Air Filter Testing and Evaluation
May 13, 2025, Tuesday
8:00 AM – 10:00 AM ET, USA
$USD 350
$USD 175 (Member Only)
Course Objective
This course provides a foundational and practical understanding of air filter testing and evaluation. It introduces key principles of air filtration testing, outlines commonly used test methods, and highlights their applications across a range of industries. Participants will explore essential filtration terminology and gain insight into the broad spectrum of available test methods. Emphasis will be placed on critical performance metrics such as filtration efficiency, pressure drop, dust-holding capacity, and service life, along with the variables that influence test outcomes.
The course includes an in-depth overview of global air filtration/cleaning standards, including ASHRAE 52.2, 185, ISO 16890, and ISO 29463 and delves into ASHRAE Standard 241, a new Standard that allows use of various methods of filtration and air cleaning. Recent developments, emerging trends, and future opportunities in air filtration testing will be explored in a closing panel discussion featuring leading industry experts.
Course Outline
1. Introduction to Air Filtration Testing
General concepts/basic objectives
Core principles of air filtration testing
Key filtration terminology and definitions
2. Air Filtration testing methodologies
Gravimetric and optical particle counting methods
Laboratory vs. field testing
Filter testing for particulate vs. gas-phase removal
Static vs. dynamic test conditions
3. Critical Performance Metrics
Filtration efficiency: MPPS and overall efficiency
Pressure drop and its impact on energy use
Dust-holding capacity and loading curves
Service life estimation and durability factors
Variables influencing test results (humidity, temperature, velocity, etc.)
4. Overview of Global Standards
ASHRAE 52.2: Particle-size efficiency and MERV ratings
ISO 16890: Global standard for general ventilation filters
ISO 29463: High-efficiency filter classification (EPA, HEPA, ULPA)
ASHRAE 145: Gas-phase filter testing for contaminant removal efficiency
ASHRAE 185: Biocidal effectiveness of UV-C systems
ASHRAE Standard 241: Control of Infectious Aerosols Through Clean Air Delivery
Others for industrial dust removal, transportation, personal protection, etc.
5. New Developments, Emerging Trends and Opportunities (Panel Discussion and Q&A)
New tests in air filtration and systems (Al Vatine)
Air Filter Energy Consumption, Sustainability, and Outlook
Impact of AI, IoT, and automation on test equipment
Emerging Trends and Opportunities
Instructor Biography
Ms. Kathleen Owen
Instructor
Ms. Owen, , ASHRAE Fellow and Distinguished Lecturer, is an expert in air filter/cleaner filtration efficiency and test method development. She is an ASHRAE Standard 241 & EHC member, Chair of SPC 185.5 and TG2.RAST, Past Chair of ASHRAE 52.2 and SPCC 145. She has more than 30 years in air cleaner testing and method development as well as several areas of IAQ and aerosol research. She also developed chamber test methods for gases and bioaerosols based, in large part, on the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers (AHAM) CADR test method.She ran the air cleaner testing lab at RTI for over 20 years and is now a consultant. She earned her B.S. in Chemical Engineering from North Carolina State University and her M.S. in Air Pollution Control Engineering from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Mr. Al Vatine
Panelist
Mr. Vatine is a globally well-recognized expert in various air filter testing and evaluation. He studied biology at Macalester College and graduated in Pathology at the University of Minnesota, USA. He started LMS Technologies in 1996 in response to the increasing demand from the industry for filter measurement. Al has over 35 years of experience in comprehensive air filtration testing, test equipment design, research and development. The company is establishing the core facility for fiberization, filtration, nozzle design, and filtration research and development. They have successfully designed the largest test system with a capacity of 25,000 CFM and built-in back pulse, rain, sand storm, ice pulse removal, 99% humidity, and saltwater migration testing capability. This system provides realistic test data for gas turbines and large engine intake filters used in the aerospace and defense industry.
Dr. Vincent Hu
Panelist
Dr. Vincent Hu is Director of Advanced Filtration Center (AFC), Taiwan Textile Research Institute (TTRI, Taiwan). Dr. Hu has over 20 years experience in filter testing and evaluation for varous air and liquid applications, such as HVAC, Gas turbine, Fuel,hydraulic, lube oil, turbility, particle and pore size distribution, etc. He is the head of Adanced Filtration Center, an accredited filter test lab with comprehensive testing capacities at the Taiwan Textile Research Institute (TTRI) located in in Taipei, Taiwan. He is also experienced in building quality control capabilities to monitor filter production processes. Dr. Hu serves as the Executive Director of the Taiwan Filtration and Separation Society (TFS), Director of Taiwan Cleaning Technology Association, and WFI Advisory Board Member.
Panelists
Mr. Nick Agopian is President of Reviveaire, USA. With 30+ years of Filtration, HVAC & energy-recovery experience, Nick focuses on Indoor Air Quality and improving the human condition indoors. Nick’s has held executive positions of VP for various businesses like Circul-Aire, Dectron Internationale, President and General Manager at SEMCO, a Fläkt Woods company, and Vice President at RenewAire. Nick is highly involved with ASHRAE,where he sits on numerous technical committees, such as ASHRAE 62.1 & 62.2, ASHRAE Position Document - Human Health and Wellness in the Built Environment, TC 2.3, SPC 145P, TRG4.IAQP, TG 9, etc. He’s also served on a special board for filtration part of the National Research Council of Canada (NRC), Additionally, he served on the Board of Directors for the Missouri Innovation Center’s Life Sciences Business Incubator, Board of the local Chamber of Commerce, and Chairman of the Board for the Home Ventilating Institute. A committed lifelong learner, Agopian’s undergrad was in Mechanical Systems Engineering from Vanier, Quebec, Canada, and an International M.B.A. from Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business.
Ms. Cheah Wei Ng, R&D Director APAC, Camfil, is a technical expert in air filtration technology with over 20 years of experience in the industry. Holding a MSc. in Chemical Engineering, she has worked extensively across China, Malaysia, and the United States, bringing a rich, global perspective to her work. Specializing in both particle and molecular filtration, Cheah Wei is renowned for her advanced research and development in optimizing filtration systems and pioneering new technologies. Her contributions include advance patents, reflecting her innovative approach and technical leadership. In addition to her industry work, she has collaborated with universities on new product development, contributing to both applied research and scholarly publications. This academic collaboration highlights her dedication to advancing knowledge and fostering innovation in air filtration. Active in ISO committees, she plays a key role in working groups focused on the creation and refinement of new standards. Her efforts ensure that her work aligns with global best practices and regulatory requirements, further underscoring her impact in the field. Her contribution in filter industry is marked by a steadfast commitment to innovation and excellence, driving advancements that significantly enhance air quality and environmental sustainability.
Dr. Jenny Berens, Director, FFT Industrial, Filter Engineering, Freudenberg Filtration Technologies, Noth America, earned her M. Sc. in Chemical Engineering at Kungliga Tekniska Hogskolan, Stockholm Sweden, and her Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering at University of Kentucky, KY, USA. After postdoc work at the Valvoline Research Center in Lexington KY, she has continued to dedicate her career to R&D, specializing in material technology, particulate science, and filtration. Since 2017, Dr. Berens has been employed by Freudenberg Filtration Technologies. Dr. Berens is actively contributing to industry guidelines at ASHRAE and ISO and is currently serving as a board member on the TC2.4 (Particulate Air Contaminants and Particulate Contaminant Removal Equipment) and the ASHRAE 52.2 (Method of Testing General Ventilation Air-Cleaning Devices for Removal Efficiency by Particle Size) committees as well as a member of the ISO/TC US TAG 142 - Cleaning equipment for air and other gases.
Mr. Chris Muller, ASHRAE Distinguished Lecturer, Director IEQ Technical Services of AAF International, is recognized globally as an expert in indoor/environmental air quality, filtration and enhanced air cleaning systems, and gas-phase air filtration technology with demonstrated competencies in product development and applications. With more than 30 years in the filtration industry, he has written and spoken extensively on these and related topics with more than 250 articles and peer-reviewed papers, more than 150 seminars, and 8 handbooks to his credit. He has been a driving force on multiple industry association and technical committees, improving awareness and standards in the industry, especially in the field of gas-phase air filtration and indoor environmental air quality. He co-authored ASHRAE’s Position Document on Filtration and Air Cleaning, ASHRAE Guideline 42P: Indoor Air Quality in Commercial and Institutional Buildings, and ASHRAE Standard 62.1 User’s Manual.