................................................................... 7 

4.1. Quality Assurance ........................................................................................................ 7 

4.2. Results .......................................................................................................................... 7 

4.3. Limitations and Applications ....................................................................................... 8 

Section 5. References.............................................................................................................................. 8 

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Southern Filter Media, LLC PE-16/M-SPES 

List of Figures 

Page 

Figure 1. Diagram of FEMA test apparatus.............................................................................................. 6 

List of Tables 

Table 1. 

Table 2. 

Summary of Control Test Results................................................................................. 4 

Summary of Verification Results For Southern Filter Media, LLC’s Fabric PE-16/MSPES ............................................................................................................................. 8 

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Southern Filter Media, LLC PE-16/M-SPES 

List of Abbreviations and Acronyms 

APCT Center Air Pollution Control Technology Verification Center 

APPCD Air Pollution Prevention and Control Division 

BFP baghouse filtration product 

cfm cubic feet per minute 

cm centimeters 

cm w.g. centimeters of water gauge 

dia. diameter 

)P pressure drop 

dscmh dry standard cubic meters per hour 

EPA U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 

ETS ETS, Incorporated 

ETV Environmental Technology Verification 

FEMA Filtration Efficiency Media Analyzer 

fpm feet per minute 

ft3 cubic feet 

g grams 

G/C gas-to-cloth ratio (filtration velocity) 

gr grains 

gr/dscf grains per dry standard cubic foot 

g/dscm grams per dry standard cubic meter 

g/h grams per hour 

g/m2 grams per square meter 

hr hours 

in. inches 

in. w.g. inches of water gauge 

kg/m2 kilograms per square meter 

kPa kilopascals 

m meters 

mbar millibars 

min minutes 

m/h meters per hour 

m3

/h cubic meters per hour 

xi 
Southern Filter Media, LLC PE-16/M-SPES 

mm millimeters 

MPa megapascals 

ms milliseconds 

NA not applicable 

oz/yd2 ounces per square yard 

Pa pascals 

PM particulate matter 

PM2.5 particulate matter 2.5 micrometers in aerodynamic diameter or smaller 

psi pounds per square inch 

psia pounds per square inch absolute 

PTFE polytetrafluoroethylene 

QA quality assurance 

QC quality control 

RTI RTI International 

s seconds 

scf standard cubic feet 

scfm standard cubic feet per minute 

VDI Verein Deutscher Ingenieure 

w.g. water gauge 

μg micrograms 

μm micrometers 

EC degrees Celsius 

EF degrees Fahrenheit 

ER degrees Rankine 

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Southern Filter Media, LLC PE-16/M-SPES 

Acknowledgments 

The authors acknowledge the support of all those who helped plan and conduct the verification activities. 

In particular, we would like to thank Michael Kosusko, EPA’s Project Manager, and Paul Groff, EPA’s 

Quality Assurance Manager, both of EPA’s National Risk Management Research Laboratory in Research 

Triangle Park, NC. Finally, we would like to acknowledge the assistance and participation of Southern 

Filter Media, LLC personnel who supported the test effort. 

For more information on Southern Filter Media’s Polyester Felt, contact: 

Charles Poe 

Southern Filter Media, LLC 

P.O. Box 5241 

Chattanooga, TN 37406 

(423) 698-8988 

charlie@sfmbags.com 

For more information on verification testing of baghouse filtration products, contact: 

Andrew Trenholm 

RTI International 

P.O. Box 12194 

Research Triangle Park, NC 27709-2194 

(919) 316-3742 

atrenholm@rti.org 

xiii 
Southern Filter Media, LLC PE-16/M-SPES 

SECTION 1 

INTRODUCTION 

This report reviews the filtration and pressure drop ()P) performance of Southern Filter Media, LLC’s 

PE-16/M-SPES. Environmental Technology Verification (ETV) testing of this technology/product was 

conducted during a series of tests in October 2006, by ETS, Inc. (ETS), under contract with the Air 

Pollution Control Technology Verification Center (APCT Center). The objective of the APCT Center 

and the ETV Program is to verify, with high data quality, the performance of air pollution control 

technologies. Control of fine particle emissions from various industrial and electric utility sources 

employing baghouse control technology is within the scope of the APCT Center. An APCT Center 

program area was designed by RTI International (RTI) and a technical panel of experts to evaluate the 

performance of particulate filters for fine particle (PM2.5) emission control. Based on the activities of this 

technical panel, the Generic Verification Protocol for Baghouse Filtration Products was developed. This 

protocol was chosen as the best guide to verify the filtration performance of baghouse filtration products 

(BFPs). The specific test/quality assurance (QA) plan for the ETV test of the technology was developed 

and approved in May 2000 with an approved update in February 2006. The goal of the test was to 

measure filtration performance of both PM2.5 and total PM as well as the pressure drop characteristics of 

the Southern Filter Media, LLC technology identified above. 

Section 2 documents the procedures and methods used for the test and the conditions over which the test 

was conducted. A description of the Southern Filter Media, LLC’s PE-16/M-SPES technology is 

presented in Section 3. The results of the test are summarized and discussed in Section 4, and references 

are presented in Section 5. 

This report contains summary information and data from the test as well as the verification statement. 

Complete documentation of the test results is provided in a separate data package and audit of data quality 

report. These reports include the raw test data from product testing and supplemental testing, equipment 

calibrations results, and QA and quality control (QC) activities and results. Complete documentation of 

QA/QC activities and results, raw test data, and equipment calibrations results are retained in ETS’s files 

for 7 years. 

SECTION 2 

VERIFICATION TEST DESCRIPTION 

The baghouse filtration products were tested in accordance with the APCT Center Generic Verification 

Protocol for Baghouse Filtration Products1

 and the Test/QA Plan for the Verification Testing of 

Baghouse Filtration Products.

2

 This protocol incorporated all requirements for quality management, QA, 

procedures for product selection, auditing of the test laboratories, and reporting format. The Generic 

Verification Protocol (GVP) describes the overall procedures to be used for verification testing and 

defines the data quality objectives. The values for inlet dust concentration, raw gas flow rate, and 

filtration velocity used for current verification testing have been revised in consultation with the technical 

panel since posting of the GVP. These revisions are documented in Section 4.1. The test/QA plan details 

how the test laboratory at ETS will implement and meet the requirements of the GVP. 

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Southern Filter Media, LLC PE-16/M-SPES 

2.1 DESCRIPTION OF THE TEST RIG AND METHODOLOGY 

The tests were conducted in ETS’s Filtration Efficiency Media Analyzer (FEMA) test apparatus 

(Figure 1). The test apparatus consists of a brush-type dust feeder that disperses test dust into a vertical 

rectangular duct (raw-gas channel). The dust feed rate is continuously measured and recorded via an 

electronic scale located beneath the dust feed mechanism. The scale has a continuous read-out with a 

resolution of 10 g. A radioactive polonium-210 alpha source is used to neutralize the dust electrically 

before its entry into the raw-gas channel. An optical photo sensor monitors the concentration of dust and 

ensures that the flow is stable for the entire duration of the test. The optical photo sensor does not 

measure concentration. A portion of the gas flow is extracted from the raw-gas channel through the test 

filter, which is mounted vertically at the entrance to a horizontal duct (clean-gas channel). The clean-gas 

channel flow is separated in two gas streams, a sample stream and a bypass stream. An aerodynamic “Y” 

is used for this purpose. The aerodynamic “Y” is designed for isokinetic separation of the clean gas with 

40 percent of the clean gas entering the sample-gas channel without change in gas velocity. The samplegas channel contains an Andersen impactor for particle separation and measurement. The bypass channel 

contains an absolute filter. The flow within the two segments of the “Y” is continuously monitored and 

maintained at selected rates by adjustable valves. Two vacuum pumps maintain air flow through the rawgas and clean-gas channels. The flow rates, and thus the gas-to-cloth ratio (G/C) through the test filter, 

are kept constant and measured using mass flow controllers. A pressure transducer is used to measure the 

average residual pressure drop of the filter sample. The pressure transducer measures the differential 

pressure across the filter samples 3 seconds after the cleaning pulse. The pressure drop measurements are 

then averaged as described in Appendix C, Section 4.4.1 of the GVP.1

 High-efficiency filters are installed 

upstream of the flow controllers and pumps to prevent contamination or damage caused by the dust. The 

cleaning system consists of a compressed-air tank set at 0.5 MPa (75 psi), a quick-action diaphragm 

valve, and a blow tube [25.4 mm (1.0 in.) dia.] with a nozzle [3 mm (0.12 in.) dia.] facing the downstream 

side of the test filter. 

Mean outlet particle concentration is determined when a portion of the gas flow is extracted from the rawgas channel through the test filter, which is mounted vertically at the entrance to a horizontal duct (cleangas channel). The clean-gas flow is separated using an aerodynamic “Y” so that a representative sample 

of the clean gas flows through an Andersen impactor that determines the outlet particle concentration. 

The particle size was measured while a fine dust was injected into the air stream upstream of the filter 

fabric sample. 

The following series of tests was performed on three separate, randomly selected filter fabric samples: 

• Conditioning period, 

• Recovery period, and 

• Performance test period. 

To simulate long-term operation, the test filter was first subjected to a conditioning period, which consists 

of 10,000 rapid pulse cleaning cycles under continuous dust loading. During this period, the time 

between cleaning pulses is maintained at 3 seconds. No filter performance parameters are measured in 

this period. 

The conditioning period is immediately followed by a recovery period, which allows the test filter fabric 

to recover from rapid pulsing. The recovery period consists of 30 normal filtration cycles under 

continuous and constant dust loading. During a normal filtration cycle, the dust cake is allowed to form 

on the test filter until a differential pressure of 1,000 Pa (4.0 in. w.g.) is reached. At this point the test 

filter is cleaned by a pulse of compressed air from the clean-gas side of the fabric. The next filtration 

cycle begins immediately after the cleaning is complete. 

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Southern Filter Media, LLC PE-16/M-SPES 

Performance testing occurs for a 6-hour period immediately following the recovery period (a cumulative 

total of 10,030 filtration cycles after the test filter has been installed in the test apparatus). During the 

performance test period, normal filtration cycles are maintained and, as in the case of the conditioning and 

recovery periods, the test filter is subjected to continuous and constant dust loading. 

The filtration velocity (G/C) and inlet dust concentrations are maintained at 120 ± 6 m/h (6.6 ± 0.3 fpm) 

and 18.4 ± 3.6 g/dscm (8.0 ± 1.6 gr/dscf), respectively, throughout all phases of the test. 

2.2 SELECTION OF FILTRATION SAMPLE FOR TESTING 

Filter fabric samples of PE-16/M-SPES were supplied to ETS directly from the manufacturer (Southern 

Filter Media, LLC) with a letter signed by Charles Poe, President and Chief Executive Officer, Southern 

Filter Media, LLC, attesting that the filter media were selected at random in an unbiased manner from 

commercial-grade media and were not treated in any manner different from the media provided to 

customers. The manufacturer supplied the test laboratory with nine 46 x 91 cm (18 x 36 in.) filter 

samples. The test laboratory randomly selected three samples and prepared them for testing by cutting 

one test specimen of 150 mm (5.9 in.) diameter from each selected sample for insertion in the test rig 

sample holder. The sample holder has an opening 140 mm (5.5 in.) in diameter, which is the dimension 

used to calculate the face area of the tested specimen. 

2.3 CONTROL TESTS 

Two types of control tests were performed during the verification test series. The first was a dust 

characterization, which is performed monthly. The reference dust used during the verification tests was 

Pural NF aluminum oxide dust. The Pural NF dust was oven dried for 2 hours and sealed in an airtight 

container prior to its insertion into the FEMA apparatus. The dust characterization results had to meet the 

requirements of a 1.5 ± 1.0 μm maximum mass mean diameter and between 40 and 90 percent less than 

2.5 μm to continue the verification test series. 

The second control test, the reference value test, is performed quarterly using the reference fabric and the 

FEMA apparatus. The reference value test determines the weight gain of the reference fabric as well as 

the maximum pressure drop. The results of the test verify that the FEMA apparatus is operating 

consistently within the required parameters. Reference values tests are conducted and the average fabric 

maximum pressure drop must be 0.60 cm w.g. ± 40% and the fabric weight gain average must be 1.12 g ± 

40%. 

The results of the control tests are summarized in Table 1. 

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Southern Filter Media, LLC PE-16/M-SPES 

Table 1. Summary of Control Test Results 

Requirement Measured value Met requirements? 

Mass mean diameter, μm 1.5 ± 1.0 1.8 Yes 

% Less than 2.5 μm 40 - 90% 63 Yes 

Weight gain, g 1.12 ± 40% 0.87 Yes 

Maximum )P, cm w.g. 0.60 ± 40% 0.47 Yes 

)P = pressure drop. 

Three reference value control test runs were conducted. 

2.4 ANALYSIS 

The equations used for verification analysis are described below. 

Af = Exposed area of sample filter, m2 

Cds = Dry standard outlet particulate concentration of total mass, g/dscm 

C2.5ds = Dry standard outlet particulate concentration of PM2.5, g/dscm 

d = Diameter of exposed area of sample filter, m 

Fa = Dust feed concentration corrected for actual conditions, g/m3 

Fs = Dust feed concentration corrected for standard conditions, g/dscm 

G/C = Gas-to-cloth ratio, m/h 

Mt = Total mass gain from Andersen impactor, g 

M2.5 = Total mass gain of particles equal to or less than 2.5 μm diameter from Andersen impactor, g. 

This value may need to be linearly interpolated from test data. 

N = Number of filtration cycles in a given performance test period 

Pavg = Average residual pressure drop, cm w.g. 

Pi = Residual pressure drop for ith filtration cycle, cm w.g. 

Ps = Absolute gas pressure as measured in the raw-gas channel, mbar 

Qa = Actual gas flow rate, m3

/h 

Qds = Dry standard gas flow rate, dscmh 

Q2.5ds = Dry standard gas flow rate for 2.5 μm particles, dscmh 

Qst = Standard gas flow rate for a specific averaging time, t, dscmh 

t = Specified averaging time or sampling time, s 

tc = Average filtration cycle time, s 

Ts = Raw-gas channel temperature, EF 

wf = Weight of dust in feed hopper following specified time, g. Because of vibrations causing 

short-term fluctuations to the feed hopper, it is recommended that this value be measured as a 

1-min average. 

wi = Weight of dust in feed hopper at the beginning of the specified time, g. Because of vibrations 

causing short-term fluctuations to the feed hopper, it is recommended that this value be 

measured as a 1-min average. 

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Southern Filter Media, LLC PE-16/M-SPES 

Conversion factors and standard values used in the equations are listed below. 

460 = 0 o

F, in oR 

1,013 = Standard atmospheric pressure, mbar 

528 = Standard temperature, o

R 

Area of Sample Fabric –Af 

Af = (B * d2 )/4 

Actual Gas Flow Rate –Qa 

Qa = Qds * j (Ts + 460) * 1013 k

l Ps * 528 m

Gas-to-Cloth Ratio – G/C 

G/C = Qa / Af 

Standard Dust Feed Concentration – Fs, for a specified time – t 

Fs = (wi – wf) / ( Qst * t) 

Actual Raw Gas Dust Concentration – Fa 

Fa = Fs * j (Ts + 460) * 1013 k 

l Ps * 528 m

Dry Standard Clean Gas Particulate Concentration, Total Mass – Cds 

Cds = Mt / [ Qds * t * (1 - %H2O/100) ] 

Dry Standard Clean Gas Particulate Concentration, PM2.5 – C2.5ds 

C2.5ds = M2.5 / [ Q2.5ds * t * (1 - %H2O/100) ] 

Filtration Cycle Time – tc 

tc = t/N 

Average Residual Pressure Drop – Pavg 

Pavg = GPi/N 

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Southern Filter Media, LLC PE-16/M-SPES 

DUST FEED FROM EXTERNAL HOPPER 

DUST CHARGE NEUTRALIZER 

RECTANGULAR CHANNEL 

111 x 292 mm (4-3/8 x 11-1/2") 

PHOTOMETER 

FILTER FIXTURE AND TEST FILTER 

CYLINDRICAL EXTRACTION TUBE 

CLEANING SYSTEM 

BLOW TUBE 

DIRTY AIR 

FILTER 

DUST 

CONTAINER 

ABSOLUTE FILTER AND 

ANDERSEN IMPACTOR 

CLEAN AIR PUMP 

MASS FLOW 

CONTROLLER 

CLEAN-GAS SAMPLE PORT 

DIRTY AIR 

PUMP 

ABSOLUTE 

ANDERSEN 

DUST 

FEEDER 

SCALE 

PLATFORM 

RAW-GAS SAMPLE PORT 

ADJUSTABLE 

VALVES 

CALIBRATED 

ORIFICE 

MASS FLOW 

CONTROLLER 

BACKUP 

FILTER 

Figure 1. Diagram of FEMA test apparatus 

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Southern Filter Media, LLC PE-16/M-SPES 

SECTION 3 

DESCRIPTION OF FILTER FABRIC 

The Southern Filter Media, LLC PE-16.M-SPES is a 16 ounce singed Micro-Denier polyester felt. 

SECTION 4 

VERIFICATION OF PERFORMANCE 

4.1 QUALITY ASSURANCE 

The verification tests were conducted in accordance with an approved test/QA plan.2

 The EPA quality 

assurance manager conducted an independent assessment of the test laboratory in June 2005, and found 

that the test laboratory was equipped and operated as specified in the test/QA plan. 

The ETS QA officer and APCT Center QA staff have reviewed the results of this test and have found that 

the results meet the overall data quality objectives as stated in the test/QA plan. Data on calibration 

certificates for the flow meters, flow transducers, weights, low- and high-resolution balances, 

thermometer, and humidity logger are maintained at ETS in a separate data package. 

Deviations from the test plan include organizational personnel changes. 

The ETS QA officer and APCT Center QA staff have also reviewed the results of the control tests, which 

are summarized in Section 2.3, Table 1. The dust characterization control test met the appropriate 

requirements of the test/QA plan and verification protocol. The reference fabric tests meet maximum 

pressure drop and weight gain requirements established for reference fabric performance in the GVP, 

indicating the measurement system is operating in control. 

4.2 RESULTS 

Table 2 summarizes the mean outlet particle concentration measurements for the verification test periods. 

Measurements were conducted during the 6-hour performance test period. The performance test period 

followed a 10,000-cycle conditioning period and a 30-cycle recovery period. 

The top portion of Table 2 summarizes three verification tests that were performed under standard 

verification test conditions. The average residual )P across each filter sample at the nominal 120 m/h 

(6.6 fpm) filtration velocity [for a flow rate of 5.8 m3

/h (3.4 cfm)] is also shown in Table 2. This )P 

ranged from 4.64 to 4.87 cm w.g. (1.83 to 1.92 in. w.g.) for the three filter samples tested. The residual 

)P increase ranged from 0.43 to 0.70 cm w.g. (0.17 to 0.28 in. w.g.) for the samples tested. All three 

standard condition verification runs were used to compute the averages given in Table 2. The PM2.5 

concentration average for the three runs is 0.0000509 g/dscm. The total PM concentration average for the 

three runs is 0.0000572 g/dscm. 

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Southern Filter Media, LLC PE-16/M-SPES 

Table 2. Summary of Verification Results For Southern Filter Media, LLC’s Fabric L3560 

Test run number 4V3-R2 4V3-R3 4V3-R4 Average* 

PM2.5 (g/dscm)** 0.0000611 0.0000384 0.0000531 0.0000509 

Total PM (g/dscm) 0.0000611 0.0000575 0.0000531 0.0000572 

Average residual )P (cm w.g.) 4.87 4.86 4.64 4.79 

Initial residual )P (cm w.g.) 4.64 4.38 4.38 4.47 

Residual )P increase (cm w.g.) 0.45 0.70 0.43 0.53 

Mass gain of sample filter (g) 0.63 0.71 0.69 0.68 

Average filtration cycle time (s) 76 61 74 70 

Number of cleaning cycles 283 351 292 309 

* All three verification runs were used to compute averages. 

** One or more of the impactor substrate weight changes for these results was near the reproducibility limit of the 

balance.

4.3 LIMITATIONS AND APPLICATIONS 

This verification report addresses two aspects of baghouse filtration product performance: outlet particle 

concentration and )P. Users may wish to consider other performance parameters such as service life and 

cost when selecting a baghouse filtration fabric for their application. 

In accordance with the GVP, this verification statement is applicable to baghouse filtration products 

manufactured between signature of the verification statement and 3 years thereafter. 

SECTION 5 

REFERENCES 

1. Generic Verification Protocol for Baghouse Filtration Products, ETS Inc., Roanoke, VA and RTI 

International, Research Triangle Park, NC, October 2001. Available at 

http://www.epa.gov/etv/pdfs/vp/05_vp_bfp.pdf. 

2. Test/QA Plan for the Verification Testing of Baghouse Filtration Products (Revision 2), ETS, 

Inc., Roanoke, VA and RTI International, Research Triangle Park, NC, February 2006. Available 

at http://www.epa.gov/etv/pdfs/testplan/600etv06095/600etv06095.pdf. 

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