Sealed MERV 13-16 Filter for Swine Air Filtration

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Solution Overview

Problem

The swine industry faces challenges in preventing the airborne transmission of PRRS-virus due to the high energy consumption and cost associated with conventional high-efficiency air filters, which have high resistance to airflow and are not economically viable for use in swine farms and other animal enclosures.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of fully sealed air filters with a MERV 13 to MERV 16 efficiency rating and a pressure drop between 0.25 to 1.00 inches water gauge at 2000 CFM, designed to maintain particle separation efficiency even at lower airflow rates, using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis to ensure the filters prevent the detection of live PRRS-virus, and retrofitted into existing animal enclosures to reduce airborne disease transmission.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional high efficiency air filters are used to prevent PRRS-virus transmission, then virus filtration effectiveness is improved, but energy consumption and operational cost increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevirus filtration effectivenessVSAvoidenergy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the efficiency parameter from conventional high efficiency (MERV 17-20) to moderate efficiency (MERV 13-16), which reduces airflow resistance and energy consumption while still achieving sufficient virus filtration when combined with the sealed configuration that prevents bypass leakage

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the filtration system into two functional components: the filter media itself (MERV 13-16) and the sealed housing structure. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently - the filter media for adequate filtration and the seal for preventing bypass, together achieving high effectiveness at lower energy cost

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If conventional high efficiency air filters are used to prevent PRRS-virus transmission, then virus filtration effectiveness is improved, but operational cost increases due to filter replacement and maintenance

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevirus filtration effectivenessVSAvoidoperational cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

By reducing the efficiency rating from MERV 17-20 to MERV 13-16, the patent selects filter media that is inherently less expensive to manufacture and replace, directly reducing operational costs while maintaining adequate virus filtration capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent accepts that filters at MERV 13-16 may need more frequent replacement than higher efficiency filters, but the lower unit cost and reduced energy consumption offset these expenses, making the overall operational cost more economical

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Use of energy by moving object

If MERV 13 to MERV 16 filters are used, then energy consumption is reduced, but particle separation efficiency may be insufficient to prevent virus detection

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy consumptionVSAvoidparticle separation efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements preliminary sealing of all potential bypass paths before air reaches the filter media. This preliminary action ensures that air must pass through the MERV 13-16 filter media, allowing these moderately efficient filters to achieve virus-level filtration effectiveness that would otherwise require much higher efficiency (and more expensive) filters

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This solution provides economical and effective filtration, reducing the risk of airborne disease transmission while maintaining airflow efficiency, allowing existing ventilation systems to operate without significant energy increases or fan replacement, thus offering a practical and cost-effective solution for swine farms and other animal enclosures.

Implementation Method 1

removing air from the internal volume via at least one exhaust fan

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure difference: Pressure Gradient

Implementation Method 2

filtering air being pulled into the enclosure by the at least one exhaust fan using a fully sealed filter, the fully sealed filter having particle separation sufficiently efficient to prevent detection of live (PRRS-) virus

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhysical filtration: Filter (physical)

Data Source

PatentUS9043989B2Method and apparatus for providing clean air to animal enclosures

Publication Date: 2015.06.02 CAMFIL USA INC

AI summary

A method and apparatus for economically filtering air into swine farms and other animal enclosures are provided. Advantageously, the invention substantially reduces the risk to airborne transfer of disease into animal enclosures. In one embodiment, a method for providing clean air to an animal enclosure includes providing an animal enclosure having an animal containing volume for containing a plurality of animals, removing air from the internal volume via at least one exhaust fan, and filtering air being pulled into the enclosure by the at least one exhaust fan using a fully sealed filter, the fully sealed filter having a particle separation sufficiently efficient to prevent detection of live (PRRS-) virus downstream of the filter, using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis of samples collected with a cyclonic aerosol collector.