Nanofiber filter media

[0001] This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Application Serial No. 60/354,062 filed on 31 Jan. 2002.

[0002] The present invention is directed to a filter medium comprising: fibrillated fibers having a Canadian Standard Freeness of less than about 45, the filter medium having performance criteria of: a thickness of less than or equal to about 0.25 millimeters and a Figure of Merit of greater than about 0.075, and an efficiency of greater than about 99.9% when capturing aerosol particles of about 0.18 microns in size and a pressure drop of less than about 40 millimeters water column at a flow rate of about 32 liters/minute through a sample 100 cm² in size; and wherein if the filter medium is thinner than 0.25 millimeters, then the efficiency and pressure drop of the thinner filter medium when adjusted to account for a difference in thickness up to 0.25 millimeters thick, can provide a filter medium that meets or exceeds the performance criteria.

[0003] In another aspect, the present invention is directed to a filter medium comprising: a mixture of microglass fibers and fibrillated lyocell fibers having a Canadian Standard Freeness of less than about 45, the filter medium having performance criteria of: a thickness of less than or equal to about 0.25 millimeters and a Figure of Merit of greater than about 0.075, and an efficiency of greater than about 99.9% when capturing aerosol particles of about 0.18 microns in size and a pressure drop of less than about 40 millimeters water column at a flow rate of about 32 liters/minute through a sample 100cm² in size; and wherein if the filter medium is thinner than 0.25 millimeters, then the efficiency and pressure drop of the thinner filter medium when adjusted to account for a difference in thickness up to 0.25 millimeters thick, can provide a filter medium that meets or exceeds the performance criteria.

[0004] In yet another aspect, the present invention is directed to a filter medium comprising: fibrillated lyocell fibers having a Canadian Standard Freeness of less than about 10, the filter medium having performance criteria of: a thickness of less than or equal to about 0.25 millimeters and a Figure of Merit of greater than about 0.075, and an efficiency of greater than about 99.9% when capturing aerosol particles of about 0.18 microns in size and a pressure drop of less than about 40 millimeters water column at a flow rate of about 32 liters/minute through a sample 100 cm² in size; and wherein if the filter medium is thinner than 0.25 millimeters, then the efficiency and pressure drop of the thinner filter medium when adjusted to account for a difference in thickness up to 0.25 millimeters thick, can provide a filter medium that meets or exceeds the performance criteria.

[0005] The present invention includes filter systems incorporating the filter media generally described above.

[0006] In still yet another aspect, the present invention is directed to a process of making an air filter medium comprising the steps of: dispersing fibrillated fibers; and forming a layer of the fibrillated fibers having a thickness of less than about 0.25 millimeters such that the filter medium has performance criteria of: a Figure of Merit of greater than about 0.075, and an efficiency of greater than about 99.9% when capturing aerosol particles of about 0.18 microns in size and a pressure drop of less than about 40 millimeters water column at a flow rate of about 32 liters/minute through a sample 100 cm² in size; and wherein if the filter medium is thinner than 0.25 millimeters, then the efficiency and pressure drop of the thinner filter medium when adjusted to account for a difference in thickness up to 0.25 millimeters thick, can provide a filter medium that meets or exceeds the performance criteria.

[0007] In still yet another aspect, the present invention is directed to a method of enhancing performance of an existing filter medium comprising the steps of: providing a plurality of nanofibers; wet laying the nanofibers on the existing filter medium wherein the nanofibers are loaded onto the existing filter medium at a rate of about 0.5 g/m² to about 11.0 g/m²; and increasing a Figure of Merit of the existing filter medium by at least about 100%. Preferably, in the step of providing a plurality of fibrillated nanofibers, the nanofibers include microglass fibers, lyocell nanofibers, acrylic nanofibers, or combinations thereof. The method may further include the steps of providing a solid binder wherein the fibrillated nanofibers and solid binder are wet laid on the existing filter medium, and activating the solid binder.

[0008] The features of the invention believed to be novel and the elements characteristic of the invention are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The figures are for illustration purposes only and are not drawn to scale. The invention itself, however, both as to organization and method of operation, may best be understood by reference to the description of the preferred embodiment(s) which follows taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

[0009] FIG. 1 is a graph illustrating particle interception as the air velocity through the filter medium varies

[0010] Definitions

[0011] Binder shall mean a material used principally to hold other materials together.

[0012] Canadian Standard Freeness or CSF shall mean a value for the freeness or drainage rate of pulp as measured by the rate that a suspension of pulp may be drained. This methodology is well known to one having skill in the paper making arts.

[0013] DOP shall mean dioctyl phanthalate. A monodispersion of DOP droplets having a particle size of 0.18 microns was used for testing the filtration medium of the present invention.

[0014] Fiber shall mean a solid that is characterized by a high aspect ratio of length to diameter of, for example, several hundred to one. Any discussion of fibers includes whiskers.

[0015] Filter medium shall mean a material that performs fluid filtration.

[0016] FOM or Figure of Merit shall mean

[0017] where FE is the fractional interception efficiency of the filter medium at a specific flow velocity and for a specific particle size. P is the differential pressure, also referred to as pressure drop or resistance, across the filter medium at a specific flow velocity. In this specification, the standard aerosol is 0.18 microns DOP carried at a flow rate of 32 liters/minute through a filter area of 100 cm². It shall be understood that the FOM value of an anisotropic medium is a constant such that the pressure drop varies in direct proportion to the thickness of the filter medium and log (1FE) also varies in direct proportion to the thickness of the medium such that the FOM is a constant for a given filter medium regardless of the thickness of the final filter medium.

[0018] Fluid shall mean a liquid, gas, or combination thereof.

[0019] Forming shall mean converting a loose, unstructured substance into a cohesive, uniform structure. For example, the conversion of loose fibers into a paper.

[0020] HEPA filter or filter medium is taken to mean high efficiency particulate air filter or filter medium capable of removing at least 99.97% of all airborne particulate matter 0.3 micron in diameter and larger.

[0021] Intercept or interception are taken to mean interfering with, or stopping the passage of, so as to affect, remove, inactivate or influence.

[0022] Nanofiber shall mean a fiber having a diameter less than about 3.0 millimeters.

[0023] Nonwoven means a web or fabric or other medium having a structure of individual fibers that are interlaid, but not in a highly organized manner as in a knitted or woven fabric. Nonwoven webs generally may be prepared by methods that are well known in the art. Examples of such processes include, but are not limited to, and by way of illustration only, meltblowing, spunbonding, carding, and air laying.

[0024] Paper or paper-like shall mean a generally flat, fibrous layer or mat of material formed by a wet laid process.

[0025] Particle shall mean a solid having a size range from the colloidal to macroscopic, and with no specific limitation on shape, but generally of a limited length to width ratio.

[0026] Sheet shall mean a roughly two-dimensional structure having a length and a width that are significantly greater than its thickness.

[0027] Whisker shall mean a filament having a limited aspect ratio and intermediate between the aspect ratio of a particle and a fiber. Any discussion of fibers includes whiskers.

[0028] Characteristics of the Filter Medium

[0029] The high efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter medium of the present invention comprises a plurality of nanofibers and a binder formed into a layer having a thickness of less than about 0.25 millimeters and an efficiency of greater than about 99.9% for aerosol particles of about 0.18 microns in diameter when air passes through a 100 cm² diameter disk of filter medium at a flow rate of about 32 liters/minute at about 20 C. and atmospheric pressure and at a pressure drop of less than about 45 millimeters water column. The filter medium of the present invention makes it possible to increase the amount of filter medium incorporated into a final filter design because it is thin and pleatable, thereby enhancing filter performance. Existing filter systems can be retrofitted with substantially more of the filter medium of the present invention since each layer is much thinner than traditional HEPA materials that have a thickness of 0.38 to 0.457 millimeters, with similar or improved aerosol interception at a modest pressure drop.

[0030] Air filters including the filter medium of the present invention are useful in applications such as, for example, air circulation systems in buildings, vehicles, in particular enclosed vehicles, vacuum cleaners, respirator filters, or other applications that require filtered air.

[0031] A coating of nanofibers on an existing filter medium can also be used to enhance the performance of an existing filter medium and can provide an increase of more than about 100% in the Figure of Merit (FOM) of an existing filter.

[0032] The filter medium can also be electrostatically charged to provide enhanced filtration performance. Further treatment of the filter medium can provide biocidal properties for microbiological interception useful in respirators for nuclear, biological, and chemical (NBC) defense.

[0033] There are two fundamental methods for the production of improved air filter media. The first is to produce a material with an enhanced Figure of Merit (FOM), roughly equal to the log of particle interception divided by the differential pressure across the filter medium. Although there are variations on the FOM concept, the basic equation is:

[0034] where FE is the fractional interception efficiency of the filter medium at a specific flow velocity and for a specific particle size, and P is the pressure drop also measured at a specific flow velocity.

[0035] When a filter medium is isotropic with depth and operates in the laminar flow regime, then the FOM is basically a constant for such a filter medium regardless of any variations in basis weight for different samples of the filter medium. This is a very useful tool when comparing a variety of filter media. For example, the FOM is usually greatly improved through the application of an electrostatic charge on the air filter medium, or for materials using extremely small fibers that operate in the slip regime.

[0036] However, when two filter media have the same FOM, but one is many times thicker than the other, clearly one would use the thin filter medium because space is almost always at a premium in the design of a filter product. When the filter medium is pleated, the thickness of the filter medium plays a pivotal role in achieving maximum filter surface area. If twice as much filter paper can be packed into a filter, the velocity of air through the filter paper is reduced in half compared to the base case. In addition, the efficiency of particle interception by an air filter improves as the velocity of air through the filter paper declines. This is especially important for small particles that must diffuse to the filter surface. FIG. 1 illustrates particle interception as the air velocity through the filter medium varies. The Optimized Nano HEPA is the HEPA material of the present invention after having been adjusted for thickness. Any reduction in air flow, by adding more filter medium into the filter design (more pleats), made possible through the use of a thin material, provides significant benefits. Additional pleats allow the filter system to have a lower pressure drop and improved particle interception efficiency because it operates at a lower air flow velocity when pleated. Thickness of the filter medium, therefore, indirectly influences both the filtration efficiency and pressure drop in a pleated filter, as it alters the optimum packing of the pleats.

[0037] The present invention provides an efficient flat-sheet filter medium with a good FOM value that is also extremely thin. It is possible to produce filter media with the same FOM as current-generation epoxy-glass filter papers, but at only a fraction of the thickness of the glass medium and with similar overall stiffness and tensile properties. The present invention provides the preferred approach to building a pleated air filter.

[0038] The Nanofibers

[0039] The filter medium of the present invention is comprised of nanofibers that may be organic or inorganic materials including, but not limited to, polymers, engineered resins, ceramics, cellulose, rayon, glass, metal, activated alumina, carbon or activated carbon, silica, zeolites, or combinations thereof. Combinations of organic and inorganic fibers and/or whiskers are contemplated and within the scope of the invention as for example, glass, ceramic, or metal fibers and polymeric fibers may be used together.

[0040] When the filter medium is produced by a wet laid process from nanofibers of cellulose or polymer fibers, such fibers should also have a Canadian Standard Freeness of less than or equal to about 45, and can be less than or equal to about 2. Preferably, a significant portion of the fibers should have a diameter less than or equal to about 1000 nanometers, more preferably less than or equal to about 400 nanometers, and fibers less than or equal to about 200 nanometers in diameter are most preferred. It is preferable to chop the fibers to a length of about 1 millimeter to about 8 millimeters, preferably about 2 millimeters to about 6 millimeters, and more preferably about 3 millimeters to about 4 millimeters. Fibrillated fibers are most preferred due to their exceptionally fine dimensions and potentially low cost.

[0041] Preferably, fibrillated synthetic cellulose or acrylic fibers, processed in accordance with the present invention, can produce an ultra-fine filter medium of the present invention. Such fibrillated cellulose fibers can be made by direct dissolution and spinning of wood pulp in an organic solvent, such as an amine oxide, and are known as lyocell fibers. Lyocell fibers have the advantage of being produced in a consistent, uniform manner, thus yielding reproducible results, which may not be the case for, for example, natural cellulose fibers. Further, the fibrils of lyocell are often curled. The curls provide a significant amount of fiber entanglement, resulting in a finished filter medium with high dry strength and significant residual wet strength. Furthermore, the fibrillated lyocell fibers may be produced in large quantities using equipment of modest capital cost. It will be understood that fibers other than cellulose may be fibrillated to produce extremely fine fibrils, such as for example, artificial fibers, in particular, acrylic or nylon fibers, or other cellulosic materials.

[0042] Combinations of fibrillated and non-fibrillated fibers may be used in the present invention. For example, microglass fibers can be admixed with fibrillated polymeric fibers to decrease the cost of the total fiber mixture and aid dispersion while maintaining the desired performance. Preferably, the microglass fibers have a diameter of about 0.25 micron to about 1 micron, and preferably about 0.5 micron to about 0.75 microns, and more preferably about 0.65 microns. The amount of microglass fibers may be up to about 90% by weight of the filter medium.

[0043] A most preferred embodiment comprises nanofibers of fibrillated lyocell having an average diameter of less than about 200 nanometers and a chopped fiber length of about 3 to about 5 millimeters. The fibrillated lyocell fibers can be admixed with a portion of inexpensive microglass fibers to lower costs yet maintain a desired level of efficiency at an acceptable pressure drop.

[0044] Enhancing Mechanical Strength of the Filter Medium

[0045] The mechanical strength of the filter medium can be enhanced by forming the filter medium on a support layer that does not significantly impede the flow of air passing through the filter medium. The support layer can be any air permeable substrate provided that the pore size of the support layer is not so large that the nanofibers would be pulled through the air permeable substrate under vacuum pressure. The support layer can be a material made from woven, nonwoven, spunbond, meltblown, cellulosic, and other fibrous materials. An example of such a substrate is a spun-bonded polyester, such as REEMAY 2004 or REEMAY 2275, available from BBA Nonwovens Reemay, Inc., of Old Hickory, Tenn. The support layer can also be treated or made of materials that are resistant to mold, mildew, fungus or bacteria.

[0046] Another means of imparting mechanical strength to the filter medium is by admixing a portion of binder with the nanofibers. It is well known in the art that the addition of epoxy, acrylic or other resins to the paper making process can provide enhanced wet strength, but these water-dispersed resins often cause lower permeability in the final product, especially as fiber size decreases. Although these resins and resin systems can be used in the current invention, it is preferable to use thermoplastic or thermoset materials known in the art, and in either powder, particulate or fiber form. The binder is chosen such that the melting point of the binder material is sufficiently lower than the melting point of the nanofibers so that the filter medium can be heated to activate the binder, while the filter medium does not melt and thereby lose porosity. The binder is preferably sufficiently evenly distributed throughout the filter medium such that later, upon activation, the binder will entrap or bond to substantially all the nanofibers.

[0047] Useful binder materials include, but are not limited to, polyolefins, polyvinyl halides, polyvinyl esters, polyvinyl ethers, polyvinyl sulfates, polyvinyl phosphates, polyvinyl amines, polyamides, polyimides, polyoxidiazoles, polytriazols, polycarbodiimides, polysulfones, polycarbonates, polyethers, polyarylene oxides, polyesters, polyarylates, phenol-formaldehyde resins, melamine-formaldehyde resins, formaldehyde-ureas, ethyl-vinyl acetate copolymers, co-polymers and block interpolymers thereof, and combinations thereof. Variations of the above materials and other useful polymers include the substitution of groups such as hydroxyl, halogen, lower alkyl groups, lower alkoxy groups, monocyclic aryl groups, and the like. Other potentially applicable materials include polymers such as polystyrenes and acrylonitrile-styrene copolymers, styrene-butadiene copolymers, and other non-crystalline or amorphous polymers and structures.

[0048] A more detailed list of binder materials that may be useful in the present invention include polyalkylenes, polyethers, polyvinyl esters, polyvinyl ethers, ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymers, end-capped polyacetals such as poly(oxymethylene) or polyformaldehyde, poly(trichloroacetaidehyde), poly(n-valeraldehyde), poly(acetaldehyde), poly(propionaldehyde), and the like; acrylic polymers, such as polyacrylamide, poly(acrylic acid), poly(methacrylic acid), poly(ethyl acrylate), poly(methyl methacrylate), and the like; fluorocarbon polymers, such as poly(tetrafluoroethylene), perfluorinated ethylene-propylene copolymers, ethylene-tetrafluoroethylene copolymers, poly(chlorotrifluoroethylene), ethylene-chlorotrifluoroethylene copolymers, poly(vinylidene fluoride), poly(vinyl fluoride), and the like; polyamides, such as poly(6-aminocaproic acid) or poly(-caprolactam), poly(hexamethylene adipamide), poly(hexamethylene sebacamide), poly(11-aminoundecanoic acid), and the like; polyaramides, such as poly(imino-1,3-phenyleneiminoisophthaloyl) or poly(m-phenylene isophthalamide), and the like; parylenes, such as poly-p-xylylene, poly(chloro-p-xylylene), and the like; polyaryl ethers, such as poly(oxy-2,6-dimethyl-1,4-phenylene) or poly(p-phenylene oxide), and the like; polyaryl sulfones, such as poly(oxy-1,4-phenylenesulfonyl-1,4-phenyleneoxy-1,4-phenylene-isopropylidene-1,4-phenylene), poly-(sulfonyl-1,4-phenyleneoxy-1,4-phenylenesulfonyl-4,4-biphenylene), and the like; polycarbonates, such as poly(bisphenol A) or poly(carbonyldioxy-1,4-phenyleneisopropylidene-1,4-phenylene), and the like; polyesters, such as poly(ethylene terephthalate), poly(tetramethylene terephthalate), poly(cyclohexylene-1,4-dimethylene terephthalate) or poly(oxymethylene-1,4-cyclohexylenemethyleneoxyterephthaloyl), and the like; polyaryl sulfides, such as poly(p-phenylene sulfide) or poly(thio-1,4-phenylene), and the like; polyimides, such as poly(pyromellitimido-1,4-phenylene), and the like; polyolefins, such as polyethylene, polypropylene, poly(1-butene), poly(2-butene), poly(1-pentene), poly(2-pentene), poly(3-methyl-1-pentene), poly(4-methyl-1-pentene), and the like; vinyl polymers, such as poly(vinyl acetate), poly(vinylidene chloride), poly(vinyl chloride), and the like; diene polymers, such as 1,2-poly-1,3-butadiene, 1,4-poly-1,3-butadiene, polyisoprene, polychloroprene, and the like; polystyrenes; copolymers of the foregoing, such as acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS) copolymers, and the like, and mixtures thereof.

[0049] A range of binder fibers, including polyethylene, polypropylene, acrylic, or polyester-polypropylene or polypropylene-polyethylene bi-component fibers, or others can be used. Preferred fiber binder materials may include FYBREL synthetic fibers and/or SHORT STUFF EST-8, both of which are polyolefin based. FYBREL is a polyolefin based synthetic pulp that is a highly fibrillated fiber and is commercially available from Mitsui Chemical Company, Japan. FYBREL has excellent thermal moldability and provides a smooth surface to the filter medium. SHORT STUFF EST-8 is commercially available from MiniFibers, Inc., Pittsburgh, Pa., and is a highly fibrillated, high density polyethylene. Low density polyethylene (LDPE) binder particles, such as MICROTHENE Grade FN510, manufactured by Equistar Chemicals, L.P. of Tuscola, Ill., is also preferred. Polyvinyl acetate (PVA) can also be used as a binder. A preferred PVA is KURALON VPB071 commercially available from Kuraray Company, Ltd., Osaka, Japan.

[0050] Preferably, the binder is present in an amount of about 1% to about 35% by weight, more preferably about 3% to about 10%, and most preferably about 5% to about 7%.

[0051] Additives

[0052] One or more additives either in a particulate, fiber, whisker, or powder form may also be mixed with the nanofibers to aid in the interception of other contaminants or remove moisture and/or odors. Useful additives may include, but are not limited to, metallic particles, activated alumina, activated carbon, silica, polymeric powders and fibers, glass beads or fibers, cellulose fibers, ion-exchange resins, engineered resins, ceramics, zeolites, diatomaceous earth, activated bauxite, fuller's earth, calcium sulfate, super absorbent polymers (SAPs), or combinations thereof. The additives can also be chemically treated to impart microbiological resistance or biocidal capabilities depending upon the particular application. Such additives are preferably present in a sufficient amount such that the air flow in the resultant filter medium is not substantially impeded during use. The amount of additives is dependent upon the particular function of the filtration system.

[0053] Method of Making the HEPA Filter Medium of the Present Invention

[0054] The HEPA filter medium of the present invention may be made in accordance with processes known to one of skill in the art. Dry laid processes include spun bonding, electrospinning, islands-in-sea processes, fibrillated films, melt blowing, and other dry laid processes known to one of skill in the art. An exemplary dry laid process starts with staple fibers, which can be separated by carding into individual fibers and are then laid together to a desired thickness by an aerodynamic process to form an unbonded fiber sheet. The unbonded fibers can then be subjected to hydraulic jets to both fibrillate and hydroentangle the fibers. A similar process can be performed on certain plastic films that when exposed to high pressure jets of water, are converted into webs of fibrillated fibers.

[0055] In a preferred wet laid process, a fiber tow is chopped to a specific length, usually in the range of about 1 millimeter to about 8 millimeters, and in particular, in the range of about 3 millimeters to about 4 millimeters. The chopped fibers are fibrillated in a device having characteristics similar to a blender, or on a large scale, in machines commonly referred to as a hi-low, a beater or a refiner. The fiber is subjected to repetitive stresses, while further chopping and the reduction of fiber length is minimized. As the fibers undergo these stresses, the fibers split as a result of weaknesses between amorphous and crystalline regions and the Canadian Standard Freeness (CSF), which is determined by a method well known in the art, begins to decline. Samples of the resulting pulp can be removed at intervals, and the CSF used as an indirect measure of the extent of fibrillation. While the CSF value is slightly responsive to fiber length, it is strongly responsive to the degree of fiber fibrillation. Thus, the CSF, which is a measure of how easily water may be removed from the pulp, is a suitable means of monitoring the degree of fiber fibrillation. If the surface area is very high, then very little water will be drained from the pulp in a given amount of time and the CSF value will become progressively lower as the fibers fibrillate more extensively. The fibrillated fiber of a given CSF value can be directly used for producing paper or dewatered on a variety of different devices, including a dewatering press or belt, to produce a dewatered pulp. The dewatered pulp can be subsequently used to make a wet-laid paper. Generally, for application in the present invention, a pulp with a CSF of below 45 is used, and preferably, the CSF should be less than or equal to about 2. The fibers can be directly sent to pulp preparation systems to create a furnish suitable for paper making. A finished weight of the filter medium is preferably about 21 to about 65 g/m², preferably about 32 to about 48 g/m² based on a total weight of the filter medium. Fibers that fibrillate in this manner include lyocell and select grades of acrylic, nylon, or other synthetic fibers of incomplete crystallinity.

[0056] The filter medium can be electrostatically charged according to known methods in the art such as, for example, corona discharge treatments or chemical treatment of the nanofibers before or after forming the wet or dry laid paper. Electrostatic charge can also be created by triboelectric effects within nanofiber mixtures of fibers such as, for example, a mixture of acrylic and nylon fibers. Electrostatic charge can provide enhanced interception of microparticulates via electrokinetic interception.

[0057] Exemplary of a wet laid process includes dispersing a pulp of about 2 CSF fibrillated lyocell fibers in water with mixing in a blender to form a furnish with about 1% to about 2% consistency. Other fibers and binders or ingredients can be added to this dispersion. Thereafter, the complete mixture of ingredients can be directly used in the production of wet laid filter medium.

[0058] Improving the FOM of Existing Filter Media Using Nanofiber Coatings

[0059] In another embodiment of the present invention, a topical coating of nanofibers on a substrate such as an existing filter medium has been shown to enhance the FOM of the existing filter medium by at least about 100%. The nanofibers are loaded onto the existing filter medium at a rate of about 0.5 g/m² to about 11.0 g/m², and preferably about 1.08 g/m² using a wet laid process. The nanofibers strongly adhere to the substrate and can also be used to adhere other fibers or ingredients onto the substrate as well by acting as a primary binder. A traditional binder material in solid form may be used to enhance adhesion to the substrate although not necessary in all applications.

[0060] Preferably, acrylic nanofibers or fibrillated lyocell fibers, alone and in combination with microglass fibers, provide substantial improvement in the FOM of the existing filter medium. The nanofibers can be applied during the original production of the filter medium or coated thereon after production at nominal cost given the small amounts of nanofibers needed. Acrylic nanofibers having a Canadian Standard Freeness of less than about 45, preferably less than about 10, and preferably about 2, and a chopped fiber length of about 3 millimeters to about 8 millimeters can be used. Such acrylic fibers are fibrillated according to known methods in the art. Preferred acrylic staple fibers can be obtained from Sterling Fibers, Inc., Pace, Fla., under the trade designation RES-25; Asahi Kasei Corporation, Tokyo, Japan, under the tradename CASHMILON; and/or Mitsubishi Rayon America, New York, N.Y., as a 3 millimeter length fibrillatable staple fiber.

[0061] In an exemplary treatment of existing air filter media with a nanofiber coating, a fiber tow is chopped to about 3 to about 4 millimeters in length as described above and fibrillated. The fibrillated nanofibers, including the microglass fibers if used, are then wet laid on a sheet of the existing filter medium or other supporting substrate.

[0062] The following examples are provided to illustrate the present invention and should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention.

[0063] Aerosol interception and air-flow resistance measurements were made using a Model TDA-100P available from Air Techniques, International of Owings Mill, Md. A monodispersion of 0.18 micron oil aerosol particles were was used in the studies. The flow rate was 32 slpm. Tensile strength was measured using a mechanical test station available from Tinius Olsen Testing Machine Company, Inc. of Horsham, Pa. The thickness of the HEPA filter medium or the nanofiber coating on a support layer shown below does not take into account the thickness of any supporting substrate.

[0064] Hand sheets of the HEPA filter medium of the present invention were prepared in accordance with the following general procedure. Materials were weighed out and blended with 2.0 L deionized water for at least 3 minutes in a stainless steel Waring blender. When microglass fibers were used, they were blended separately for about 3 minutes prior to mixing with the nanofibers and binder, if present. The fiber mixture was poured into a 30.530.5 cm² stainless steel FORMAX paper making deckle with a sheet of REEMAY 2004 nonwoven laid over the 100 mesh base screen as a support layer. The deckle was filled to a total of about 12 L of water containing the various fibers. A 30.530.5 cm² stainless steel agitator plate having 60 holes of 2 cm diameter was used to plunge the fiber mixture up and down from top to bottom about 8 to 10 times. The water was removed from the fiber mixture by pulling a slight vacuum below the deckle to cause the fibers to form on the REEMAY nonwoven. Once the bulk of the water is removed, supplemental dewatering is accomplished with a vacuum pump to remove additional excess moisture and to create a relatively smooth, flat, fairly thin paper-like sheet. The resulting sheet is separated from the screen and combined with a blotter sheet on both top and bottom. The combination of sheets is gently rolled with a 2.27 kg marble rolling pin to remove excess water and smooth out the top surface of the sheet. The sheet is then placed between two fresh and dry blotter sheets and placed on a FORMAX sheet dryer for about 10 to about 15 minutes at about 120 C. The dried filter medium is separated from the blotter sheets and directly heated on the FORMAX sheet dryer for about 5 minutes on each side to activate any binder present.

[0065] In examples where the nanofibers are coated onto a filter medium or other coarse substrate, the deckle is lined with the selected filter medium or substrate rather than the REEMAY nonwoven and the nanofibers are wet laid thereon as described previously.

[0066] HEPA Filter Media with Fibrillated Lyocell and Microglass Nanofibers

[0067] These examples illustrate the performance of HEPA filter media made with fibrillated lyocell nanofibers having a Canadian Standard Freeness of about 8 in an aqueous dispersion admixed with microglass fibers having a fiber diameter of 0.65 microns available from Johns Manville Company of Denver, Colo., under the trade designation FIBREGLASS 106. Composition and characteristics of the filter media are shown in Tables I and II.

	TABLE I
			Tensile Strength
	Sheet		( 50 in/min)
	Lyocell	Weight	Thickness	%	P	Force	Extension
Ex.	(wt. %)	(g)	(mm)	Efficiency	(mm H2O)	(kg/ft)	(mm)
1	30	2.8	0.2159	99.963	29.8	1.110	2.340
2	25	4.5	0.2921	100	48.9	1.150	1.930

[0068] HEPA Filter Media with Fibrillated Lyocell and Microglass Nanofibers

[0069] Examples 3 through 7 were made with fibrillated lyocell nanofibers having a Canadian Standard Freeness of about 2 in an aqueous dispersion admixed with FIBREGLASS 106 microglass fibers. KURALON polyvinyl acetate (PVA), commercially available from Kuraray Company, Ltd., Osaka, Japan, was used as a binder in these and examples below. Example 3 further included MICROTHENE Grade FN510 as a binder. The MICROTHENE contains 0.5% by wt. amorphous precipitated silica. Compositions are shown in Table II. Characteristics of the filter media are shown in Table III.

TABLE II
	Lyocell	Glass	PVA	FN510
Ex.	(wt. %)	(wt. %)	(wt. %)	(wt. %)
3	5	85	7.5	7.5
4	2.5	90	7.5
5	2.5	92.5	5
6	2	95	3
7	2	95	3

[0070]

	TABLE III
			Tensile Strength
	Sheet		( 50 in/min)
	Lyocell	Weight	Thickness	%	P	Force	Extension
Ex.	(wt. %)	(g/ft2)	(mm)	Efficiency	(mm H2O)	(kg/ft)	(mm)
3	5	4.0	0.2413	99.969	36.7	1.170	1.025
4	2.5	4.5	0.2540	99.966	35.57	2.938	1.943
5	2.5.	4.5	0.2794	99.975	32.20	1.938	1.469
6	2	4.5	0.2794	99.979	30.40	1.608	1.227
7	2	4.5	0.2540	99.9945	33.57	1.073	0.973

[0071] The HEPA filter media of Examples 1 through 7 show excellent efficiency in capturing 0.18 micron aerosol particles at a thickness significantly less than traditional HEPA materials.

[0072] HEPA Filter Media with CSF 2 Fibrillated Lyocell and Microglass Nanofibers

[0073] These examples further show the performance of the HEPA filter media of the present invention made with fibrillated lyocell nanofibers and FIBREGLASS 106 microglass fibers without binder and with varying amounts of different binders as shown in the legend below. The binders used are PVA and MICROTHENE Grade FN-510 with 0.5% by weight of amorphous precipitated silica based on a total weight of the MICROTHENE and silica.

TABLE IV
	Lyocell	Glass	PVA	FN510
Ex.	(wt. %)	(wt. %)	(wt. %)	(wt. %)
8	2.5	90	7.5
9	2.5	92.5	5
10	2.5	90	7.5
11	10	65		25
12	10	75		15
13	10	80		10
14	7.5	85		7.5
15	5	80	7.5	7.5
16	2.5	90	7.5
17	2.5	92.5	5
18	2.5	95	2.5
19	2	95	3
20	30	70

[0074]

	TABLE V
				Tensile Strength
	Sheet		P	( 50 in/min)
	Weight	Thickness	%	(mm	Force	Extension
Ex.	(g/ft2)	(mm)	Efficiency	H2O)	(kg/ft)	(mm)
8	4.5	0.2413	99.9988	34.30	0.143	1.210
9	4.5	0.2413	99.9983	35.00	0.562	1.625
10	4.23	0.2413	99.9906	37.00	0.3195	0.835
11	5.0	0.2667	99.9945	37.30	0.4770	1.150
12	5.0	0.3302	99.9994	37.60	0.298	1.278
13	5.0	0.3175	99.9996	37.00	0.398	1.645
14	5.0	0.3302	99.9998	38.40	0.2795	1.442
15	4.0	0.2159	99.9810	27.30	0.208	1.310
16	4.0	0.2540	99.9880	29.40	0.251	0.978
17	4.0	0.2413	99.9929	32.80	0.211	0.733
18	4.0	0.2540	99.9870	32.00	0.252	0.735
19	4.0	0.2540	99.9850	33.80	0.446	0.883
20	3.0	0.1397	99.938	27.50	0.727	1.795

[0075] All examples show excellent efficiency in capturing 0.18 micron aerosol particles, and therefore, would exceed the performance of traditional HEPA materials.

[0076] HEPA Filter Media with CSF 2 Fibrillated Lyocell and Microglass Nanofibers with Varying Amounts of PVA Binder

[0077] These examples illustrate the differing performance of the HEPA filter media when made with varying amounts of PVA binder. Compositions of the filter media are shown in Table VI with performance results shown in Table VII.

	TABLE VI
		Lyocell	Glass	PVA
	Ex.	(wt. %)	(wt. %)	(wt. %)
	21	2.5	90	7.5
	22	2.5	90	7.5
	23	2.5	92.5	5
	24	2.5	92.5	5
	25	2.5	95	2.5
	26	2.5	95	2.5
	27	2	95	3
	28	2	95	3
	29	2.5	90	7.5
	30	2.5	92.5	5
	31	2.5	95	2.5
	32	2	95	3
	33	29	70	1
	34	29	70	1
	35	28.5	70	1.5

[0078]

	TABLE VII
				Tensile Strength
	Sheet		P	( 50 in/min)
	Weight	Thickness	%	(mm	Force	Extension
Ex.	(g/ft2)	(mm)	Efficiency	H2O)	(kg/ft)	(mm)
21	4.0	0.3302	99.9270	31.40	0.896	0.868
22	4.0	0.2159	99.9958	29.60	0.176	0.980
23	4.0	0.3429	99.970	32.85	1.043	1.208
24	4.0	0.2159	99.9976	32.00	0.234	1.195
25	4.0	0.2540	99.9900	32.20	0.407	0.628
26	4.0	0.3175	99.9860	32.50	0.876	1.173
27	4.0	0.3048	99.9903	34.90	0.322	0.705
28	4.0	0.2159	99.9961	34.85	0.547	1.730
29	4.5	0.3683	99.9710	36.45	1.561	1.300
30	4.5	0.3810	99.9870	33.25	1.402	1.453
31	4.5	0.3429	99.9956	36.10	0.441	0.778
32	4.5	0.4064	99.9956	37.60	1.011	1.055
33	3.0	0.1778	99.9805	35.63	0.8705	1.158
34	3.0	0.1651	99.9880	35.23	0.629	1.083
35	3.0	0.1829	99.9880	35.23	0.793	1.203

[0079] The examples in Table VII show excellent interception efficiency of 0.18 micron aerosol particles with modest pressure drop.

[0080] Comparison of Pleated and Unpleated HEPA Filter Media with CSF 2 Fibrillated Lyocell and Microglass Nanofibers with Varying Amounts of PVA Binder

[0081] These examples illustrate that the HEPA filter media of the present invention when pleated (denoted by the letter P in Table IX) retain its original unpleated performance. Lyocell nanofibers having a Canadian Standard Freeness of 2 were used in making the filter media. PVA was the binder when used.

	TABLE VIII
		Lyocell	Glass	PVA
	Ex.	(wt. %)	(wt. %)	(wt. %)
	36	29.5	70	0.5
	37	30	70
	38	25	70	5

[0082]

	TABLE IX
				Tensile Strength
	Sheet		P	( 50 in/min)
	Weight	Thickness	%	(mm	Force	Extension
Ex.	(g/ft2)	(mm)	Efficiency	H2O)	(kg/ft)	(mm)
36	3.0	0.1651	99.985	34.95	0.741	1.053
36P			99.985	34.90
37	3.0	0.1651	99.990	36.05	0.756	1.168
37P			99.988	35.3
38	3.0	0.1651	99.988	33.20	0.704	1.965
38P			99.988	33.40

[0083] HEPA Filter Media with CSF 2 Fibrillated Lyocell and Microglass Nanofibers with Varying Amounts of EST-8 Binder

[0084] These examples illustrate the differing performance of the HEPA filter media when varying amounts of EST-8 polyethylene fibers are used as the binder.

TABLE X
	Lyocell	EST-8	Glass		Lyocell	EST-8	Glass
Ex.	(wt. %)	(wt. %)	(wt. %)	Ex.	(wt. %)	(wt. %)	(wt. %)
39	10	15	75	53	10	15	75
40	10	10	80	54	10	10	80
41	15	15	70	55	15	15	70
42	5	25	70	56	5	25	70
43	10	20	70	57	10	20	70
44	10	25	65	58	10	25	65
45	15	25	60	59	15	25	60
46	25	15	60	60	25	15	60
47	20	20	60	61	20	20	60
48	20	20	60	62	20	20	60
49	20	20	60	63	20	20	60
50	10	30	60	64	10	30	60
51	30	10	60	65	30	10	60
52	30	10	60	66	30	10	60

[0085]

	TABLE XI
				Tensile Strength
	Sheet		P	( 50 in/min)
	Weight	Thickness	%	(mm	Force	Extension
Ex.	(g/ft2)	(mm)	Efficiency	H2O)	(kg/ft)	(mm)
39	4.0	0.2667	99.9934	38.40	0.713	1.905
40	4.0	0.2540	99.9972	38.15	0.587	1.430
41	3.5	0.2286	99.9710	32.80	1.010	1.993
42	3.5	0.2032	99.9640	31.20	0.461	1.265
43	3.5	0.1905	99.9710	33.05	0.674	1.803
44	3.5	0.2032	99.9380	32.55	0.926	2.268
45	4.0	0.2032	99.9600	36.60	1.073	2.000
46	3.0	0.1778	99.890	32.60	1.041	1.745
47	3.5	0.2159	99.9630	38.25	1.136	1.740
48	3.0	0.1778	99.880	32.30	1.363	2.070
49	3.25	0.1829	99.890	32.90	1.427	2.216
50	3.5	0.2032	99.880	30.50	0.642	1.598
51	3.25	0.1829	99.964	39.05	1.394	2.055
52	3.0	0.1829	99.944	36.65	1.319	2.090
53	4.0	0.2667	99.9934	38.4	0.713	1.905
54	4.0	0.2540	99.9972	38.15	0.587	1.430
55	3.5	0.2286	99.971	32.80	1.010	1.993
56	3.5	0.2032	99.964	31.2	0.461	1.265
57	3.5	0.1905	99.971	33.05	0.674	1.803
58	3.5	0.2032	99.938	32.55	0.926	2.268
59	4.0	0.2032	99.960	36.60	1.073	2.000
60	3.0	0.1778	99.890	32.60	1.041	1.745
61	3.5	0.2159	99.963	38.25	1.136	1.740
62	3.0	0.1778	99.880	32.3	1.363	2.070
63	3.25	0.1829	99.890	32.90	1.427	2.216
64	3.5	0.2032	99.880	30.5	0.642	1.598
65	3.25	0.1829	99.964	39.05	1.394	2.055
66	3.0	0.1829	99.944	36.65	1.319	2.090

[0086] Comparison of Pleated and Unpleated HEPA Filter Media with CSF 2 Fibrillated Lyocell and Microglass Nanofibers with Varying Amounts of EST-8 Binder

[0087] The following examples compare the performance of the pleated and unpleated HEPA filter media made with 30% by weight lyocell nanofibers, 60% by weight glass microfibers (FIBREGLASS 106), and 10% by weight EST-8 as a binder.

	TABLE XII
				Tensile Strength
	Sheet		P	( 50 in/min)
	Weight	Thickness	%	(mm	Force	Extension
Ex.	(g/ft2)	(mm)	Efficiency	H2O)	(kg/ft)	(mm)
67	3.25	0.1905	99.960	39.45	1.254	1.655
67P			99.963	39.00
68	3.0	0.1651	99.959	38.45	1.348	2.375
68P			99.959	38.70
69	3.25	0.1905	99.960	39.5	1.254	1.655
69P			99.963	39.00
70	3.25	0.1905	99.967	39.65	1.282	1.521
70P			99.971	41.00
71	3.0	0.1651	99.959	38.45	1.348	2.375
71P			99.959	38.65

[0088] Again, the pleated filters show essentially the same performance characteristics as the unpleated filter. All would have excellent interception capabilities of submicron particles since the efficiency tested herein was with 0.18 micron aerosol particles. The tensile strength is also optimal for pleating. The benefits obtained in interception efficiency offsets the slightly higher resistance.

[0089] Improvements in FOM of Existing Filter Media with Nanofiber Coatings

[0090] The following examples illustrate the increase in FOM, and thereby filter performance, of existing filter media loaded with 0.15 g/ft² (dry weight) of nanofibers. All measurements were taken with 0.18 micron aerosol particles at a flow rate of 32 slpm on a 100 cm² jig. The original filter medium is denoted by FM and is defined by its fractional aerosol penetration, air-flow resistance, and FOM. FM1 and FM2 are a nonwovens. In Example 72, original filter medium FM1 was coated with 25% acrylic nanofibers having a Canadian Standard Freeness of about 2, and 75% FIBREGLASS 106 microglass fibers using a wet laid process as described above. The acrylic fibers in Example, 72 were obtained from Mitsubishi Rayon America. In Example 73, the original filter medium is coated with 25% lyocell fibers having a Canadian Standard Freeness of about 2, and 75% FIBREGLASS 106. In Example 74, original filter medium FM1 was coated with 25% fibrillated lyocell nanofibers having a Canadian Standard Freeness of about 2. In Example 75, original filter medium FM2 was coated with 100% acrylic nanofibers also from Mitsubishi Rayon America. As seen in Table VIII, the addition of a small amount of nanofiber to the existing filter media significantly boosts the FOM, thereby enhancing the performance of the filter media.

TABLE XIII
	Fractional	P		Improvement
Ex	Penetration	(mm H2O)	FOM	in FOM
FM1	0.953	0.5	0.0397
72	0.592	2.7	0.0843	112%
73	0.636	1.95	0.1008	154%
74	0.472	2.25	0.1449	265%
FM2	0.950	0.1	0.2328
75	0.736	0.2	0.6656	186%

[0091] Improvements in FOM of Engine Filter Paper with Nanofiber Coatings

[0092] The following examples illustrate the increase in FOM, and thereby filter performance, of an existing filter medium loaded with 1.6 g/m² (dry weight) of nanofibers. The original filter medium, denoted as FM3, is a standard, resin-bonded cellulose filter medium used in standard automotive engine air in-take filters. Penetration was tested with 0.18 micron aerosol particles at a flow rate of 32 splm on a 100 cm² jig. Example 76 was coated with fibrillated lyocell nanofibers having a Canadian Standard Freeness of about 2. Examples 77 and 78 were coated with about 25% fibrillated lyocell nanofibers and about 75% FIBREGLASS 106 microglass fibers. Example 79 was coated with about 25% acrylic nanofibers having a Canadian Standard Freeness of about 2, and about 75% FIBREGLASS 106 microglass fibers. Example 79 used acrylic nanofibers obtained from Mitsubishi Rayon America and fibrillated in 3 millimeter lengths. As shown in Table IX, significant improvements in FOM are obtained with the addition of small amounts of nanofibers coated thereon. Such small amounts of nanofibers are an economical way of improving filter performance for a low cost filter.

TABLE XIV
	Fractional	P		Improvement
Ex	Penetration	(mm H2O)	FOM	in FOM
FM3	0.906	4.1	0.0105
76	0.525	11.9	0.0235	124%
77	0.420	8.25	0.0457	335%
78	0.742	7.85	0.0476	353%
79	0.405	8.2	0.0478	355%

[0093] While the present invention has been particularly described, in conjunction with a specific preferred embodiment, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art in light of the foregoing description. It is, therefore, contemplated that the appended claims will embrace any such alternatives, modifications and variations as falling within the true scope and spirit of the present invention.